Page 57 of Take Hold of Me

“I’m sorry. Come here.” He opens his arms and I crawl into his lap. How can someone so open and sweet to me be so closed off from the rest of the world?

“Want to talk about it?”

“Llitzy House did not renew with me. They hired her. It is not just a rumor after all.”

He strokes my back. “And how does that make you feel?”

I consider his question. “I feel.” I inventory my feelings. I am not tearing my hair out, crying or screaming in anguish. “Disappointed. Like I let my Agency down. But, also relieved. How can that be?”

He squeezes me. “You didn’t let anyone down. If anything, your Agency didn’t fight hard enough for you. And as for feeling relieved, well, maybe you need a break.”

“A break? From modeling? It is who I am.”

“You’ve said that before, and I have to disagree. It’s notwhoyou are, it’swhatyou do. How long have you been modeling?”

“Ten years.”

“That’s a long time.”

I cock my head at him. “It is. A lot of frequent flier miles.”

He smiles. “Not to mention constantly watching everything you eat, exercising all the time. Being perfect for the paparazzi.” He strokes my hair. “Missing important events.”

He is voicing thoughts I have not had the courage to even think. My voice drops. “I like being a model.”

“I’m sure you do. And you’re great at it. But, I’ve been watching you over these past two weeks. You know the most excitement I saw from you when you were working?” I shake my head. “When you saw the starfish family.”

“They were cute.”

“It’s okay to make changes.”

“Changes? What else can I do?”

“I don’t know what’s in here.” He taps my heart. “I remember when we went dancing at the club’s grand opening and met Lizzie. You two talked about her business. Did she always want to design furniture?”

“I do not know. But her stuff is amazing.” I bite my lip. Dare I say it? Wills squeezes me again. In a tiny voice, I admit, “I like giving style advice.”

He kisses my forehead. “I bet you’re fantastic at it.”

A fluttery feeling takes over my chest. “Well, my Instagram followers appreciate it. Although, they do not know it is me.” At his puzzled look, I elaborate. “I set up the account under a different name. I did not want to attract followers because of my name. I wanted them to like the advice.”

He chuckles. “My girl is smart.”

My girl. I like that.

“How many followers do you have?

I shrug. “Somewhere around a hundred thousand.”

He chuckles. “That’s all?”

I play with his fingertips. “I love helping people make tweaks to their outfits. Did you know I am the spokesmodel for the charity Wear Your Win? It helps people who have been out of the workforce to dress for interviews.”

“Sounds right up your alley.”

“I love it.” My eyes land on the crumpled tabloid. “But what can I do with this skill?”

“I’m sure there are plenty of outlets. Haven’t you been contacted as a fashion influencer for your Instagram account?”

“Oui. But, of course, I could not take them up on any offers given who I really am.”

“Sounds like you have a gift for helping other people, Ems. Maybe that’s what you need to focus on next. You’re exactly what I’ve been calling you all this time, an Angel in disguise.”

He says it with a smile, but his words have me thinking that the life I am returning to might not be the one I left just days ago.

---