Behind His Lens(46)

I clear my throat, “Do you guys already know what you want?”

“We were thinking of just splitting a large pizza. We need to fatten you up!” Naomi laughs, and I’m glad to see her light mood again.

“Ha-ha. Sadly that’s true. I’ve been too nervous to eat this week. I’ve never done a cover shoot before.”

“You’ll be great; don’t worry about it, Charley,” Naomi states confidently.

I nod and drag my eyes down the menu, reading over all of the topping options.

“I’m good with whatever you guys want, as long as it has pepperoni,” I decide, dropping the menu back onto the table and reaching for my water. I squeeze the lemon into the glass and swirl it around until the bitter citrus has dispersed completely.

When the waitress comes around, Bennett orders our large pizza with olives, mushrooms, spinach, and pepperoni. Just hearing him describe the ingredients makes my mouth salivate like one of Pavlov’s dogs.

But the second the waitress leaves, Naomi steeples her fingers and studies me with an air of concentration. The mood around the table instantly shifts from friendly dinner to shits-about-to-get-real. When I glance between them, it’s clear I’m about to be subjected to an intervention of sorts.

“Are you nervous that Jude will be in Hawaii as well?” Naomi asks candidly, keeping her razor sharp gaze on me.

“Naomi…” I warn, not really wanting to discuss everything in front of Bennett. He’s hardly an unbiased third party.

“Hey, don’t worry about me,” he offers, as if realizing his awkward position. “It’s not like I haven’t had to listen to Jude rambling on about you for the past two weeks.”

“What?” I ask before I think better of it. “No, wait. It doesn’t matter.”

“Charley, he’s obviously crazy about you,” Naomi offers gently.

“Yeah, well I’m not happy about his involvement with the casting of the shoot. It feels slimy and I hate having to second-guess my reasons for being hired. Those models are going to be the most gorgeous women in the world and they’re going to judge the fact that I was given the cover.”

“Don’t let them bother you,” Naomi advises, “remember you’re absolutely gorgeous, and yes, Jude might have introduced you to Ryan, but Ryan wouldn’t have agreed with Jude if you weren’t perfect. Why would he have? It’s his name that’s at stake if people don’t like his cover.”

“Maybe he owed Jude a favor…” My insecurities rear their ugly head, and then I bite back my words. “Whatever. I’m going to avoid him at all cost. He can party with the other models. I’ll focus on the shoot and soaking up as much sun as I can. It’ll be fine.”

Bennett bites his lip and I know he’s fighting an internal battle about whether he should speak up or not. When his mouth opens a moment later, I take a deep breath, preparing for his testimony.

“Charley, I don’t think you should write Jude off just yet. He was being honest when he said he never dates models; you’re the first he’s ever cared to get to know. His dating habits weren’t completely wholesome in the past,” my stomach twists in knots thinking about Jude with women before me, “but he’s different around you.” He pauses and then decides to continue on, “And there are things in his past that pushed him toward that way of life. They aren’t my stories to tell, but there’s more to Jude than what you see on the surface.”

Damnit Bennett. Damnit. Damnit.

I don’t want to hear all of this. I want Bennett’s eyes to hold less sincerity, less honesty. I know he’s telling me the truth, and as hard as I try to reinforce the walls around my heart, already I feel another small piece breaking apart for Jude. For this man that might have as many demons as I do.

Wiping my hand down my cheek in defeat, I sigh and meet his eyes. “Can I promise that I’ll take your words to heart if we stop talking about him for the rest of dinner?”


My stomach is coiled into a tight knot and I just want to relax and eat some pizza.

Naomi reaches across the table and grabs my hand.

Looking into my eyes, she offers me a hopeful look. “I’m really excited for you. This is a good step. You deserve it; don’t let your past ruin it for you.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jude

The private airplane hangar is buzzing with activity even though it’s hardly half past five in the morning. The world was silent on the cab ride over, but here, everyone’s grabbing coffee and securing their luggage and carry-ons. I sigh, reclining back in the soft leather chair as my assistants confirm that all of our equipment is accounted for. It’s cold in the lobby so I tug on my leather jacket, reminding myself that soon I’ll be in Hawaii and away from the cold for three days. Perfect.