“Have some room for dessert, love?”

I looked at Chad, astonished that he could even stuff himself more, considering how much Chinese takeaway he had consumed. “Go help yourself; I’m in a coma.” I moaned as I gently patted my belly.

“We’ll just do double time with dancing tonight. It’s okay; cheesecake?” Flagging a forkful of blueberry cheesecake in my mouth.

I groaned in frustration with his persistent attitude, knowing full well I had a weakness for sweets. Evil man! Heavens! That was delicious.

I got up and went to the kitchen to prepare some coffee. When I returned, Chad was already almost halfway done with the cheesecake.

“Is something’s bothering you? What is it, baby love?” He glanced at me with a perfectly arched, ebony brow. It was as good a time as any.

Feeling helpless and confused, I spilled everything about Blake. They were friends by association, therefore Chad didn’t know I had the hots for Blake Knightly and my confession shocked him.

He whistled after I finished with my tale, took a big gulp of coffee and looked me square in the eye, “Wow. That’s some story.” Chad lightly fanned himself. You don’t say, buster? I smirked. “I’m usually pretty good at these things, but I never once thought he saw you that way, love. I mean, apart from a few lingering glances here and there… Wow, that man can certainly put a mask on! God, I can’t believe you didn’t just shag him! How could you not even think of going all the way, love? I would’ve yelled at the top of my lungs and told him to ‘pummel me any way you want me, baby!’” Chad looked all hot and bothered all of sudden. I was sure his thoughts involved the sweaty, smoldering hot body of Blake. I had no doubt in my mind Chad would do exactly that. We both had the hots for Blake Knightly.

I laughed loudly and then, smiling at my dear friend, I confided, “I was sort of ready to do it all the way, but he resisted and I admire him for that. It’s difficult enough that I just barely got out of a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, I like Blake—more than I should at the moment—and when he’s around, he’s all I think about, but I’m not emotionally ready. I’m drained and I can’t simply put myself in that situation. Not right now, maybe in a few months. Blake’s an intense person. He will consume me and I’m not ready for that kind of emotional rollercoaster. Not yet.”

It was very confusing to be in that position. There I was, trying to gather my bearings after such a riotous upheaval with Kyle and a whirlwind of hotness of the formidable god that was Blake Knightly had been added. What was a girl to do?

“Even though he’s a deliciously sinful specimen, I get where you’re coming from,” Chad sympathized. “Maybe you can still have fun with him without getting too attached? Or you can just enjoy being single and see what’s out there. God knows you haven’t yet experienced London single! Maybe it’s time you should, love! I’ll be with you all the way! This is so exciting.” He looked wistful, like he was imagining all sorts of scenarios in his head. I bet his are more revealing than mine.

Blinking a few times, I leaned back on the couch and exhaled, sighing. Chad had a point. For me to jump from one relationship to another was not good, everyone knew that. I still had baggage to sort through with Kyle. I couldn’t think about him without feeling a heavy knot in my chest. Everything was unbelievably complicated.

“You’re right. Maybe being single is the answer to all this.”

“There you go. Speaking of fun, I have a different motive for coming here. I need a model for my theme with the art show I have in eleven weeks and I want you to pose for me… with a male model, who I don’t know at the moment—”

“Pose?”

“Yes, pose! Model for me! For my grunge sensual theme—”

“I’m not model material, Chad!”

“I beg to differ. Have you seen your body, Sienna? C-cup breasts, small waist and that ass! Although, most of all, you are gorgeous! You look sensual and you fit my theme. I don’t see anyone else that would be as fitting, baby love. Do this for me and I’ll be forever in your debt. Will you do it, love?” He was on his knees with a huge pout and dark eyes, pleading. Chad, with his flair for the dramatics, didn’t exactly hold back when he was desperate.

That meant I was the only person he had in mind. Sigh, the things we do for the people we love. “Ah! How you tug at my heart. You just have to go looking all sad! Fine! I’ll do it! You can bet your skinny ass that you’ll be indebted to me for a while! When does it start?”

“I have to speak to a few guys tomorrow. I’ll let you know by Tuesday. Shooting will be in around a week or two. The images I want are risqué and you’ll be technically nude with undies, just to warn you.” He looked delirious and sheepish at the same time, happy that his project was well on its way.

Technically nude? Shit. Bite me. I pulled my legs to my chest. Thoughts of the shoot mocked my mind. What if it looked obscene and tacky? “These better be tasteful, Chad,” I warned.

Chad merely huffed. “Baby love, I only do it with taste and class! You know that!” True, I did know that. His artworks were appealing and riveting. I was sure my lack of confidence came from my own insecurities.

After lunch, we left to go for a walk around Bond Street and went inside Selfridges before hitting the gym. He needed some apparel and he enjoyed modeling them as I sat, cheerfully critiquing his choices.

A couple of hours later, we left for Hampstead and hit the gym. They had floor-to-ceiling-mirrors that surrounded the room. There were six rooms in total and we took one that wasn’t occupied.

Damp with perspiration, I gulped a whole bottle of water. The four sets of samba gave me a much needed workout and it felt great.

“Get your sweet, Brazilian ass back here! Time to shake it for Salsa!” Chad called out as he was jumping about and browsing through his iPod.

“Coming!” I yelled as I made my way to the middle of the room. I studied the image before me. Dressed in my black leggings and cut-off, loose shirt that hung off one shoulder, I looked flushed and glowing.

The two-hour workout with Chad had left me in a happy state as I made my way through the checkout counter in Waitrose on Marylebone High Street. I was going to make spinach salad with cherry tomatoes and stuffed mushrooms, lasagna with hot Italian sausage instead of beef, garlic bread and tiramisu to finish the meal.

I paid for my items and hurried outside to hail a cab. Sitting comfortably inside, I texted Blake that I was on my way with groceries in hand and to meet me in the lobby.