Page 7 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)
"Not that I didn't love modeling, but I'd hate to hear what the industry would have to say about my body now that I've had three kids."
Daphne's jaw drops in disbelief.
"I'm serious!"
"You're stunning. I've seen you in a bathing suit, and you can't even tell you've had one baby, let alone three."
"Thanks, Daphne. Unfortunately, my hips are wider than they used to be, and I'm bigger than I used to be.
" Her brows furrow, so I raise my hand. "Just facts.
I don't think there's anything wrong with my body.
If anything, I love the curves I have that I lacked in my younger days, but those curves would prevent me from booking my favorite couture shows and jobs.
If I were to model again, that's what I would want to do, and If I can't, I don't think I'd want to model.
"I'd like to try my hand at being a manager or an agent for models, broker deals and help them find jobs that not only make them money but fit their brand and treat them well.
There were a lot of shady jobs in my early days that, had I not had a wonderful manager, could've ended badly for me or put me in very vulnerable positions. "
"Wow, I'm glad you had someone to look out for you. I think you'd make a wonderful agent. You're fierce, obviously have knowledge from your years working as a model plus your degree, and you have connections. I think you should go for it."
"Thanks. I think I will. Maybe I'll start looking when I get home, put some feelers out."
"I think that's a great idea." Daphne smiles at me as we pick at our breakfasts and Layla makes a mess.
"So, how are the girls? Have you ladies gotten up to anything fun lately?" I ask.
"They're great. We've all been so busy, so we haven't gotten into any trouble as of late. Actually, we're going to do a last hooray hike this weekend with the Wilson sisters and would love it if you would come with us. I already talked to Ezra about watching the munchkins."
I fight the tears building in my eyes about being included in Daphne's girl gang, but it's tough. I had a group of girls I was close with while I modeled. I thought they were my friends for life, but once I retired and after everything with Nat, I realized those friendships were superficial.
"Hell yeah, I want to come. I can't wait."
"Great! It's a date!"
The rest of breakfast goes by too fast, but it's one of the best days I've had in a long time. When I get home, I get Layla down for her morning nap, then dig out my laptop and phone, and start making a plan on how to become an agent.
The rest of the week flies by as I get in touch with old contacts and make new ones as I gather information on my next steps, as far as my career goes, while I anxiously wait for my girls’ day out.
The kids and I get to the diner in Sparrow Falls and find that it's a full house.
Apparently, the girls' significant others decided to eat breakfast before heading out with the kids, so between our two parties, the place is packed.
I don't mind getting a little extra time with my kiddos before spending the day with the ladies, though.
When it's time to leave, Ez and I decide to swap cars. It's comical watching the panic cross Daphne's face when he hands her the keys to his while I help the kids get settled in their car seats.
"You guys be good for Uncle Ezra today, okay?"
"We will, Mama. I'll help Uncle Ezra with my sisters." Talon puffs out his chest proudly.
"I know you will, baby. Just remember that Uncle Ezra's the boss."
"Yeah, yeah." He rolls his eyes at me.
I ruffle his hair, give him a kiss, then head to the other side of the van to Calla. "Are you excited?"
"Uh-huh, but I misseded you, Mama." Her lip starts to wobble as tears fill her eyes.
My sweet girl is starting to struggle when we have to part, and it breaks my fucking heart every damn time.
"And I'll miss you, but you're going to have so much fun with Uncle Ezra. I think I heard the other guys and kids are going to come over to play. Won't that be fun?"
"Yes!" she cheers, her tears forgotten.
"I love you, Layla Bug." I kiss her on the head.
"Alright, Celly, get out of here. Go have fun. I know we're going to." Ezra wraps me in a hug then pushes me towards his SUV.
"Thanks, big brother. Love you."
"Love you too, Cel."
The drive to the trail head is loud as I listen to Wren and Meadow talk about their latest book club book.
I love that, years ago, they bonded over their love of tattooing and romance novels.
They've invited me to join them, but my life hasn't felt settled enough.
I think I may take them up on their offer in the next few months, though.
Daphne pulls onto a narrow dirt road, worrying about the trees scraping the side of the car, which makes me laugh.
"Don't worry, Daph. Ezra's not gonna care about a scratch."
"I hope not because, at this point, it can't be helped."
