Page 21 of The Bad Girl

Chapter 9

Maxwell

I have to hand it to myself, Stacey is the perfect person for the job. Watching her direct Nadine from the desk to the table to the cabinet to the elevator is like watching a world-class choreographer at work.

“I don’t want a toothy grin!” the pint-sized PR rep snaps. “Give me a smirk! A wry grin! A secretive gaze for Christ’s sake.”

The photographer, Angela RyLynn, circles Nadine, getting shots from each angle.

“Relax, Nadine!” Stacey shouts.

“This doesn’t come naturally for me!” Nadine protests.

“What, you think this is easy for me? My last name is a low-classy underwear brand—we all have shit to overcome!”

I lean into Stacey and whisper, “That shot of her next to the desk is one heck of an angle. It elongates her legs, and the lighting is perfect, but maybe we should have her leaning over a tad?”

Stacey sneers at me. “So it looks like a staged shot?” Her gaze travels back at Nadine. “Time to change.”

Nadine’s shoulders slump in defeat at the prospect of outfit number five, and I wonder if she regrets asking for help. Stacey’s personality, although effective, is…a bit tyrannical, and knowing Nadine, she’s terrified of not being in control.

“Put this on!” Stacey thrusts a lilac-colored dress at Nadine. “We’re going to get a shot of you with Maxwell and then have you photoshopped into a cafe. That will get some attention.”

Nadine walks towards the bathroom.

“Do you really need to head off to the loo for every wardrobe change?” Stacey barks.

Nadine spins on her heels, facing Stacey. “All I needed was new makeup ideas and maybe a pair of fuck-me heels.”

“And where would that have gotten ya?” Stacey returns.

Nadine pivots back around, storming off to the bathroom.

Stacey gives me a dejected look. “This Tom asshole is not going to deserve her. I don’t even know why she likes him to begin with.”

I draw in my brow. “He’s a handsome fellow. He owns a small chain of bike shops, so he has a little bit of money and isn’t a total scumbag.

“He’s going to take one look at her, see she’s not a hoodrat, and bounce. Maybe he’ll allow her to suck his cock before heading off—if she’s lucky.” Stacey gives me an exaggerated double-wink.

The funny thing about Stacey is that she’s absolutely wild, but her taste in men is rather tame. Her current steady is a museum curator and is as dry as toast.

“Why are you so interested in helping her then?” I ask.

“Oh, I don’t give a fuck about helping her. I’m getting paid.”

I pull out my phone. “Then, I guess I should give you that bonus I promised you.”

“Add an extra zero, while you’re at it.”

“Thought you were insane, hadn’t figured you for greedy.”

“She’s cute, ya know.”

“Who?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know who I’m talking about. I see the way you look at her.”

“Nadine?”