Page 57 of Pick-Up
“Three miles. Why? How many did you run?”
“Six.”
I frown. “That’s excessive. Like, objectively.”
“I like to push myself.”
I would like to push his smug ass too. Into a ravine. Or at least the pool.
He considers me for a beat. “You know, they make earbuds without cords now.”
“You don’t say.”
“Yup. They’re called AirPods and you don’t get tangled in them at the supermarket.”
My cheeks no doubt flush redder at the thought of the cereal aisle. Ethan salutes me. And I consider burrowing my way into the ground.
“It’s so weird,” I say, instead. “It’s almost like I’m an adult human who lives in the world, knows stuff and makes conscious choices for myself.”
“Sure.” He shrugs, dropping his gaze back to his phone. “Just questionable ones.”
I almost lunge for him. A tiny black lizard shoots out from under a bush and stops in front of me, offering a frank look. It seems to favor a measured approach.
“It’s too early for this,” I grumble as I head toward the villa entrance.
“I’m kidding,” says Ethan as I walk away. “I know you’re on top of things.”
I roll my eyes but also can’t help but smirk. With my back to him, he’ll never know.
I am all mixed emotions. I hate this—right?
“I’m so screwed,” I whisper, and walk inside.
The day goes off without a hitch. Give or take eight thousand hitches.
The shoot is meant to begin at one of the unoccupied villas down the row, toward the most secluded end. This space looks a lot like ours, only more expansive—same neutrals accented with pops of unapologetic color. Martin is to be the subject in this primary location, both for the glossy print spread and digital components for the website. Much of the other imagery will depict wild expanses of earth and ocean, uninterrupted vistas, indoor-outdoor spaces, where nature comes in but always wipes her feet at the door. The accompanying feature Stephanie is writing for the magazine is called “Paradise Found,” and it’s all about how new luxury is not about ostentatious glitz and glamour. It’s about unspoiled nature, true quiet and solitude, an intimate place that only, like, three people will ever experience. An Eden that will remain mostly immaculate. Like everything else in high-end editorial, at its core, it’s about wish fulfillment.
The concept that Stephanie has conceived for our supporting video footage is a behind-the-scenes look at this far-flung spot, a true deserted island, before it’s been seen or touched by even the most elite jet-setters. Essentially, we’re filming the print shoot itself, as it’s happening.
Inside the villa, Peter is busy setting up lights and sorting out sound. Jackie is styling the space to her liking, adding and subtracting objects and shifting furniture by inches, then standing back to inspect the larger picture.
The photographer is here too now, taking test shots to get a sense of the lighting. From the back, I can see that he’s wearing an old-school Jane’s Addiction T-shirt. But, like, a nice one. More men in perfect tees.
“Charlie,” he says when I approach and introduce myself, extendinghis hand to give mine a firm shake. “Good to finally meet you in person.”
This man is ridiculously handsome. He almost puts Ethan to shame. Hazel eyes and dark skin. Tall. Lean. And I am surprised by his friendliness. Almost alarmed. He was lovely over email and phone too, but I’m accustomed to fashion photographers who pose more than their subjects. This guy is pretension-free.
“From what Ethan has told me, I’m in great hands.” Charlie smiles.
“Oh. Definitely don’t trust what Ethan has told you.”
“Are you sure?” He cocks his head. “ ’Cause he thinks you’re pretty great.”
I pretend to study my clipboard as I try not to blush.
I’m confirming that everything is copasetic, checking and rechecking my list and debating the best spot for our video setup with Peter, when Ethan makes an appearance. He saunters over to Charlie and gives him a pound and a bro hug, which makes me super glad I’m not a dude and I get to give people normal hugs. They chat for a minute, then he surveys the room and, apparently finding it acceptable, makes his way over to me.
“You’ve got everything you need?”
