“Yes, they do. Just a tip: if you’re interviewed, mention who you’re wearing. Little things make a difference.” He winked at Kendal and said, “Like not raking me over the coals when I was in a bind.”
We walked over and saw a couple of duffle bags. We got the assistant to help us carry it all out to the car. Kendal took me to get a phone. Many hundreds of dollars later I was pissed at myself for throwing my phone. That was an expensive lesson. I called Suzanne to see if she and Jim could join us tonight. Tami was craving Monical’s. I called Monical’s and booked their banquet room. I contacted Tami and had her invite her mom and call the Andersons and my family to get them to come also. I told her the room held twenty-five seats and to call whomever she wanted to see, and tonight was on me. I now had a debit card from the credit union and I needed to mend some fences.
When I got home, I got my dad and Greg to help me carry all the bags into my apartment. I asked Mom, Angie and Kendal up to go through everything. I picked out a leather coat, two pairs of jeans, and a couple of sweaters. I told them that everything else was up for grabs. Kendal got an outfit and coat for her boyfriend and a sweater for her dad. Some of the skinny jeans Angie grabbed. She planned to lose her baby weight, so she picked out a couple of pairs with the plan to have them shortened. While that surprised me, I wisely kept my mouth shut. I still had three bags worth of stuff. I decided to bring them to Monical’s and let everyone go through them. Whatever was left over we would donate to the church.
Tracy came over as soon as she knew I was home. She picked out some sweaters for her dad. I then told her the plans for tonight and tomorrow. She about flipped out when she learned that she was going to a photo shoot. We left early to get everything organized at Monical’s. I met the assistant manager who was the same girl who had a crush on Greg. We preordered appetizers, pitchers of soda, the large family salads, and pizzas. I instructed them to keep the food coming. I told her that I would cap it at $500. If we were going over that, she needed to come see me. I gave her my debit card, so she knew we weren’t playing a prank. Sometimes being young had its disadvantages.
Tracy wasn’t worried about the twenty-five-person limit. She figured some could eat while others mingled. I didn’t mind because Tami hadn’t seen her friends in several months. The assistant manager came in and cornered Greg. I distracted her so Greg could make his escape. The next round of sodas was on the house. Some of the parents ordered a beer, but I made it clear that they had to buy that themselves. Tom had sat me down and explained liability. Being a minor and buying alcohol was a big no-no.
I finally met Brian. There was something I didn’t like about him, but I knew Tami was a better judge of character than I was, so I trusted her. I just put it down to not liking any of Tami’s boyfriends now or in the future. She had a huge grin on her face when I gave her the thumbs-up signal.
When Alan and Gina came in, they surprised me by having Kara with them. Tracy wasn’t a happy camper when she saw the kiss that Kara gave me as a hello. Actually, the whole room got a little quiet. Every guy in the place had tracked Kara when she came into the restaurant. They just shook their heads when they realized it was me she had latched onto. We found a quiet table and sat down. It was no surprise when Tracy quickly joined us.
“Kara, this is my girlfriend Tracy.”
“Hi Tracy, you’re gorgeous. I never had a chance, did I, David?”
She recognized a jealous girlfriend when she saw one and knew how to handle her.
“Sorry, Tracy’s special.”
Once Tracy saw that Kara wasn’t a threat, she got up to mingle but left me with a possessive kiss.
I changed the subject.
“Hey, I signed with Ford last week to do Range Sports.”
“That’s great. I heard they were looking for a new face. Some solid people were hoping they’d be chosen. This is a huge break for you.”
“Is that going to be a problem for me?”
“No, that’s the nature of the business. If anyone’s a jerk, just ignore them.” She looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “I need you to help me with a photo shoot. It’s for a diamond company and the ad is for the European market. There probably will be some nudity, but it should be very tasteful.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for nude shots.”
“I need you. The last time I did a shoot with them, I was almost raped by the other model and the photographer. They said they would let me pick my model this time, and everyone associated with it.”
“I know a woman who’s very good. She’s shooting me tomorrow. Would you like to go and meet her?”
“That would be great. So, will you do it?”
I smiled.
“Where, when and how much do I make?”
She laughed.
“I thought to see me nude you’d do it for free.”
“Hey, that’s my line,” I teased her.
“I just might do it for free to get you naked again.”
Yep, Tracy and I definitely needed to talk.
Kara told me the details. It was to be shot on Amelia Island in north Florida. We would arrive the day before Christmas and shoot through to the 28th of December. When she told me what I would make, I about fell out of my chair. It was as much as many people made in a year. Then there were the perks: each of us would get a two-bedroom suite and could bring one chaperone. She said I could bring two people. I called Kendal and laid out the deal. I could hear her drop the phone and squeal with joy. When she found out she would get a Florida vacation, I about went deaf. I called Clare Thomas with Ford and told her about what I planned. She wanted to talk to Kara, so I put her on the phone.
I knew that Ford couldn’t stop me, but I didn’t want to ruin our relationship by doing nude shots. Kara agreed to allow Ford to see the photos before I released them. Clare gave her blessing.
I then got my mom and dad to come over and meet Kara. Mom wasn’t happy about me missing Christmas. She almost didn’t let me go, but Dad stepped in. He gave me permission, and I could tell he’d have to talk to Mom later.
When we agreed on our deal, I waved at Tami to come over. She brought Brian with her. I told her about my plans for tomorrow and wanted her to come also. Brian acted like a brat and didn’t want to go until he heard Kara would be there. Tami and I looked at each other, and I could tell that Brian’s days were numbered.
I called Tom and told him one more was going. He had a big SUV that had three rows of seating that could take seven comfortably. I would need to warn Kara and Tracy about Brian. Something wasn’t quite right with the look he gave Kara.
I settled with Monical’s and was amazed that my bill came to exactly $500, including tips. The assistant manager told me that my bill was really closer to $700, but the owner knew us, and thanked us for thinking of them. I found that the duffle bags were all empty. I was glad our friends were able to use the clothes.
When I got home, I made a point to put all the duffle bags into one so I could take them back tomorrow. Tracy and I cuddled and talked until midnight. I was still debating if I should ask her to come to Florida with me, or if I wanted to spend the time with Kara. The decision would depend on a lot on how our talk went. I was determined to have it tomorrow night before I went to Chicago.
Saturday November 30
SATURDAY MORNING, I woke to Kara jumping on my bed between Tracy and me. She’d snuck over to wake me up and I convinced her to go back to sleep with me. We were still taking it slow.
“Get up, sleepyheads.”
“Uhhhh. Seriously?” Tracy moaned.
I sat up and Kara gave me a quick kiss.
“Morning, Sexy. Your mom has breakfast almost ready, and coffee’ss on.”
Tracy rolled back over and buried her head into her pillow. Kara smacked her butt.