Page 39 of Hot and Bothered

“It matches your eyes,” he said.

I lowered the bottle of water to stare at him.

“I always thought you had very pretty eyes,” he continued, a smile tugging on the corner of his lips.

“You have pretty eyes too,” I blurted out.

Evan’s smile grew wider and he leaned in again, his lips parting.

“Alice!” Lizzy called out. “Can you come here for a second?”

I flailed backward, putting distance between me and Evan, and stood in a flurry.

“S-sure thing,” I called back, stammering. “Sorry,” I told Evan. “I probably have to go give back the dress.”

“Too bad.” His eyes roved all over me, from head to toe, lingering on my bare legs, a glint of hunger in that vibrant green. “It suits you.”

My fingers clenched down reflexively on the bottle of water, crushing it in my fist before I fled over to Lizzy’s side.

“Hey, would you be willing to do me a huge favor?” she asked urgently when I approached.

“Of course.” Lizzy had been so nice to me, I wanted to repay her in any way I could. “What’s up?”

“One of the models for another shoot today called in sick,” Lizzy said. “We have everything set up and ready but no one to wear the clothes. And you just happen to be the same size.” She gave me a pleading look. “What do you say about getting in front of the camera one more time?”

“Sure,” I told her. “I actually had fun out there. I wouldn’t mind doing it again. Just no more twirling, please,” I added.

“This one is much more low key,” Lizzy assured me. “Lots of lying around doing nothing.”

“Sound easy,” I said.

“Perfect!” Lizzy pushed a handful of clothes into my hands and ushered me behind the sheet. “You’re a lifesaver, Alice!”

“No problem,” I said. “I don’t mind helping out—” I stopped, staring at the fabric in my hand as I shook it out from where it had previously been crumpled into a ball. “Um. Lizzy?”

“Yes?” she asked.

“Where’s the rest of it?”

“Oh!” She let out a small laugh. “I didn’t mention? The brand I work with doesn’t only sell my dresses. They have other clothing lines, too.”

“And I suppose this is…?” I trailed off.

“It’s one of theirs, yes,” she said. “Is there a problem?”

I stared down at the scraps of silk and lace. I gulped. I supposed it wasn’t so bad. It could have been worse. Maybe.

“No,” I said. “No problem.”

“Great!” Lizzy chirped. “See you out there!”

I groaned silently. What had I gotten myself into?

With a sigh, I turned the fabric over and over in my hands trying to figure out how to put it on. I finally managed to squeeze myself into the thing in what I hoped was the right configuration.

I could do this. I didn’t want to let Lizzy down.

I held my breath.