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Kelly

Hey, send me your updated sizes. I want to make sure we’re prepared for tomorrow. ;)

Stassi shifted between each text message. She landed back on Sage’s.

Stassi

Sounds good. Let me make sure I don’t have anything that needs to be taken care of tomorrow. I come in at one. Hopefully I’ll see you then. We can discuss it. Otherwise, I’ll text you later.

Stassi

I’ll email them to you tonight. Can’t wait.

Sage

Yep, I’ll be there. Come in at noon and have lunch with me. I’ll make it worth your while. ;)

Stassi

I’ll meet you in the cafeteria.

Stassi pocketed her phone and released a breath. It was difficult juggling everything in the air. Made a person’s conscience do all sorts of acrobatic routines. She reached the coffee shop. She hadn’t intended on swinging in for a powerful cup, but she needed something to take the edge off and her usual routine was just what the doctor ordered. Once inside, another text dinged on her phone.

“Are you kidding me?” she mumbled. There was a part of me that wanted it to be Sage again. She was excited about seeing her at lunch, but fearful that things would erupt when she confided, again, about her Saturday plans.

She pulled it out. This time it wasn’t from Kelly or Sage.

Dad

I’m not ignoring you. Things have been busy. How’s work going?

He couldn’t be serious. After the no response to emails, texts, and calls, he was going to message and act like there was nothing crazy going on?

Stassi

Work at the hospital or with my modeling? Both are going well, I suppose you could say. I have a print campaign tomorrow. Excited for the opportunity.

Stassi went up to the counter and the barista nodded. “Usual?”

“Yep. Thanks, Clay.” She pulled out her card and moved it towards the center of the counter. Another text popped up.

Dad

You need to focus on your stable job. That’s the one you’ll be able to make a career out of. Enough worrying about this modeling. It’s a cruel and fickle world out there. Better not to be a part of it.

Stassi

You don’t think I’m a good model?

Dad

It’s not like that, Honey. But they don’t tend to hire older models. That’s just the way things work. If you were still eighteen, then maybe. You know you can’t do this forever.

The man behind Stassi cleared his throat, and she noticed that the coffee was sitting there waiting for her and all eyes were on her. “Sorry,” she mumbled. She grabbed the coffee and card, then hurried to a corner table.

Stassi

Have you seen my messages? I’ve sent you over a dozen emails, texts, and I’ve called you. Haven’t heard anything back. Are you free to actually talk? There’s some shady shit going on and we need to discuss it.