Page 97 of Tell Me Something

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, him making that comment in front of everyone in Charlotte annoyed me. It made it sound like I was slow-mo Baywatch running or something.”

He chuckled. “Watching you run is much more real. I guess I get his initial infatuation now.”

I pressed the stop button and wiped my face with my towel. “Does that mean you’re infatuated?” I moved in front of him, and he took my mouth in a searing kiss.

“Something like that.”

“Happy New Year.”

“Mm, Happy New Year. Did you have a nice time last night?”

“I did, actually. Will is a great dancer, and we spent a lot of time doing just that.”

“Better him than me. I don’t dance.”

I smiled, remembering that tidbit written in all capital letters on his personal dislikes sheet. “How was your time with Catherine? Any drama with the ex?”

“No, luckily he was a no-show. All that workup, and he doesn’t even come. It was fine, but I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

“Catherine said she called you about coming in the day after tomorrow for the photo reveal?” he inquired, taking my hand.

“She did, and I’m anxious to find out how they turned out.”

“I’m sure they will be great. Now then, let’s get to your post-workout routine.”

His arms lifted me up, and I giggled, looking forward to it.

NERVES WERE GETTING to me about how the photos had turned out when I made my way, together with Sasha and Brian, to a conference room on Catherine’s floor a couple days later. Will was there and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Sasha was humming with excitement, and I noticed that she and Brian appeared to be uncharacteristically quiet around one another. We all took our seats around the long rectangular table and faced the screen set up at the end of the room.

Catherine came in all smiles, looking like she was holding back a secret. “Okay, please sit. Dim the lights, Erin,” she directed her assistant. And there I was up on the big screen. “Here are the final shots we decided to go with for each look,” she said, scrolling through them.

It was hard to believe that striking woman in the photographs was me. I was so engrossed in taking in all of the details that I barely noticed Josh come in. We went through each of the dresses and scenes, and I blushed when we got to the one with Will and me in my lingerie. It made us look like a couple. The photo was intimate and beautifully done with us lying on the bed looking at one another while he caressed my face. I silently applauded Bart for making the pictures look amazing and tasteful.

“And last, but not least, we have our cover shot.” She flashed the screen to show me in my wedding dress draped across the chaise. Will stood behind me, reaching down.

“Wait, did you say cover?” Will asked.

She clapped her hands and squealed. “Yes, you guys have the February cover. I mean, I knew the shots were superb, but this one, it’s just above. And then this last photo of Haylee alone in the dress will be the inside picture. Look at that ring, Sasha. The diamonds pop, and I think your client will be very pleased with the credits. I know I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out, and I owe it all to you, Haylee. Well, you and your mother’s beautiful dresses.”

The lights came on, and I was still stunned. I was a cover model for Cosmo Life?

“So, as a big thank you, and because I can’t imagine the dress without them, these are for you.” She handed me a box with a bow.

I took off the lid and sighed with pleasure. The blush-colored Valentino lace shoes. “Catherine, these are amazing. I don’t know what to say except you’re beyond generous and thank you.”

“I figured they can be your ‘something new’ for when you get married. Now you just have to find the man to buy you the rock and the pink diamond pendant,” she laughed.

I didn’t risk a look in Josh’s direction.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T he next couple months flew by in a whirlwind. The cover shot garnered me several other modeling jobs, and I finally felt good about having plenty of money to get me through law school. Josh and I settled into something of a routine with a little less travel, and I was spending more time in his apartment. But what I loved the most was that he was becoming more open about his plans and not spending quite so many nights out. Part of me wondered if his lack of dates had something to do with ensuring I didn’t go out with Will, but I didn’t bother to read too much into it, opting instead to simply enjoy the time we had left.

It was the first weekend of March, and I’d been invited to a Cassius Rum party in Vegas for the weekend. I was getting ready to leave for the airport on a Friday morning when a knock sounded at my door and Josh came in.

“Hi,” he murmured.