Page 16 of Falling into Place
“Okay.”
“I’m not sure how much you’re wanting to buy. I assume Sasha wants me to dress you for the initial photos, any others that are taken for articles, and for your dates. Four months, right? How many do you think you’ll go on?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I haven’t done this in a while, and I’ve never been on one of these apps. Maybe a couple?”
Carly made a strange noise. “I’d say you could meet as many women as you want.”
“Is flattery part of the Mode package?” He wasn’t complaining, just wondering.
“I’m just trying to prepare you. You could have several dates a week.”
He shuddered internally. “I just want to help putLiveOKCback on track.”
She tipped her head to the side. “Do you not want to fall in love? You’re not in this for yourself even a little?”
“I don’t know,” he answered honestly.
She regarded him for a moment, and boy, did he want to know what she was thinking.
“I only ask because if you don’t want to spring for a completely new wardrobe, I need to know what I’m starting with. You could send me pictures, or I could stop by sometime to take a look in your closet. If you’d rather skip that step, I can just work off what we’ve talked about today, but let me know as soon as you can. Sasha wants the first photo shoot to happen pretty quick.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Is this a ploy to get in there and throw out everything you don’t like? Because Sasha’s been trying to do that for years, and I’m not giving in now.”
She laughed. “I promise I won’t get rid of anything without your express approval. You’d be surprised how much I can do with the things people already have. Sometimes it just takes a little creativity.”
“I do science, remember? Repetitive, analytical, and concrete are my comfort zone. Pretty much the exact opposite of creative.”
“Lucky for you, I can do both.”
He thought for a few seconds. “Want to do it now?”
“Now?”
He shrugged. “Might as well, if you’re not busy.”
She tapped her phone and glanced at the illuminated screen, presumably to check the time.
A photo appeared, a candid shot of Carly’s face slightly angled away from the camera as she looked at the ocean beyond. A colorful sunset lit up the sky behind her, breathtaking even in the picture, but it was the content, peaceful smile on her face that caught his eye.
When was the last time he’d looked that happy?
Hell, when was the last time he’dbeenthat happy?
“That’s a cool picture.”
“Oh, thanks. My boyfriend took it.” She paused as she regarded the screen, a small frown wrinkling her brow. Shaking her head slightly, her expression cleared. “I don’t know why I just said that. Benjamin’s not my boyfriend anymore—he’s my ex, now. Habit, I guess.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, and it almost sounded like a question. Was that the appropriate response here? If she was still calling him her boyfriend by default, it must have been recent.
She shrugged. “It’s ... fine. It is what it is. He’s in Seoul for an internship, and we agreed we didn’t want to do the long-distance thing.”
“Ah,” he said, as if he were familiar with the mechanics of a major relationship decision like that.
“Anyway,” she said. “I’m good to do it now if you are.”
“Sure.”
“Great.” She gathered her things and stood. “Let’s get out of here.”
