French Kissing (Restless Hearts) (8 page)

I studied the business card, my hand shaking. Damien Summers, CEO of Summer Modeling Agency.

“That was interesting,” I said, focusing on keeping my composure.

“I wanted to punch him,” Jake admitted.

Macy spotted me from across the room and hurried over. “Did I just see you talking to Damien Summers?”

“Yeah.”

“Ohmygosh.”

“You know who he is?” I had never heard his name.

“He’s the biggest deal in modeling agencies. He discovered Tamra, Kate, Lexi. The list goes on forever. When he asked me about you, I could hardly believe it.” She spoke so quickly it all came out in one breath.

“He asked you about me?” I really hoped he hadn’t mentioned the photos. I still hadn’t told Macy about them.

She nodded emphatically. “He saw those photos that Clara took on the roof and thought you were amazing. I think he wants you to sign with his agency. Isn’t that amazing?”

Clara’s photos. Not Evan’s. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

“I’m not a model, Mace.” Now that I knew the real situation, I could think more reasonably. “I can’t even walk in high heels without tripping.”

“You’ll learn. It’s too good of an opportunity to pass up.” She grabbed my arm. “Just think, you model for some big names and suddenly everyone knows who you are. Just Camryn, no last name necessary. And then people start asking you about your fashionable clothes and you say, oh this? This is my design. Suddenly you’re an even bigger designer than Evelyn!”

“Slow down. Breathe.” I couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement. “Focus on the present. We still have an event to run.”

She took a few deep breaths. “Okay. You’re right. That reminds me- Evelyn was looking for you in the garden.”

“Thanks for telling me so promptly.” I rolled my eyes. So typical. “Jake, will you be alright on your own for a bit?”

“I think I can manage,” he said with a wink.

“Don’t worry, friend. I’ll keep him company.” Macy exaggerated an eyebrow waggle. “Go.”

It took almost five minutes to weave my way through the crowd and get to the garden. Evelyn greeted me excitedly.

“Wonderful event, dear!” She smacked her lips against both of my cheeks. “Everything has been fabulous. Thanks so much for you hard work.”

“Of course. It was my pleasure.” It truly was. Evelyn was an awesome boss. “We raised a lot of money.”

“You are responsible for a good chunk of that,” she said, a bit awed. “It took me years to sell a piece for five figures and you did it on your first night!”

“Well, the buyer was a friend,” I admitted.

She smiled wickedly. “More than a friend, I’d say. Hopefully he isn’t demanding a quid pro quo.”

“Don’t worry. He’s a good guy.” I realized that Evelyn treated me more like a daughter than my own mother did.

“I need to get back to entertaining guests, but I wanted to congratulate you.” Another round of cheek kisses. “Have a fantastic evening, dear.”

My fantastic evening lasted about two minutes. On my way back inside, I spotted a familiar face, one that made every muscle in my body tense.

“Camryn!”

Evan approached me easily, not a care in the world. Either he didn’t know that I knew about the photos, or he didn’t care.

“It’s been too long, sweetheart.”

“Don’t.” I stepped back as he reached for me, feeling very much like I might projectile vomit on him. Or punch him in the face. “Don’t touch me, and don’t call me sweetheart.”

His face hardened. “You saw the exhibit.”

“I saw my naked body on display without my permission,” I corrected. “How could you do that?”

“Don’t sound so indignant, Cam. You knew that I wasn’t going to delete those photos. I think you wanted me to use them, you just wanted to reserve the right to act outraged about it.” He leered at me. “I think we both know you aren’t as prudish as you pretend.”

“You asshole.” I spoke a little too loudly and a few heads turned.

Evelyn and her friends had gone inside already and I didn’t recognize any of the other onlookers. I carefully weighed whether it would be acceptable for me to punch him in front of these people, then decided against it. I didn’t want to risk ruining the event.

“Please. You should be flattered that I would include you in my work. You’re a pretty girl, Cam, but you aren’t exactly up to my usual standards.”

“Excuse you?” My restraint was quickly fading.

“You’re a little… how do I put this? Ordinary. Average. Less than amazing.”

I had been so blind with fury that I hadn’t even realized that others had joined us. It wasn’t until I heard Macy gasp that I noticed she and Jake were standing nearby. While I had been able to just barely hold back my rage, Jake didn’t even try.

