The shoot turned into seven hours of grueling, repetitive work. The photographer wasn’t very good, in my opinion. He used a set formula for how he worked and wouldn’t take any suggestions. Not that I ventured any suggestions, but when Adrienne makes a suggestion, I would listen. She’s a smart businesswoman who’s done thousands of shoots. She knows what sells and what gets more out of the talent than just about anyone I know.
I was a little surprised when he ordered her off his set. I fully understand the photographer was in charge. I just thought he looked petty and foolish by doing it. The other side of it was if you pissed her off, she was one of the few people who could run you out of town.
When we were done, Adrienne had left Tyler and Kendal to review the photos. I went and showered and came out to find the wardrobe gal packing up my clothes from today.
“Is that for me?” I asked.
“Yeah, they said you were going to wear them. Did you want to change into one of them?” she asked.
I took the worst ones and put them back on the rack. She looked concerned.
“I don’t live in New York. People back home would make fun of me if I wore these,” I explained.
She looked around to see if anyone was listening.
“I’d suggest you take them. No one said you have to wear them,” she almost pleaded.
“Do you know anyone who’d wear them?” I asked.
I hated to take something and then toss it. These were $500-and-up jackets, after all.
“Yes, I’m sure I do.”
“Put them in a different travel bag and I’ll leave them with the doorman at the place I’m staying.”
I gave her the info and then picked out something to wear. For all the over-the-top clothes they had, they had just as many that were really good. Creative people needed to push boundaries to get better. Some things worked, and others didn’t. This was why Dakora was becoming the twenty-something’s Armani. If you wanted to impress, you wore Dakora.
WHEN I GOT BACK TO the condo, Adrienne was sitting in the living room having a glass of wine with Greg and Angie. I was a little shocked they were here, and also that they were dressed like they were going to a business meeting. Greg had on a suit and tie, and Angie looked very professional in a blazer and slacks. Angie gave me a hug and kiss and Greg just smiled at my confusion.
“I bet you’re wondering why we’re here,” Angie said.
“A little, but I’m glad to see you.”
“Come sit down and I’ll let Adrienne tell you,” she said as she led me into the living room.
“I talked to Angie when we were in Utah for the Range Sports shoot. She told me about you working with her to set up a nonprofit to help teen moms. I get hit up for charitable causes all the time. One of my friends mentioned she wanted to put together a coalition of like-minded groups to assist pregnant women who might need help.
“One of the ideas they came up with was an ad campaign. Tonight, we’re meeting to talk about organizing it and hopefully convince some people to volunteer their time and talent,” Adrienne said, looking at me meaningfully.
I think they thought I would just agree on the spot. If I hadn’t just spent a day from hell, I might have.
“Do you have any food? I’m literally starving.”
The three of them looked at each other, trying to figure out what to do. Then Angie just shook her head.
“Don’t even try. We better feed him. If we don’t, he gets a one-track mind and won’t let it go.”
“What do you mean?” Adrienne asked.
“If you ever want to distract him, all you have to do is mention something he loves, like food,” Angie clued her in.
“Yeah, you should see him if you tell him there’s a batting cage he can use,” Greg teased me.
“We have one in the basement. A couple of the Mets and Yankees live here,” she informed me.
“What? You have a batting cage? Can we go use it?” I asked.
They all laughed at me. Tyler must have been eavesdropping because she brought out a cheese and cracker platter. I don’t think she was used to having a teenage boy visit. It looked like a half a serving, not something you would share with five people.
WE ENDED UP AT THE Waldorf Astoria. It was very elegant. The Silver Corridor is something you must see. Greg, Angie and I acted like tourists as we walked through the hotel on our way to dinner in the Empire Room. I was glad I had Dakora on because everyone was dressed to the nines. I spotted Hannah Minacci. I decided on a different tack to try and win her over. Begging hadn’t worked last time.
I pulled out my cell phone and sent Angie a text, even though she was standing next to me.
‘Who’s on Greg’s Free Pass list?’
Her phone dinged and she dug it out of her clutch. She gave me a dirty look when she saw it was from me. About that time Hannah walked up. Angie looked up and sucked in her breath. Angie and Greg had a list of people they could bed without getting permission. It had started out as a joke. They put people on their list that they would never get to sleep with. Greg had gotten a little irritated when I unknowingly started to work through his list. Angie decided to up the ante by putting me in all three of her slots. Greg knew it would never happen, but if it did, he couldn’t complain.
The big one on his list was Hannah Minacci. He’d been green with envy when I sent him pictures of her kissing me. Standing in front of us was Greg’s, and my, dream girl. Angie was suddenly nervous.
“Hey, Hannah,” I said nonchalantly and then looked back down at my phone.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Adrienne arch her eyebrows—she’d figured out what I was doing. There are two things you can count on with very attractive women. The first is they do not get hit on as much as you’d think. Guys just voluntarily eliminate themselves, because they figure the girl’s out of their league. The second is they’re used to everyone treating them as if they’re the most important person in the room. If you want one of these girls to notice you, make a point to ignore them.
I sent Greg a text.
‘Now or never!’
He checked his text and flinched. I was proud of him, though, for starting to talk to her as I slightly turned and played with my phone. In reality, I was sending text messages to my friends, letting them know Greg was hitting on Hannah Minacci. Alan called bullshit, so I had to sneak a picture.
“Hi, I’m Greg, David’s brother, and this is Angie, my wife,” he said as an introduction.
I wasn’t impressed with his game. It’s not a good idea to introduce your wife if you want to hit on someone.
“So, how’ve you been, David?” Hannah asked.
Angie had to nudge me. I looked up as if I hadn’t heard her.
“What?” I asked.
“Hannah was talking to you,” Angie chastised me. “He can be such a ‘stupid boy’ sometimes. I think he’s gotten worse since he became a movie star.”
I could have kissed Angie at that moment. Hannah tilted her head in interest.
“What’s this about a movie?” she asked.
“Lori Winnick recommended me for a part. She’s starring in a new sci-fi thriller,” I said, shamelessly name-dropping. “You know how it is. If modeling wasn’t enough, then doing a movie causes everyone to go nuts about you. You should see the list of A-Listers who want to go to Prom with me. I might have to be contrary and take one of the girls I’m dating this year.”
“Oh,” was all Hannah said.
I think Adrienne choked on something. I about ruined my act by shooting her a dirty look. I recovered and saw Deb Thomas, the vice president of talent development for Ford’s Chicago office. I put a big smile on and waved her over.
“Hey, Deb, I think you know Adrienne and Hannah,” I said, knowing full well she did. “This is my brother and his wife, Greg and Angie.”