Page 113 of Strut

“Maybe.” I wasn’t so sure. Even after Darcy’s admission of guilt and conviction for illegally filming several models, he continued to deny he’d sexually assaultedanyone, and we couldn’t prove otherwise. But the press had somehow gotten hold of my police statement and they kept the story alive for months. Not all of it had been in my favour. I became a recognised face in the industry for all the wrong reasons, and it had taken a long time for brands and labels to take a chance on me again. Once a whistle-blower and all that.

Signing a contract with Mel didn’t automatically make me flavour of the month either, and six months later I was still working my way back into the business. I might’ve sunk into obscurity altogether if it hadn’t been for the staunch support of Hunter. He mopped the tears of frustration and handed out pep talks like a pro. He’d really come through.

And then there’d been Berlini. When the prosecutor formally pressed charges against Darcy, Berlini immediately released him pending the results of the court case, and approached me with an apology and another invitation for a test shoot—this time with Hunter as the photographer. There was something to be said about their old-fashioned approach to business.

Hunter and I had been gobsmacked. A month later, Berlini optioned me for an ad campaign the following year, and somehow, I found myself the new brand face of Berlini.

That prize contract had made all the difference to me staying in modelling, in New York, and a chance to build back my career. But there was no immediate flood of bookings. People were still wary. It took time. But it was getting there.

I spent three months with Berlini as practically my only major booking, but that changed, slowly. I worked extra shifts in Color and helped Hunter between castings. He’d employed Gary as his assistant and the two got along well. Hunter had lost a few clients and his income had taken a hit, but his view was that he didn’t want them anyway if that’s how they rolled.

The slower pace had given us time to get to know New York City and each other in satisfying depth and to plan for what we wanted once my modelling career was over—mid-thirties max more than likely. It wasourplan.Ourfuture. And it was part of the reason we were back in New Zealand. A huge shift in direction that would see us jet-setting between the two countries more than ever.

This was something Hunter and I had discussed and taken on together, and the idea still shocked me. But I’d given up worrying. Given up thinking Hunter would find this couple thing all too much one day and simply say he was done. Six months after we first decided to give things between us a shot, we were stronger than ever. I thought of what was tucked inside my waistband and goosebumps rippled over my body.

“Smile.” Hunter trailed the back of his fingers down my face. “This is a good day, remember? A good night. A homecoming. A show. A new business. And there’s us. You and me, together. There’s a lot to celebrate.”

A wide smile broke over my face because he was right. Fuck the rest. And fuck my lipstick. I went up on my toes and kissed him, much to his surprise.

“Mmm.” He licked his lips. “Strawberry?”

I shook my head. “Not even close. Mango.”

He frowned. “Really?”

“Really.” I scritched my nails along his jaw. “God, that scruff of yours is like fucking catnip. Did Mel like the new offices?”

And there was that grin again. “She loved them. Who’d have thought we’d be running a fucking modelling agency? That business degree of yours is going to come in pretty damn handy.”

“More importantly, who’d have thought we’d be leasing the apartment above Rhys’s store after you sold your own damn place on the quiet?” I shot him a scowl.

Hunter laughed. “I wanted this business with you more than I wanted to keep the apartment. Besides, while we’re flying back and forth, we don’t need a big place. Plus, Rhys and Kip will keep an eye on it when we’re out of town. When the time’s right, you and I can buy our own place.”

I couldn’t hide the smile that burst across my face. “Ourplace. Mmm. I like the sound of that.” I hesitated. “It’s gonna work, right? We haven’t done something stupid partnering with Mel?”

Hunter gently knuckled my cheek. “Of course, it’s going to work. Your modelling name and business know-how. My photography skills with Gary as backup when I’m not there. Mel’s business name, with its ethical stance and expertise. And Tim’s... well Tim’s enthusiasm for the whole business idea—God help us—we’ve got this, sweetheart. If we can’t do it and do it better and safer than any other agency in Australasia, then no one can.”

He took my finger from my mouth where I’d started chewing on a nail.

I pouted. “You sound so sure.”

“I am.” His mouth tipped into a broad grin. “Mel’s changing the face of modelling agencies and people are starting to listen. It’s smart to align with that. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, and it gives us a foot in New York and in New Zealand. When she first proposed the idea, it just clicked. An agency that actually cares and looks after their clients in an industry that mostly doesn’t give a shit about its main income drivers. If you were a parent, or a model starting out, wouldn’t you want to sign with an agency like that?”

I slowly let out the partial breath I’d been holding, and my shoulders relaxed. “You’re right. And there’s nothing else out there like it. We can do this.”

“And he’s back.” Hunter’s gaze locked onto mine. “I love you, Alec.”

And oh god, there was that look. Like I hung the fucking moon. The look that lit up my heart. “Stop it.” I glanced around, dabbing at my eye. “You’ll make me smudge my makeup.”

“I intend to do a lot more than that, later.” He slipped a cool hand around my waist.

“Hunter!” I grabbed his hand. “Rhys will kill me if I get a mark on this. I’m on in—shit what’s the time?”

“You’ve got five minutes.”

“Thank Christ. Now, keep your hands to yourself... until later.” I winked and shoved his arm aside just as the music through the wall started to fade, signalling the end of the show before mine. “Okay, now you know what to do, right?” I checked with Hunter, and he nodded. “Good.” I breathed out long and slow.

Rhys arrived at my side. “Come on, my beauty, you’re almost on. Sorry, Hunter.” Rhys steered me to where his models were lined up and shot me to the front, just ahead of Daniel, an older model I’d met at fashion week in Auckland. I was openingandclosing for Rhys’s show.

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