Page 45 of Spin The Bottle
She smiles, looking down at her computer. “Max is still setting things up. I’m sure he’ll love to see you.”
Max is one of the best photographers I’ve worked with. Kind too, which is hard to find in this line of work.
I pull out a little Sephora bag and prop it on her desk. Her eyes drop to the bag, then back at me. My shoulders lift in a shrug. “I had extras,” I lie. “I need someone to get it off my hands.” I push the bag towards her, noting how her eyes track the movement. “Do you want it?”
Her eyes hood, trying hard to keep her bright pink lips pursed, but she ultimately fails, a smile growing on her face. “Leila,” she scolds. “We both know you did not have extras.” Her head dips to look inside the bag and her eyes widen. “Oh my. Is that the new lipstick I’ve been seeing everywhere?” Her hand dips inside, picking up the small tube. “Maybe I can take it off your hands,” she says, lifting her eyes to look at me before she admires the rest of the products.
I laugh. “You’re welcome,” I say. “Do you know if any of the other girls are here yet?”
She rolls her eyes. “You know they like to be fashionably late,” she tells me, opening one of the perfume boxes. “They’ll probably all come together giggling in about thirty minutes.” She sprays the mini bottle, taking a whiff. Her eyes roll back as she inhales. “Seriously, Leila. You’re the best.”
“I had extras, that’s all.” I shrug.
“Right.” She scoffs.
I laugh. “You deserve it.” I shoot her a smile, admiring how she goes crazy for all the crap these companies give me.
She clutches the perfume bottle to her chest, smiles at me and shakes her head in disbelief. “You’re a Godsend. Honestly.”
I wave my hand. “Stop. You’re going to make my ego even bigger,” I joke.
She laughs, setting the bag underneath her desk. “Have fun,” she says.
“I’ll try.” I smile before heading into the elevator. My agent has been begging me to book this gig, I didn’t have many other choices, so I said yes. So far, it’s been fun, but knowing that soon I’m going to have to stand in little to nothing in front of the camera makes my heart race.
The elevator doors open with a ding and I blow out a breath, painting a smile on my face. I take less than two steps when a tap on my shoulder has me turning around. My smile instantly grows when I see who it is.
“Leila,” Lucas says, smiling at me. “God, where have you been?” His arms open, pulling me in for a hug. This guy has been a solid in my life for so long, one of the best people I have met.
I shrug, letting out a laugh. “Not all of us are famous models like you, I’ve been in college.”
It’s hard balancing college and modeling, especially when my agency is in New York. Being able to take time away and catch a flight is nearly impossible. It’s helped that I haven’t had many jobs lined up. Either a blessing or a curse, depending on how you want to look at it.
He pulls back, rolls his eyes. “I’m not famous.”
I let out a scoff. “Sure.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Listen, I haven’t really had a chance to talk to you with all the… press,” he starts, avoiding my eyes.
“You mean the scandals,” I joke.
He shakes his head, letting out a laugh. “You know how they can be.”
“Ruthless,” I finish for him. Some of the headlines about him don’t really paint the best picture, but come on, with that perfectly styled hair of his, and those big brown eyes, what else would you expect?
We’ve been friends for the longest time. We were signed to the same modeling agency, and he was the one and only friend I had when we would do shoots, but Lucas outgrew our agency and now is a very well-known model.
He’s very attractive, and the fact that he’s Brazilian makes it the cherry on top. The frown on his face makes me wonder if he’s really that upset about the headlines, but it isn’t a big deal. It’s impossible to go anywhere without girls swooning the moment he enters the building, it’s expected that he reciprocates.
“Anyway,” Lucas says with a shake of his head. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. I know you’re a private person, and I respect that, but Adriana won’t stop hounding me for your number. I told her I didn’t have it, but she insists that I’m lying. Too smart for her own good.”
My heart warms at the mention of my favorite little girl. She’s the kindest, sweetest soul I’ve ever met.
“She’s uh…” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. “She’s been having some problems with kids at school and I thought,” he shrugs, “I thought you could help her. Maybe give her some advice or…” He shakes his head, blowing out a breath. “I don’t know what to do,” he admits.
I feel my heart break for that little girl. I know exactly what she’s going through, having to put up with comments about her body and having kids laugh in her face. Kids are assholes. The pain wracking through my body must be written all over my face because he’s quick to add, “She’ll be fine, Leila. She’s strong, but I don’t have any experience with this kind of stuff, and I remember how you handled it, and I thought you would be a good choice.”
How I handled it.