The Wilson sisters are dancing in the little clearing when we pull up and park beside them. I can't help but smile at Chayse and Emerson's antics. Spencer seems a little more subdued but enjoys her sisters' shenanigans.
"It's about damn time! Let's go! I can't wait for y'all to see the falls," Chayse hollers.
We grab our bags and start making the hike through the woods.
It's a beautiful day, and I'm sweating by the time Chayse lets us know that we're almost to their secret spot.
Sparrow Falls got its name from the several well-known waterfalls throughout the county, but according to Spencer, there are even more off-the-beaten-path falls that are even more beautiful than some of the big ones that pull in the tourists.
They're the locals' best kept secrets, and I feel honored to get to experience one.
We can hear the falls before we see them, which has excitement building in me and helps push me the last little bit up the trail, until it opens to one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.
The waterfall isn't huge, but its water is crystal clear as it falls into a deep pool below.
There's a rocky beach that we throw our bags on before stripping down and making our way into the water.
"Holy shit! It's cold!" I cry out.
Emerson races past me and dives on Chayse. They both go down, sending a wave of cold water crashing into me.
"Of course it is." Chayse laughs as she resurfaces. "It's a fresh spring."
"I know, but it's still basically summer weather. I thought it would be a little warmer!"
"Just jump in. You'll get used to it!" Emerson encourages.
Taking a deep breath, I dive under the water. It feels like a thousand little knives are stabbing me, but my body quickly adjusts as I tread water. It feels pretty refreshing after sweating on our hike here.
"Fucking hell, that was hot, Cel!" Wren calls as I walk out of the water.
"Seriously. It was like watching a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model photo shoot." Chayse fans her face.
"Oh my god, stahp!" I chide.
"I'm being serious. The way you slid your hands through your hair and down your body was drool worthy. You think you can teach me, so I can send a video to Axle? It will drive him nuts." Emerson wiggles her brows at me teasingly.
"You guys are crazy! I didn't do anything special," I insist, my hands on my hips.
"I don't think you realize how you move. I think it's just ingrained into you by now, but you really are mesmerizing. Your mom said that's why you were such a natural when it came to modeling," Daphne chimes in.
"See? Just give me some pointers. I love torturing my husband." Em holds her hands under her chin as she pouts.
"She really does love to push his buttons." Spencer smiles at her little sister.
"Oh, me too. Cash is too easy to get going."
For the next hour, I give the girls pointers on the best way to pose to accentuate their bodies and the best lighting and angles to take pictures. We even do some sexy shots under the falls and have a lot of fun.
We're warming up on the beach when I catch Wren stomping her foot as she tries to get Daphne's phone out of her hand, even though it's high above her head.
"I was checking to see what time it is and if Ezra needed anything. He wants everyone to come over for a pool party and cookout, and I wanted to make sure he didn't ask me to pick anything up on our way back," Daphne explains to an impatient Wren, who is nagging her about having her phone out.
"Oh, well, that sounds like fun. But why are you laughing?" Meadow tilts her head.
"Celeste, you have to see these." Wren waves me over.
"Okay, I get the laughing now." I smile as she swipes through the pictures. "Who is that?" I stop at one of Layla looking lovingly into the eyes of one of the sexiest men I've ever seen in my life.
Wren gasps before wrenching the phone out of my hand. "Mac! I didn't know he was going to be in town. That's one of Brooks's little brothers."
I arch my brow at Wren's description of the hunk holding my girl. There is nothing little about that man.
"He's a pro hockey player and usually has a crazy busy schedule this time of year. Layla sure does seem to be enraptured with him," Wren teases as I narrow my eyes at her.
"I don't know. I think Mac might be in love." Chayse leans over Wren's shoulder to look at the picture.
"How could he not be? My baby girl is the best."
"She really is," Daphne agrees as she smiles at me. "It's almost 4pm. What do you ladies think about heading back and joining the fun?"
"Let's go!" Emerson jumps up and starts gathering all of our stuff.
We make quick work of cleaning up and hiking back to the cars. Mom calls on our way back, requesting a pit stop for more food and declaring it's her duty to feed us, which is no surprise to Daphne and me.
It takes us less than an hour to get back to Ezra's house, but my interest in meeting the man who seemed smitten with my girl makes it feel much longer. I only hope he'll be there by the time we make it back.