When Jennifer continued to eye her quietly, Kimber shrugged, not wanting to share just how consumed she’d had to be with her looks when she was modeling. She’d worked out all the time and had gotten regular facials, manicures, waxing appointments . . . all sorts of things. Now? Now, she just had a lot of extra time. “I’ll get over it though. I’m volunteering at the library, and I like helping all of you when I can.”
“If you ever want to just talk, I hope you’ll think about talking to me. I mean, if you need someone. I’m a really good listener.”
“I’m sure you are.” Jennifer was sweet. She had been through a horrific experience and still suffered from agoraphobia. She would never judge another person. “Jen, if there was something to talk about, I’d let you know. But I’m fine, I promise.” She shrugged. “I’m just getting through a little midlife crisis. I expected it would happen when I dropped out of modeling and moved to Ohio.” When Bridge crawled back to her, she cuddled him close for a few seconds before he squirmed and headed back to Jennifer, who had become quiet.
Kimber felt like she let Jennifer down, but she wasn’t sure what to say. How could she complain about her life or her confusion about what to do next when Jennifer had already been through so much?
She’d never been happier to hear her cell phone ring. She connected before even looking at the screen.
“Kimber Klein.”
“It’s Brett Day, Kimber.”
Her agent. Forcing her voice to sound positive and not snippy, she said, “Hey, Brett. How are you?”
“I’m good, darling. Excellent.”
“Good to hear it.”
“Listen, doll, we need to talk because something’s come up. It’s exquisite news too.”
Exquisite was his top-of-the-world adjective. Using that word, along with his tone, was Brett at his finest—he was about to pressure her to do something. It was certain that he wasn’t going to back down easily either.
Realizing that this used to be her life, chills ran down her spine. She’d take slightly bored over these verbal gymnastics any day.
After exchanging hand signals with Jennifer, she walked up the stairs. “There’s nothing to say, Brett.”
“Just listen. Women’s Weekly decided to run a special issue and they want you on the cover.”
She stopped. “What?”
“Cover. Women’s Weekly. Special issue. This is big, Kimber. Really big.”
For once, Brett wasn’t exaggerating. The cover of Women’s Weekly was a big deal. At one time it had been her ultimate goal.
He continued. “The amount they’re talking about is six figures, sweetie.”
“Six figures.”
“Yep. And, it includes a four-page spread with you modeling clothes from the top four designers that they chose for the year.” He paused. “They only want you, Kimber.” He lowered his voice. “Do you hear what I’m saying? The magazine is going to be highlighting Kimber Klein as much as the clothes.”
“They’re not hiring a group of women? Just me?” Her voice might have squeaked. This was huge. Bigger than huge. Something every model in the industry worked years to achieve. Something hardly anyone ever achieved.
“At last you’re listening.” His voice noticeably lifted. “I’m so proud of you, Kimber. You’ve worked hard and deserve every bit of this success.”
“We did this together, Brett.”
He chuckled. “I’m feeling pretty jazzed myself. So, is it a yes? Can I call up the publisher and say you’re in?”
Even though she was nodding, Kimber found herself hesitating. “Let me call you tomorrow.”
He let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “Kimber, they’ve got no time for this. You can’t diva out on Women’s Weekly.”
“I’m not diva-ing. All I’m telling you is that I want to think about it for a time. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“You can have twelve hours.”
It was five. “I’m not calling you back at five in the morning, Brett. I’ll call you at nine.”
She could practically hear him grinding his teeth. She felt bad for him too. This was a huge offer and she would be a fool to turn it away. And if he lost the commission on a job like this, it would be really hard.
“Fine. But I’m going to be staring at my phone at nine on the dot tomorrow morning. You better call.”
“I will. And, um, Brett?”
“What now, Kimber?”
This time she didn’t even try to stop herself from smiling. “Thank you for this. I mean it.”
“Sure thing, doll.” His voice warmed. “And, congratulations, Kimber. You worked hard for this. It’s awesome. Really awesome. I’m thrilled for you.”
Hanging up, Kimber knew he was correct. Being asked to do this really was awesome.
Just as she was about to go back down to rejoin Jennifer, her phone rang again. This time she checked the screen, and just about fell off her chair.
“Gunnar?”
“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind me calling.”
“Not at all.” He sounded strange. Maybe worried? “So . . . what’s up? Is Jeremy okay?”
“He’s good.” His voice sounded strained. “I called to see if you’d like to get a drink or something.”
He was asking her out. “Um, when?”
“Tonight?”
“Tonight?”
He kind of groaned under his breath. “I know. There’s probably some kind of dating rule book that says you’re supposed to think I’m being rude and disrespectful because I’m not giving you a ton of notice. But that’s not the case. I just was hoping you could give me an hour or two. I need to talk with someone.”
After looking at her watch again, she realized that the seniors’ dance class was finishing up. Gwen and Shannon would be finished and could help with Bridge duty.
“You know what? I can meet you somewhere downtown. I live downtown.”
“Really? What part?”
“I live above Dance With Me. Do you know it?” A lot of people did. It was a remodeled three-story building that was close to a hundred years old. It was now currently decorated with about a million bright-white lights.
It sounded like he was choking. “Please tell me that’s not the ballroom dance studio.”
“It is. Why? Do you dance?”