Page 28 of Marc

My muscles twitch as my breathing gets deeper.

Let the games begin.

Chapter Seven

STACI

A pangof heartache fills my chest as soon as Marc walks out of the studio through the back door.

My heart constricts almost as if I am already missing him being nearby me.

What did he mean he will see me later?

Are we going to make plans to meet up tonight?

Is this how fake dating is?

Like real dating with hanging out and meeting up after work?

Kelly clears his throat beside me and points to the computer screen. “How can I take better photos than these?”

The pictures he’s pointing at aren’t bad considering his lack of experience, but they aren’t the same quality as Marc’s and Adam’s.

With more practice and experience, he could be just as good.

“Well, it’s all about the pose and knowing whatyour body’s best angles are. Once you find your best poses, it becomes a lot easier.”

He nods his head as if he is soaking up the advice.

“Also, practicing in front of a mirror couldn’t hurt. You could practice your facial expressions and nail down some sexy, smoldering looks. That’s usually what executives want more than funny ones, but I try to send a mixture.”

I want to add that bulking up wouldn’t hurt, but not all models are ripped, like Marc.

Plus, I wouldn’t want someone to take Marc’s place.

He was one of my first models when I opened this studio after my divorce was finalized. I don’t know how I could continue being a photographer if Marc wasn’t one of my clients.

Not to mention if he wasn’t here when Jared showed up.

I don’t even want to think of that possibility. The scars are still fresh in my mind.

“How long do you think it will take me to become as good as Adam and Marc? They seem to be pretty decent at this and from what I’ve heard, they always have gigs.”

I can’t put a time limit on when his career will be as successful as Marc’s. That is only up to him and how much time he puts into practicing his poses and how photogenic he is.

“I don’t think it will take as long as you are imagining. If you practice on your own and takeadvice from your photographers, then you will become an expert in no time.”

Even though he has needed more pointers and help than most models that come through here, his attitude, eagerness to learn, and willingness to take advice has put him among the best that I’ve photographed.

He walks back to the muslin backdrop and tries a different pose as Kat walks over to me.

Her voice is low, like she’s trying to whisper, but it’s not a whisper by any account. “I’m just going to watch them for a few, if you are okay with that.”

“Of course, I’m okay with that.”

Kat used to pull a chair up and watch all the time, but that was before we got busier and she had more models to help get ready.

I love getting others’ perspective on things. Plus, she has a good relationship with all the models since she spends a lot of time talking with them and getting to know them.

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