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“Excuse me?” I bark, her comment getting under my skin.

My sister’s laughter filters through the phone. “Calm down, will you? Don’t lie to me. I saw the way you looked at her, and I’m happy for you. I loved Gabby, and so did Luca.” The news of my sister and nephew loving Gabriella makes my heart swell. They are two of the most important people in my life, and their approval means everything to me because whoever is a part of my life would be a part of theirs.

“It’s erm, a long story and complicated,” I mumble, hoping she’ll let it go.

“Well, lucky for you, big bro, I have no life and I’m free as a bird, so start at the beginning and don’t you dare leave out a thing.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gabriella

I walk through the revolving glass doors of what I assume is a hotel and to the reception desk, where a woman with dark hair in a sleek bun and a white blouse sits.

“Hi, my name’s Gabriella. I am here to meet Paula?” I say it more as a question than a statement.

“Ah, yes, Paula is up on the top floor in the studio. Would you like me to show you the way?”

I shake my head. “No, that’s okay. I can find it. Thank you.”

I head back to the elevator and step inside, hitting the button for the top floor, wracking my brains as to what he could have booked me for.

I exit the elevator, and I’m immediately met with a sign that says ‘studio’ directing me to the left. I walk down the hall andpush through double doors, stopping dead in my tracks when I take in the scene before me.

Lights, screens, a white backdrop, tables of makeup, rails of clothes lined up. This is a modeling studio?

“Hey, Gabriella, I’m Paula. It’s great to meet you.” A woman with thick black glasses, curly short blonde hair, who’s maybe in her late forties at a guess, wearing a black jumpsuit, walks towards me holding a camera.

“Yeah, hi, my friend Brad said you were expecting me, but I don’t know what for.” A nervous laugh escapes me, and I begin pinging the elastic on my wrist.

“Why don’t you head into the dressing room back there? There’s something for you in there and then we can chat about how this afternoon will go. Sound okay?”

“Sure, thanks.” The dressing room is filled with more rails of clothing, a counter with mirrors that line the wall surrounded by lights. There, on the counter in a crystal vase, are the most beautiful pink peonies I’ve ever seen. I inhale the scent and notice the card beside them with my name on it.

I open it with shaky fingers, still so unsure of why I’m here.

Gabriella,

I hope this experience helps you see what I see. A beautiful confident

woman, who is more than enough.

B x

“That’s great, Gabby, just pop your hip a little for me… perfect.” I do as Paula suggests, and the flashes go off. I’ve been at this for nearly an hour now. We’ve done several different looks and I feel like a million dollars after the hair and makeup artist were through with me. After each round, Paula shows me the unedited photos she’s taken of me. I look carefree, the kind of girl you notice in a room, the one that’s not overlooked or told she’s too much, or not enough. No, the girl on the screen looks happy. She looks enough, and she is me.

“Now, there’s no pressure, but we have some lingerie if you want to do any shoots with those. I hesitate for a second and then remember why I’m here: to see myself how he sees me.

“Let’s do it.”

“Gabriella, this is great. Have you considered modeling? If you haven’t, you should.” Her suggestion makes me blush.

“No, it’s not something I’ve considered,” I say shyly.

“Well, you should.”

“I’d have to agree,” a deep voice booms from the back of the room. I’d know that voice anywhere. Brad comes into view, and if a single look could undress you, then the way he’s looking at me right now would have me naked in seconds.

“Okay, I think we are done here. Gabriella, you’ve been a dream. Seriously, if you want some modeling work, give me a call. I’ll make a start editing these while you get sorted, . Everything you’ve worn today is yours.”