Page 84 of Bad Influence
Could he be referring to the chemistry between us?The night of the kiss had been playing in my mind, over and over, like the opening credits of the telenovela I seemed to have found myself accidentally starring in. Each time the memory was embellished in places; more passionate thanthe last. Jimi was the human Rubik’s cube I was struggling to solve.
‘These photos better be worth it,’ Mandy muttered belligerently, as I opened the door to the Winnebago and ushered her inside. She was shivering.
My phone pinged with a message, it was Rob.Are you okay?
Not really, I thought.
‘Give me a minute, I need to sort myself out,’ Mandy said, indicating I should leave, so I dutifully closed the door behind her and waited outside like a bedraggled sentry.
I used the time to text Rob back.I’m focusing on the bonus.
‘Coffee run!’ Blair announced from behind me, which was the best thing I had heard anyone say all day. It really was raw-cold, and the sooner we could get this shoot done, the quicker I could get back to the warmth of the house and call Rob.
‘Check if Mandy wants a decaf Americano, would you?’ Blair called out to me.
I turned back towards the Winnebago and opened the door just wide enough to poke my head inside and take her order. ‘Mandy, would you—’
The sight which greeted me made me stop in my tracks.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Inside the Winnebago at East Head viewpoint, Mandy turned towards me. Our eyes locked: mine, wide with astonishment, hers narrow with fear.
‘Oh shhhit,’ she said slowly, in a tone that made my throat tighten.
I took in the sight before me. This was a private moment clearly not intended for me to see. It crossed my mind that I should just leave, pretending I hadn’t noticed anything. But it was too late. There was no mistaking what I was looking at.
‘So now you know,’ said Mandy, quietly.
‘I, I don’t know what to say,’ I stammered.
An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment, as my brain tried to compute what this meant.
‘Does Jose know?’ I asked.
‘Of course.’
‘Julie-Ann?’
‘Yes. Sit down.’
I walked towards her.
The sheer David Koma dress was pulled up around Mandy’s waist and she was holding what was obviouslya fake pregnant belly in her left hand. It looked like it was made of silicone, the skin tone matching hers perfectly. It was attached to a band of stretchy fabric, which was presumably what was causing her discomfort around the waist as she posed for the photos.
She turned and sat down on the upholstered bench seat just behind her, placing the bump next to her. It was quite dark in there, as the curtains were all closed to give privacy while she got changed, and the lights around the vanity mirror in the middle of the space were dim. It was a melancholy sight.
‘Are you sure you don’t want me to go?’ I asked, feeling the grip of nervousness. ‘I can pretend I—’
‘Please sit,’ she commanded. ‘I need to explain.’
I joined her, sitting on a chair close to where she was positioned.
‘There is a baby,’ she said softly.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
‘It’s being carried by a surrogate. She’s called Natalia and she’s been incredible. She’s an earth angel, to be more precise.’
