Married 24 Times 43 New Friends

When we were called out for the shoot and the photographer started to direct us, I was determined to listen to every suggestion or instruction I received as flawlessly as I could.

"Alice, we'll have you in the middle, but do your best to make your body look long."

I nodded and rolled my shoulders back. In today's shoot, I was the shortest model. Skylar was probably almost as tall as Julian, and Aubrey had been somewhere between both out heights. For magazine shoots, height didn't matter so much, but on a runway, designers often preferred taller models.

Even when my body position felt weird or unnatural, I trusted the photographer. Whatever they saw would definitely be different from what I felt.

"Tilt your elbow out. Yes. Like that."
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"Chin up."

"Look down your nose. Yes, yes."

"Look at her, not me. Bright eyes, bright eyes."

"Put your leg out. Think powerful. Yes!"

The photographer was grinning the whole time. I tried my best to focus solely on the shoot, but I couldn't help noticing the a.s.sistants nodding as they looked at the photos. Whatever the shots, they must look good. I felt a fluttering in my stomach of pride and nerves. They could only be praising the photos because of the other girls.

Whatever the case, as the shoot went on, I enjoyed myself more and more. I started to loosen up and feel more comfortable. When the photographer told us to laugh and just "have fun" I truly felt like I was. I wouldn't say modeling was easier than I had expected, but it was more satisfying than I had been expecting.

"And that's a wrap!"

My arms collapsed out of their posed position. Aubrey stepped away from me and stared at me.

"What?"

"...I might not hate you."

Leaving those words, she turned in her heels and clicked off the set towards the waiting chairs. I stared after her as Skylar giggled next to me.

"That girl, she's definitely not cute."

"...Does that mean she thinks I'm qualified as a model?" I asked.

Skylar shrugged. "It means she won't hold a grudge against you for getting here without any merits, at the very least. You did a great job for your first time."

"If you praise me so much, I'll end up with a huge ego."

"You're a model — your ego could never be too big."

I laughed. "You might be right."

Skylar threw her arm over my shoulder. "Let's go get changed."

We walked back towards the waiting area with Aubrey. She was already halfway through removing her makeup.

After the a.s.sistants helped us out of our outfits and we were all changed, Skylar turned to me. "Do you want to get coffee after this?"

"I'd love to. Aubrey?" I looked over at the silent girl.

Aubrey looked at me for a moment. "Alright."

Skylar's face took on a look of surprise before she broke out in a large grin. "You never accept my invitations."

Aubrey shrugged. "I feel in the mood for a hot drink today."

"So not cute…" Skylar muttered, shaking her head.

These two… I couldn't help the giggle that slipped out. Both girls looked at me with questioning gazes.

"I'm just excited to go out with new people. It's been so long."

"What, does your husband occupy all your time?" Aubrey's curious face had reappeared.

"Oh, no-" Aubrey's eyebrows raised. I realized she had a specific idea in mind when she had asked her question. "N-No!" I could feel my cheeks heating and I knew my face had to be a bright red.

"Whoa now, that's a bright blush you've got there," Skylar teased.

"If I were married to your husband, I wouldn't go out much either."

"Aubrey?!" I stared at her.

She gave me a blank stare. "What?"

"I said it's not that!"

For the first time today, Aubrey's face relaxed into a genuine smile. "Sure, if you say so."

"I agree with Aubrey," Skylar said. "Your husband is a d.a.m.n fine man."

I tried to calm my embarra.s.sment as I followed the girls out of the building. I knew Julian was an attractive man — how could I not — but I hadn't expected someone to be so blunt about it in such a casual manner.

"Well… I can't say he isn't…"

"You better not. I'll gladly take him off your hands. I read in the tabloids he'd gotten married, but who knew it would be to another model?" Skylar let out an exaggerated sigh. "I swore if it wasn't someone at least as pretty as me, I'd steal him from her."

I swung my purse lightly at Skylar as she laughed loudly. "You both better not get any ideas."

"If you tell me about his cute, rich friends I'll delete the photos I have saved of him." Aubrey glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

"What photos?"

"If there's a good photo of him in the news, I screenshot it."

I didn't know how to respond. Skylar laughed again. "Girl, you've got the right idea. Set me up as well."

I looked at both of them and shook my head helplessly. "I'll see what I can do. But you're both younger than any of them!"

"I don't mind older men."

"I like guys a bit older."

They both said amazing lines at the same time. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me.

"I'm starting to think you're both shameless."

"I would never steal a taken man from another woman." Aubrey was busy tapping away at her phone. She eventually turned the screen towards me. A series of paparazzi photos of Julian were all highlighted as she decisively hit the trash icon. The photos were erased from her phone all at once with a chime.

Pulling her phone back with a smile, she said, "You better keep your word."

I was momentarily stunned. This girl was completely serious with everything she said. There was a part of me that felt like no matter what, once we were friends, she would never betray me.

"If I set you up, this means we're friends."

"Deal."

Skylar looked between the two of us and snorted. "You're both so uncute."