Page 48 of The Model

“Get to work. I’m going to work from here, so you can use my desk.” I was snuggled into a blanket on my comfy couch and didn’t want to move.

I hadn’t had much to smile about lately, but seeing Raine happy made my lips twitch. Pulling my laptop onto my lap, I started my millionth search for the perfect woman who now needed to stand next to Ryder at the Lux.

A couple of hours later, my eyelids started to flutter shut. I’d been staring at my screen nonstop since Raine had gotten up. I hadn’t heard a peep from her, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. I had a feeling Ryder’s agent wasn’t going to be easy to work with, especially not if he had mentioned to her how I thought she should be focusing on the quality and not the quantity of his work.

Raine yelled from my office area, and I had a feeling it had been her who had woken me up. Leaving the warm cocoon of my blanket, I hurried to my feet when it sounded like she was stomping around and growling. Raine was always easygoing, so for her to sound like this was not a good sign. I found Raine with her hands splayed out on my desk, her head tipped down, and what little I could see of her face was beet red.

Sitting down across from her, I asked. “Should I ask?”

Raine shook her head slowly before she looked up at me with murderous eyes. “I called Ryder’s agent, Angie, and at first, I thought I was making some headway with her. She said that Ryder wasn’t taking any more work until the beginning of next year, but if the right opportunity came along, she was sure she could convince him to take the job.” Her face grew redder as she stood stalk still before me, breathing heavily.

After she stood there for a full two minutes and said nothing, I prompted her. “What happened?”

“She asked who I was with,” Raine sat down behind the desk and shook her head. “I was surprised she didn’t ask at the beginning, but the second I said I was your assistant, her tune changed. I know you said to offer anything, but she was asking for more than you’re getting paid for the entire job.”

“As much as I want to tell Ryder the news, I’m not going bankrupt to pay him to be there. Did she give you his email by any chance?” I knew deep down that Raine wouldn’t be this upset if we had a way to contact Ryder.

“No, she kept shutting me down. Do you know if he has a website?”

“If he does, it would be one she put up. It wouldn’t have his actual contact information, but hers.” What was I going to do if I couldn’t get Ryder for the job?

“He needs a new agent.” Raine let out a frustrated sigh.

“I couldn’t agree more. I told him I’d give him the names of ones I’ve worked with that will keep his best interest at heart. I do have to give Angie credit, though. She’s got him out there and made him very sought after, but she has got to know how wearing it is to be constantly traveling.” I felt bad for Ryder, even if he had betrayed me. He had no place to call his own, and I couldn’t imagine having to find a friend’s couch to sleep on when he wasn’t in a hotel.

Raine let out a strange, happy sound. It was a mix between a sigh and a giggle, causing me to cock my head in question. “What was that sound about?”

“You and the look on your face.”

“Please tell me what my face was saying.”

She pursed her lips and shook her head. “I’m not sure you want to know.”

I so wasn’t in the mood for her games. “If I didn’t want to know, I wouldn’t have asked.”

“Fine.” She flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. “You love him, and there’s a very good chance you’ll give him another chance.” She blurted it out and then clamped her mouth shut. Her eyes were wide as she stared back at me.

“I already told you I’d give him the chance to explain, but that doesn’t mean I’ll take him back.” When her eyes lit up, I held my hand up. “Not that we were ever together. All we were doing is fucking when we were in proximity to each other.”

Raine grimaced at my words. “It was more than that, and you know it. While I wasn’t there in Rio, I saw some of your pictures and how you looked when you got home. You were happy.”

“I was happy. I never denied that I liked spending time with Ryder because I did, but I always knew something like this would happen. He’s so young and just starting out. Ryder has a lot of growing to do.”

“That may be true, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t do it with you.”

“It does because I’m not traveling all over the world to spend little bits of time with him only to find him in bed with someone else.”

“Don’t let that picture jade you. I don’t think Ryder would be a cheater, but you have to trust him. Otherwise, your distrust would ruin your relationship.”

“There is no relationship. Please don’t get your or my hopes up when I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.”

Dropping her elbows to the desk, Raine rested her head on top of her hands. “Now you’re the one being dramatic. You’ll see him again, that I can promise you. Today is day one in trying to acquire Ryder Williams. I’ll figure out something, even if I have to set up a fake company email so I can lie to that bitch.”

That wasn’t a bad idea. If we offered enough money and used a different name, Angie would never know. “I think you’re onto something. Angie may never even contact Ryder if she knows it’s me who’s trying to hire him, but if it’s someone else, we might have a shot.”

Raine’s head perked up, and her bright smile came out, making me feel hopeful again. “What are you thinking?”

“We come up with a new name, and I’ll quickly put together a website with some pictures that haven’t been used. Once we come up with a name, I’ll set up a new email address for us.” This could work. I jumped up and rounded my desk, hugging Raine as she sat in shock. “You’re brilliant.”

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