Eloise

It had been a long and exhausting day with back to back photo shoots: A socialite who held a charity event at her house in the afternoon, and a couple’s twenty-fifth wedding anniversary at night. By the time I got home, it was late and all I wanted to do was collapse in bed and drift off into dreamland. After washing my face and changing into my pajamas, I picked up my phone from my bed and saw I had a text message from Ron.

“Hey there, sexy girl. Let’s do dinner tomorrow night.”

“Hi, Ron. I have plans tomorrow night. How’s Tuesday night look for you?”

“I’m leaving for out of town on Tuesday. I really wanted to see that beautiful smile before I left. Cancel your plans and have dinner with me.”

“I can’t. I’m sorry. But I am free for lunch if you want to meet up.”

“Why do you have to be so difficult? Just cancel your plans.”

For fuck sakes, was this guy serious? #Delete on the way.

“The answer is no! I do not cancel my plans for anyone. Especially for someone I’ve only had drinks with for a couple of hours. If this is the way you talk to women on a regular basis, it’s no wonder why you’re single.”

“Forget I even asked. You aren’t worth any more of my time.”

Rolling my eyes, I deleted his number from my phone. I was way too tired to deal with this bullshit from anyone. There was one thing I needed to do before I went to sleep.

“Hi. Sorry it took me so long to respond to your last text message. It’s been a very long and exhausting day.”

“It’s okay. I figured you were busy. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Just tired. How are you?”

“I’m good. Putting a plan into action for a meeting tomorrow.” He sent the winky face. “I won’t keep you. Get some rest, Digits, and sleep well. Good night. Catch ya later!”

“Good night, Mobile Man. Sweet dreams. Catch ya later!”

I always felt good after talking with Mobile Man. We were growing closer via text and as much as he wanted us to meet, I couldn’t bring myself to. I loved what we had and I was too afraid that if we met, everything would go to shit and that was something I couldn’t risk. I didn’t believe a man and woman could just be friends.

****

I was doing my last photo shoot for the week, which was good because it would allow me to finish up previous edits and allow me to dive into my blog full-time. When I finished, I pulled my phone from my purse and noticed I had a missed call and text message from Claire. Dialing her number, I brought my phone up to my ear.

“Hello,” she answered.

“Hey, you called?”

“Where are you?”

“I was doing a photo shoot all morning. Why?”

“Christian asked me to call you. He has a freelance job offer for you and would like you to come into the office if you’re interested.”

“Doing what?” I asked.

“Photography, I’m assuming. Can you come in now?”

“I don’t know, Claire. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Eloise, it’s a job and I’m sure it pays well. You’d be a fool not to at least listen to him.”

“I guess. I’m not too far. I’ll head over there now.”

“Great. I’ll let him know.”

I put my phone back in my purse and hailed a cab over to Christian’s advertising firm. Why on earth would he offer me a job? Was he doing this purely for ulterior motives? But photographing for an advertising firm, especially his that was on the rise, could mean bigger and better things for me.

When I arrived at his office, I found Claire, who took me to see Christian. The moment I stepped through the double glass doors, he stood up from behind his desk with a panty-melting smile on his face.

“Thank you for coming, Eloise. Please, have a seat.”

“Hello, Christian.” I politely smiled. “Now what’s this about the freelance job Claire told me about?” I asked as I took a seat across from his desk and tightly crossed my legs to try and stop the vibrating sensation I felt below.

“I need a photographer. Our current photographer, Max, is out sick with pneumonia and we have a perfume shoot coming up at the end of the week. You were the first person I thought of.” He smirked.

“Which perfume company?” I asked.

“It’s for Chanel.”

“Chanel? Are you freaking kidding me? How did you score that?”

He chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

“I have a good friend who is one of the V.P.’s. They were having some issues with their other firm, so he called me up and asked if we’d be interested. If the campaign goes well, he’ll bring us on board for all Chanel campaigns and advertising.”

“Wow. Talk about pressure.” I inhaled a sharp breath. “You haven’t even seen any of my work. How do you know I’m Chanel worthy?”

The corners of his mouth curved up into a sweet smile.

“I have faith in you. But I will need to see some of your work just to make sure.” He winked.

“Of course. I don’t have anything with me right now.”

“That’s okay. I can come with you back to your apartment and I can have a look.”

“You mean right now?”

“Yes. Right now.” He looked at his Louis Vuitton watch, which sat proudly on his wrist. “In fact, it’s almost dinner time. We can grab something on the way.”

A nervousness settled inside me and my foot began to involuntarily tap on the floor. Chanel was too good of an opportunity to turn down. Shit. This would be the biggest shoot of my life.

“Okay. I don’t have anything else going on tonight,” I lied.

I was supposed to go to a singles mixer in the Fashion District, but that would have to wait for another time.

“Excellent. We can leave now if you’re ready,” Christian spoke as he got up from his chair.

“I am.” I smiled. “Can I use your restroom before we head out?”

“Of course. Let me show you where it is.”

I placed my hand on his muscular chest.

“Just point me in the right direction. Remember what happened last time you showed me where your restroom was?”

“How could I forget?” He slyly smiled.

We walked out of his office and he pointed down the hallway.

“Thank you.” I nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

“You’re welcome.” He tucked his hands into his pants pockets.

As soon as I entered the bathroom, I pulled my phone from my purse and sent a text message to Claire.

“I’m in the bathroom. Get in here now!”

“I’m on my way. Which bathroom are you in?”

“I don’t know. The one down the hall from Christian’s office.”

“Oh okay. I’ll be there in a sec.”

I placed my hands on the sink and stared at myself in the mirror. Christian was coming over to my apartment, which didn’t settle right with me. Being alone with him shouldn’t be hard, but it would be. Especially after what happened that night at his party. The night that had been playing over and over in my mind since. The bathroom door opened and Claire walked in.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Christian is coming over to my apartment to look at my portfolio.”

“Okay? And?”

I grabbed her arms.

“Did you not hear me correctly? Christian is coming over to my place!”

“I heard you. So what? Are you afraid of him or something?”

I placed my hands on my head and scrunched my hair.

“Oh. I know what this is about,” she spoke. “You’re afraid to be alone with him because you might have sex with him again.”

“No.” I wiggled my finger in front of her face. “I am not having sex with him again.”

“Eloise.” She sighed. “You know why you’re not going to have sex with him again?”

“Because I said so?” I arched my brow.

“No. Christian won’t make that mistake again. He already apologized to you for last time and he’s not stupid enough to try it again.”

“I guess you’re right.” I leaned against the sink.

“I am right. Now go and show Christian your portfolio. This is all strictly business.”

I sighed. “Okay. Just give me a minute.”

As soon as Claire left the bathroom, I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to Mobile Man.

“I just wanted to say hi.”

“Hi.” He sent the smiley face. “Busy day today?”

“Yes. How’s your day going?”

“I can honestly say my day is fantastic.”

“I’m happy to hear that. I have to go. I’m still working. Catch ya later?”

“Catch ya later, Digits.”