“I’m not doing an underwear shoot,” I repeat again, slowly this time because apparently, Riza didn’t hear me when I refused initially.

“Why not? It’s not like you haven’t done them before.” She has the stubborn look on her face that tells me she’s going to harass me for the next two months.

“That was before.” I stand, grabbing a tootsie roll out of the bowl on her desk and unwrapping it. “This is now.”

“Just because you comment on the field instead of being on the field now, doesn’t mean women want to see you any less.” She points out, pulling the bowl away when I reach to grab another candy.

“That’s rude,” I mumble while I’m chewing.

“Just think about it. It’s a collaboration shoot between Klein and Bold & Co.” She brushes a dark red strand of her from her face and smoothes it back into her bob. “I think you’d be perfect for it.”

“I’m an analyst, not a model. I did enough of that extra shit when I was playing the game.” All the extra bull-shit, the backstabbing, the disgusting coverups- it’s all part of why I left.

Part of why I started spiraling and accepted that depression isn’t a dirty word.

I just wanted to play the game. It’s what I’ve always wanted.

The only reason I’m here in New York and not back down South is for a buddy’s wedding. I stopped in to see Riza because her father was my agent and we became good friends.

She’s always trying to rope me back into appearances and worrying about my image because she thinks I’ll want to go back to the game one day.

I simply don’t give a fuck.

I’m happier now. The entire world of sports has shady aspects, but at least now - it feels fun again. Until I feel myself sliding again, I’m staying right where I am.

And that’s not getting airbrushed and prodded for some damned underwear shoot.

“Just think about it, okay? It won’t be like your usual shoots. I know Michaela and she’s not about things being perfect and fake.”

“Who’s Michaela?” I motion for the candy bowl. I can’t help it, tootsie rolls are so damned good.

“She started Bold, the lingerie company the women will be wearing. Keep up.” She scoffs. “We share the building.”

“Sure. She started a lingerie company and you’re telling me she doesn’t care about the flawless? You watched a VS fashion show lately?” I came across enough women to know that even if they were great people, they still had an image to maintain.

It’s business. It always is.

“You can’t be so cynical all the time.” She relinquishes the bowl, her light brown eyes sympathetic. “Everyone doesn’t have some big bad motive.”

“I appreciate the life lesson. I’ll see you at dinner next week.” I head for the door. “Bring me one of your cute friends who doesn’t like commitment.”

I hear her laughter as I close the door and nod at her assistant.

She better take me seriously. I’ve seen one of her friends, Zandra, in her Instagram pictures. She looks like a woman who doesn’t need feelings to have great sex.

My favorite.

I get on the elevator with a few other people, and while it’s going down, I use the time to check my emails and delete texts from people I don’t know.

“Hold the elevator please!”

“Don’t hold the elevator!”

The door is still open on the level the last woman got off on, and I look up when I hear two different voices.

There’s a woman rushing towards the doors and another rushing behind her, and everyone seems to be laughing. I look up at a frosted panel and see a really intricate logo.

Bold & Co.

That lingerie company.

I hesitate because clearly one of them doesn’t want the other to get on the elevator. But that’s really not my business, all I can do is try not to be the colossal asshole who doesn’t hold the doors.

I press the button to keep them open and move to the corner. The first woman gets on and so does that woman that was rushing behind her.

“I’m not talking about this with you, Kai.” The taller woman says and there’s clear anger in her voice.

“Well, I don’t care because I want to talk about it.” I take the time to actually look at them. I mean, I’m in close quarters with them and neither of them has pressed a button to go down so I can’t help but listen in.

The angry one is slightly taller. She’s got light brown skin and slim curves. I’m behind them so I can’t really see their faces and I didn’t pay enough attention when they were coming towards the doors.

The other, whose name I’m assuming is Kai, is probably average height. Her skin is maybe two shades deeper and her hair is in long braids, and not brushing her shoulders in tousled waves like the tall one.

“I saw him with her, you’re really gonna tell me you didn’t know they were dating?”

“I’m not with Brandon anymore, and I’m certainly not keeping track of who he’s seeing.” From the way the tall one has started tapping her fingers on her leg, I’d say braids better stop asking questions soon.

“But you two were friends for years! Now your ex-fiance is just casually seen with her and you don’t care at all?”

Ouch. Friends with your exes? Usually messy.

My phone vibrates and it’s my boy asking if I intend on showing for my tux fitting. A glance at the time tells me I don’t have much left, and as much as I want to hear all about Brandon and his nefarious ways, it’s time to get this show on the road.

“I hate to interrupt, but do you two intend on starting the elevator or not?” I keep typing on my phone as I say it, but I look up when the elevator still doesn’t move.

“If you’d just closed the elevator doors when I told you to, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Braids turns around, and she’s pretty cute. Out of habit, my eyes move to her ring finger and see it’s empty.

“She’s not married, but she is taken.” I lift my eyes to the taller one, who I didn’t realize was watching me while I eyed the other.

The second I meet her green eyes, I don’t want to look away. I do, but only to take in the rest of her completely this time.

Her face is unique. Objectively, I’d say that her features on other people might not work. But on her? They fit together perfectly. She’s got a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and lush lips. Her eyes are almond shaped and framed by long lashes, though they could be fake or something.

Doesn’t matter, I could look at her all day.

Hell, I want to.

“And are you taken?” I cross my arms and lean against the wall.

“I’m not really dating right now.”

“But that’s not what I asked. And who said anything about dating?”

“Oh, he’s a live one.” Kai murmurs.

“Are you really propositioning me for sex out of the blue?” She narrows her eyes and it really only makes her more attractive. I’m getting jungle cat vibes.

“I asked a simple question. If you’re thinking about having sex with me, well, I can’t help that.” I wink. Someone else must’ve pressed the elevator button on another floor. I didn’t even realize we’d started moving.

The doors open and I slide past them.

“You’re not even going to give her your number?” The shorter one calls out and I turn around just as the gorgeous one smacks her arm.

“I’ll be in touch.” I nod, and I pull out my phone as I leave the building and hail a cab.

“Tell me more about this shoot, Riza.”