Time waits for no one.

And it seems as though the last couple of days have blown by like a hurricane. It’s the day of my cover photo shoot. It’s also the day I learn if all of what we have been preparing for just gets tossed away.

I could just call this doomsday.

Antonio Michaels has not confirmed if he will be going through with the ALLMe campaign or not. And today is the day that shoot is scheduled, as well. I’ve even asked Daniella if she knows and she swears he’s been real hush-hush about it.

You should have just asked Jaxson to do it, I keep telling myself.

But I didn’t want to ask for his help. Asking for help is something I don’t do very well—and it will probably cost me my dream magazine.

I should have just stuck with simple fashion design. That would have been safer.

Plus it doesn’t help that I have fallen in love with the one man who will ultimately make or break this deal for me.

Jaxson Malone. A man who I literally bumped into just a little over two months ago. A man who took my breath away then, and takes my breath away now.

The real and true-life man of my dreams.

“We’ll need the files for the magazine no later than Tuesday so we can prepare and format for publication,” blares Daphne Richards of La Boutique via a conference call.

André and Daniella silently grimace while I feel like barfing.

“Of course. We will get those files to you no later than Tuesday of next week,” I say, trying hard to conceal the tension in my voice.

“Wonderful. Also, we have decided that the first issue will also include a print edition.” Daphne says.

“Okay...will the digital version still be available for free?”

I hear Daphne clear her throat. “Yes, we just feel the first issue will bring in a ton of revenue. Besides all of the Haute Couture stuff, there are quite a few of us here who are also dying to have a physical copy of the magazine along with the spread for ALLMe.” She giggles.

“Oh believe me, we too are dying to see it,” I say, sarcasm unhidden.

“Right, well, you have a lovely day and we’ll talk soon, my dear.”

Anxiety builds as I sit, waiting for some type of call, email, text…lightning—anything to let me know there has been a decision made.

“Hold still, Madame Blake, s’il vous plaît, you’ll mess up your makeup,” says Ralph, the Haute Couture makeup artist.

How can I be still, when I am too worried? Now, I wonder if I just opened up to Jaxson, even revealed what was at stake, would he have just said yes to the job?

Ugh, the agony is sickening.

“You all ready for your shoot, boss? They are all set and waiting. Daniella will be in there with you.”

“Uh, sure, André, I’ll be right there. Ralph is just applying the finishing touches to my hair and makeup.”

“As long as you remain still, Madame,” Ralph clarifies.

“Okay, okay. I won’t move. Has anyone told you you’re quite bossy?”

His perfectly shaped brows rise and he says, “Oui, oui, my wife tells me that is what she likes most about me.”

I roll my eyes, but can’t stifle my giggle.

He puts one final pin in my hair and orders me to close my eyes as he douses my hairdo with hairspray.

“Parfait! You look beautiful, Madame Lauren.”

---

I enter my photo shoot, on pins and needles. Not only because I’m still freaking out about the ALLMe campaign, but holy crap, this is my first photo shoot, for a publication estimated to be seen by millions.

“Here is your outfit, Lauren. Let me know if you need help getting into it. It’s gorgeous,” says Daniella.

And I’d have to agree. The beautiful black dress is accented by a lush, faux collar.

Chic. Glamorous. Very Haute Couture-ish.

I step out from behind the privacy screen, and the photographer and Daniella gasp.

“You look beautiful, Lauren.”

“Yes, you certainly do,” says Miles, the photographer. “Come now, let’s get this party started.”

---

Two hours later, I’m starting to realize why I’m not a fashion model. Look to the left. Lower your head. Raise your chin. Make love to the camera. Okay, he didn’t say that, but they do say that in the movies. It’s different sitting back and watching the actual shoot. But to be in the actual shoot is another story. My feet hurt from standing, and my mouth is sore from the smiling. All I want now is a bowl of soup.

And Jaxson.

I haven’t even been able to look at my phone to check on the status of ALLMe.

“Okay, just one more shot and then we will have several for you to choose from, Ms. Blake,” says Miles.

“Sounds good, Miles. How do you want me for this shot?”

With his zoom lens in hand, he holds the camera over one eye, squinting into the lens. He adjusts the lighting in the room and says, “Look like a sexy mystery.”

What?

“Um, what?”

“Look sexy and mysterious. Don’t smile, just make love to the camera.”

Well, I guess that’s not only in the movies.

I turn and face the camera, my eyes calm, my lips slightly pursed, my hands on my faux collar, then I think of Jaxson.

The camera goes click, click, click, click and Miles yells, “That’s it, that’s it, beautiful sexy mysterious.”

After I change back into my regular, non-model clothes, I gather my purse, and my laptop, then scan my phone for any updates.

Nothing.

“You did great, Lauren. The photos are going to look amazing. We should be able to choose the one you like best tomorrow morning,” says Daniella.

“Thanks,” I say, feeling like it probably won’t matter anyway.

I open the door to make my way back to my office as Daniella makes her way to another photo session room. A call from André comes through my phone just as I reach the elevator.

“Hey, boss. You may want to head to photo room number three. We’ve got the face of ALLMe here ready to do the shoot.”

I end the call without even saying anything to André. I just run, down the hall, high heels slamming the tile floors past room one, then past room two, then…finally room three.

Shoving the door open, I breathe in and out, feeling like I ran a mini marathon.

André grins and Daniella smiles. And from behind the privacy screen steps Jaxson Malone, all dressed in nothing but a pair of black ALLMe underwear and the luxurious gifts God gave him.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he says, all grins and twinkling eyes.

“Jaxson I—”

“Didn’t think I’d say yes?”

I shake my head as he steps closer to me. The sight of him all yummy and fine-looking, abs, chest, face. I almost pass out.

He grabs me and pulls me into him and whispers, “I told you all you have to do is ask for help, baby.”

“I’ll work on that,” I stammer, knees wobbling.

“I told Ryan no, but then Antonio Michaels called me personally and told me that, not only would he be honored if I become the new face of ALLMe, but he also explained that if this deal didn’t go down as presented in the contract, you would lose your publishing deal.”

I stand, melting in his arms, unable to really speak but finally manage to say, “I should have told you, but didn’t want to make you feel obligated.”

He looks at me with his hypnotic gaze. “Lauren Blake, I’m in love with you and from now on, it is my obligation to do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

He kisses me. Tender. Sweet.

Then breaks away and says softly in my ear, “Uh, baby, as much as I’d like to keep kissing you, I can’t because you’re getting me excited. And as far as I know, Haute Couture is not that kind of magazine.

I giggle and step back watching his photo shoot, looking in awe at how good he looks, the man of my dreams, all sexy-hot. ALLMine.

And all I can do is think how lucky I am that Dixie fucking Lane said, no.