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Arianna shook her head. “But I heard that you and the other model negotiated for better pay. I’m getting a whole month’s salary back in Singapore. Plus the week off. I can’t believe it.”

“A month’s salary? Damn. I think I’m getting half.”

“Oh, should I not have said something?”

“No, I’m glad you did. I’ll have to do the conversion to see how fucked I am right now.”

She said it with a laugh, but it only confused Arianna. Not that she had much time to be flummoxed. Although she swore only a few minutes had passed since encountering Sherry again, the second model was finished with her shoot and coming backstage. Arianna had about ten minutes before everything was reset for her.

Enough time to see who else came backstage.

“Well, well.” Riley removed her pilot’s hat the moment she saw Sherry and Arianna. “I knew we had some lovely women working for us, but this is quite the sight. Look at how your uniforms match! The devil’s in the details.”Sherry rolled her eyes while Arianna was compelled to giggle. “I remember you. You were also at the mixer a while ago.”

“It’s a small world,” Sherry whispered to her. “I mean, Riley’s the copilot on my Seattle route. Watch out for her. She’s trouble.”

“What kind of trouble am I?” Riley leaned against Arianna’s vanity, the bright lights illuminating the makeup on her face and the product in her short hair. “Don’t hold back. Remember, I’m not Sven.”

“Who’s Sven?” Arianna asked.

“The captain of the LA-Seattle route,” Sherry said. “A real hardass. Always making Riley’s life rough, huh?”

“He’s a stickler for the details and does everything by the book. Can’t even go to the lavatory without repeating every step of the process to him. Then again…” Riley acquired a pensive look on her round face. “He’s never had an incident, so it must be working.”

“This is why you will never be captain. You’re a rogue.”

“Who said I wanted to be captain? Too much responsibility.”

“Right. Being in that uniform gets you enough women as it is.”

“You might be surprised…” Riley said that while watching for Arianna’s reaction. “Not everyone is impressed by my CV.”

Arianna realized that all eyes were on her. “Am I supposed to say something?”

“Only if you want to, sweetheart.” Riley tossed her the hat. “Care to try it on for size? I bet it would be adorable on you.”

“For a moment.” Arianna brushed the top of the hat before setting it gently atop her head. She was surprised at how big it was, considering Riley wasn’t taller than her, nor did her head look that big. “Here.” She handed Riley her phone. “Could you take a picture?”

The phone was quickly in the copilot’s hand. “See how quickly she acclimates?” Riley asked Sherry, who looked on in mild amusement. “You could learn a few things from her.”

“You’re an awful flirt. Leave the poor girl alone.”

Arianna smiled for a picture. When Riley didn’t immediately hand back her phone, she asked, “What is it? Can’t figure out the app? I have it set to English.”

Riley soon snapped out of it. “No problem, kid. Here you go.” She finally gave Arianna back her phone. “I think they’re about to call you. See you again for the group shot?”

Arianna put her phone back in her purse. “Sure. Is it fun?”

“The best. You’ll love it.”

With renewed awe in her spirit, Arianna marched out onto the set with a smile so big that nobody had to tell her to go bigger.

“It was amazing.” Arianna twirled in the hotel suite as if showing Elle what it was like to model for a professional photographer on a commercial set. “I've never felt like such a princess before. Have you ever done something like that?”

Elle shook her head from where she sat on the low couch in front of a giant TV she never turned on if she could help it. “Nobody's ever approached me about being a model before. I'm good with that, though. I don't like being in front of cameras.” She wouldn't mention this, but there was a reason there were few corporate photos available of her online. Elle knew there had been multiple headshots and such taken over the past year, but if she requested they not be on the website, it was honored. Before, it was simply because she wasn't comfortable with having her face out there. Now? I've got to figure out how to tell her. The part of Elle wanting to wait this relationship out to see if the drama was worth it was at battle with the practical side that dictated it was better to rip off the Band-Aid before the wound was likely to bleed again. The longer I wait… the worse I look.

But this was far from the time to think about it. Especially when Arianna twirled in her direction, intent on dropping onto the couch right next to Elle.

Her perfume was a flowery waft that bloomed right in Elle's face.