He punched Evan directly in the face without a second of hesitation.

Evan screamed and grabbed his face with both hands. As he started to double over in pain, Jake grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him close.

“You are an insignificant prick. You’re art is blasé and derivative at best. In two years, no one will even remember your name. If you ever talk to Camryn again, I’ll do much worse than this. And if you don’t take down those photos, I’ll take
you
down.”

Then he tossed him aside and turned to me. “Let’s go back inside. I’d like to get away from this piece of shit.”

I took his outstretched hand, no longer hiding my smile.

“Gladly.”

December 13

It’s hard to believe, but Jake and I have been dating for a full month. Even harder to believe is how easy everything has been. He doesn’t play games, doesn’t hide what he’s thinking. He really is one of the best guys I’ve ever known and I’m still convinced that I’m going to screw it up.

I’m leaving Paris in a few days, and it feels like I just got here. This place was so scary and confusing at first, but now it feels like home. Maybe that’s because Evelyn and Macy are here. And Jake. How am I going to leave them?

Evelyn has offered me a position with the studio if I want to come back after graduation, but I’m not sure if I’ll take it. I guess I could always give modeling a shot, too…

Jake is going to come visit me in Chicago in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait for you to meet him. I think you’ll really like him. I’m not sure how we will keep the relationship going long distance, but we’re both willing to try. He’s having me over to his place tonight. It’s probably hard to believe, but I haven’t been there yet. He insisted we take it slow for the first month and really get to know each other. I know- what’s wrong with him, right? So far, nothing.

I need to sign off so I can get ready, but I’ll see you in about a week. Love you bunches, Scottie.

* * *

My hand was shaking as I pushed the buzzer for Jace’s apartment. He buzzed me in right away and my legs felt shaky as I took the stairs up one flight. I was wearing the dress- the one that Jake had paid so much money for and the one that I had worn on our first date. He said that he loved the way it looked on me and I wanted him to get his money’s worth.

“Whoa.” He opened the door and instantly put a hand on his chest. “You literally just took my breath away.”

“Yeah, yeah, cheeseball. Let’s move this along.” I smiled so he would know that I was just teasing him. We both knew that he was the sentimental one in our relationship.

Jake didn’t let me move things too far along. He gave me a long kiss, hands skimming the silky fabric of the dress. “We could just stay right here for a while,” he muttered into my neck.

“The door is still open,” I reminded him. I’d already had enough of an exhibitionist experience in Paris.

He kicked the door shut with his foot. “Better?”

“Are you trying to avoid showing me your place?” I asked when he resumed kissing my neck.

“I’m trying to turn you on, silly,” he said, sounding exasperated.

“News flash- you just have to exist for that to happen.” I kissed the tip of his nose, letting my body brush against his in just the right way. “At least show me the bedroom?”

“I don’t see how I can say no to that.” He smiled sweetly and took my hand. “I think you’ll like the view. You can see the Eiffel Tower.”

“I’m not here for the view, Jake.”

He laughed and led me to the bedroom. I barely glanced at the rest of his place now that my mind was distracted by other thoughts.

A month had been a long time for both of us, so we moved quickly as we undressed each other. Jake guided me to the bed, lowering me gently. He stood next to the bed, in front of the window for several seconds as he took me in.

I couldn’t take my eyes away from him. His body was amazing, yes, but the way that he was looking at me was hypnotizing.

“You were right,” I said. “The view is amazing.”

“You deserve amazing,” he replied, then lowered himself onto the bed above me. Brushing hair from my eyes he said, “Vous êtes incroyable.”

Directly translated,
you are incredible
. But he was really saying,
you are amazing
.

In his arms, so safe and so happy, I didn’t worry at all about our future. I was with Jake tonight, and that was all that mattered. Tomorrow would come and we would face it together, but tonight was our night.

“Jake,” I said, just as his lips were about to close over mine.

He froze.

“Je t’aime,” I whispered.

I love you.

It felt so good to finally say it.

His smile was the only response I needed. It warmed me from the inside out. But Jake was never one to be outdone with it came to bold proclamations.

“Je t’aime pour toujours, Camryn.”

I love you forever.

Be sure to check out the next
Restless Hearts
story

Luck of the Irish

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