“What were you doing?”
“She was in bed with me,” Hazel answers for her, and Sire shoves her head off of Vidia.
“You fucking wish.” When Sire wraps an arm around V protectively, she lets out a laugh, and I keep my gaze on her. Vidia is one of the most beautiful girls I know, and her laugh is somehow more beautiful. Even now, with her curls in a loose ponytail and in my brother's oversized hoodie, she’s just… beautiful.
I glance down at Hazel next, and they really are two pretty best friends. Hazel looks airbrushed perfectevery day,and she doesn’t even wear makeup. My nieces and nephews are going to be adorable.
“You okay?” August slightly moves his arm that’s still around me to get my attention and I smile up at him.
“Yeah,” I pull in a deep breath before leaning into him again. “You’re right. Both meetings will be fine.” Being with my twin willalwaysbring me comfort. Even on my absolute worst days, a simple text from August somehow makes my day better, and there has to be a scientific reason behind the whole twin bond thing because I’m certain I could be dying, and a hug from him can save me.
“Ugh! I have to leave soon, but I don’t want to.” I hug August, and he rests his head on top of mine.
I stay with them for a few more minutes, and I can't bring myself to ask about Liam, so I rush off to meet with Vincent. We’re discussing over coffee, and I really wanted Angie here, but she was busy, and since she already read through these exact same contracts, she doesn’treallyneed to be here unless anything new is brought up.
When I reach the coffee shop he chose downtown he’s already sitting outside and stands when he sees me. “Sage, how are you?” He plants a soft kiss on both of my cheeks, and I smile at him before sitting.
“I’m good, how about you? Your flight just landed last night, right?”
He tells me about his recent trip back home, and at the reminder of all of the traveling he does, I grow more excited because I know as a Moore Girl, I would also be traveling twice as much as I already do.
When we start discussing business, it goes smoothly and feels so easy, almost too easy, but once I hand him the contract I had for the last week, it’s officially set in stone.
“Words can’t express how pleased I am that you’re now one of my models.”
I feel my entire body flush as I return his words and thank him. I’ve been modeling for a while now, but I never fail to get shy when people compliment me. It always feels surreal that this is my life.
“As we discussed over the phone, you will be flown to Italy for a month to learn the ropes as a Moore Girl. All of my girls go through a similar training.”
“Yes, I’m so excited to go! You also mentioned a show that will be happening while I’m there?”
He looks like he just remembered as he looks for something on his laptop. “Yes, I know it’s so soon, but you’ll be in that show. That actually brings me to what I needed to share with you.”
He types something into his laptop before my phone dings. It’s a link to a calendar for the next month, and it’sloadedwith everything I need to do while I’m in Italy. I’ll be busy almost every day while I’m there, but it only excites me.
I text August to let him know the meeting went perfectly with Vincent. I thankfully get to do the photo shoot with the girlssince Florence pushed it back by an hour for some reason, but when I walk into her office, I think I’m holding my breath.
“Sage, hey.”
I send her a smile although, I’m not sure what’s happening. We haven’t spoken since she basically said she would be replacing me, yet today she’s genuinely smiling in my face and rearranged the photo shoot she said she won’t rearrange… something is up.
“Hey.” I take a seat in front of her, and she finishes typing something before shutting her laptop and sliding a folder towards me. “What’s this?”
“Our new contract.” I freeze with the folder halfway open as I study her. “I’ll save you the trouble of reading it all, although I’m sure your damn agent will be sure to read it three times every day before you sign it.” She rolls her eyes, and I’m glad Angie isn’t here because shehatesit when people do that.
“You can miss a Magic Model show if the time conflicts with a Moore show, but you can’t miss three in a row, and you can’t miss our anniversary shows.” Her last part was a given, and I wouldn’t miss those, not even for Vincent.
“Thank you, but I’m a bit confused, Angie said–”
“Your agent wasn’t the reason I changed my mind.”
I’m only even more confused, but she’s looking at me as if I should know what she’s talking about.
“Your boyfriend came to see me? Or should I say, demanded.”
My. Jaw. Drops. I’m stuck for a second then immediately start apologizing for whatever the hell Liam threatened her with because I won’t be surprised if he dognapped her German Shepherds and threatened to snap their poor necks. Florencelaughsas I blurt out an apology and I must be dreaming becausewhatis happening?
“He really didn’t tell you he was coming to meet with me?”
