Page 100 of You + Me – Against the World

“Speaking of jobs, I have something crazy to tell you, Alma,” Vadim cuts in.

“Alright, I’m out of here, I’ve already heard this story three times.”

Felix shuffles off, his baggy pants rustling loudly between his legs, then slams the door behind him, muttering a few curse words in Spanish as he goes.

“That means: ‘I was really happy to see you. Thanks for your encouragement. Take care, and see you very soon!’” Vadim translates for me, laughing.

I laugh as well and go to kiss him. “I missed you. Alright, what’s your story?”

“So earlier, I’m walking down the street and this super classy woman, maybe forty or forty-five, taps me on the shoulder.”

“And?”

“She starts telling me that I’ve got extremely beautiful eyes and a strong presence, that she loves my hair, my smile…”

“Hmm… So, I’m going to have to watch out for super classy, 45-year-old women now, too?”

“Wait. Then she asked me if I’ve ever modeled and told me that I could make quite a bit of money from this face,” he says, pointing at himself.

“Modeling?”

“Why does that surprise you, Lancaster?”

Vadim pretends to be offended while I contemplate his dark yet luminous presence—which still fascinates me—his hypnotic, light-colored eyes, his mess of curls, and his gorgeous smile. Of course it doesn’t surprise me.

“Look, she gave me her card,” he continues. “She’s a talent agent and casting director.”

“Michelle Kerry, Talent Agency.”

“She told me to drop by her agency tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, we’re going to meet your brother.”

“I know, I’ll go after. But I’ll probably turn down anything she offers me. I’d end up hating everyone involved: aging playboys who’d examine me from every angle, pretentious advertisers, photographers who think they’re God…”

“No, you should think about it, Vadim. You might meet interesting people, directors perhaps. It could open doors for you.”

“I doubt it. What interests me most is that, apparently, it pays very well. Felix was right when he said I need to find a way to make some money.”

“I’ve told you a hundred times, you know I can give you—”

“Okay, end of discussion,” he says, jumping up.

“Wait! Man, they can be so touchy, these supermodels!

I catch up to him in the open kitchen and hug him from behind. Vadim turns around, wraps his arms around my shoulders, and rests his forehead against mine.

“I knew you were a good catch,” I whisper to him, smiling. “Do you remember the first time we talked? I didn’t say anything. I just looked at your profile, unable to take my eyes off you. I couldn’t believe such a detestable guy could be so good-looking.”

“And I couldn’t believe a good girl like you could look me right in the eye and challenge me. When all the others like you were afraid of me.”

“I could spend my life looking at you, Vadim Arcadi.”

“Yeah, let’s talk about it again in twenty years, Alma Lancaster. We might as well just enjoy it now…”

And he kisses my neck, making me shiver all over.

“No, let’s talk about it tomorrow. I have to go home. Pick me up at ten?”