Maybe we should cancel that, too, Jane said, and just go home. They stood in front of the hotel, waiting for the valet to bring their car around. Clearly Ellen isnt going to want Kaylee in her ads now.
I still think you should talk to the agent. Modeling can be incredibly lucrative.
Have you been a model? Jane eyed him up and down, thinking his face and body could sell jeans or motorcycles by the gazillion.
He grinned. No, but Ive hired plenty of them. In New York, some of them make hundreds of dollars an hour.
Well, sure, the supermodels-
No, Im talking about ordinary no-name models.
Really?
A lot of people would kill to get an interview with this agency-its well-known.
All right. I guess I should keep the appointment. Though I cant imagine Kaylees going to make a grand impression with her bandages and her attitude.
My what? Kaylee was always paying attention, alert for the sound of her name.
Your mood. Youre not in a very good mood this morning.
Yes I am.
In that case, before we visit the modeling agency, youll let me brush your hair and put a ribbon in it.
She had to think about that one, finally agreeing with a reluctant, Okay. Combing the tangles out of her long hair was a constant battle, but whenever Jane suggested getting it cut Kaylee threw a fit.
By the time the three of them entered the elegant office building that housed the Freeman Agency, Kaylee had, in fact, perked up. She looked adorable, with her KidznStuff pink overalls, pink ruffled socks and miniature athletic shoes, and a pink ribbon in her hair. She even carried a tiny purple purse, which had been her idea, not Janes. Perhaps she understood what was going on here more fully than Jane gave her credit for.
The receptionist greeted them with a haughty, down-her-nose look. She was tall and elegant, with black hair swept back into a twist. She easily could have been a model herself.
Good morning, Jane said with confidence she didnt feel. Jane Selwyn and Kaylee Simone, here to see Erin Freeman.
The woman consulted her appointment book. If youll have a seat-
Is this Kaylee? A woman with flaming red hair that went in all directions and a pair of thick, blue-framed glasses had burst into the room. Janes first thought was that she belonged on a kids TV show.
Jane extended her hand. This is Kaylee and Im her mother, Jane.
Im Erin, pleased to meet you. Her eyes never left Kaylee. Come on back.
Ill wait here, Max said.
No, please, come with us, Jane said, trying not to sound too desperate. But Max knew so much more about this stuff than she did.
Max shrugged, and they all followed Erin to her enormous corner office, which featured leather furniture and an array of kids toys.
Erin focused her attention first on Kaylee, engaging her in conversation. Kaylee was at her friendly, cheerful best, apparently having overcome the trauma of breakfast. After a few minutes, Erin invited Kaylee to play with whatever toys she wanted, and the adult conversation started.
Lets take a look at her portfolio.
Um, right. She doesnt have one.
No?
Shes never done any modeling.
Erin looked confused. Oh, butwhats this? She had a color printout of the KidznStuff comp Jane had drawn.
Jane looked at Max.
I scanned it into the computer and e-mailed it to Ellen, Max explained.
Thats just a mock-up I did for the ad agency where I work, Jane said with a laugh. I used a snapshot of Kaylee because I happened to have one on hand.
Erin studied the ad for almost a minute without talking. Then she looked up, her eyes alight with inspiration. Are you represented?
Me? Im not a model.
As an artist. Although I could probably get you some print work, but if youll forgive me, pretty women are a dime a dozen. Artists with your talent, on the other hand, are rare. Do you have an agent?
Wellno.
I could get you commissions. Portrait work. I might even be able to get you into a gallery. What else do you have?
Um
She can have her portfolio to you in a couple of weeks, Max said.
Great.
But what about Kaylee? Jane squeaked.
She needs pictures. Erin pulled a business card out of her desk drawer and handed it to Jane. Take her to this photographer and have her headshot done. If I have that, I can get her some work. She definitely has that certain something advertisers go wild for.
Erin then pulled two more cards out, one for Jane and one for Max. Mr. Remington, I hope youll think of the Freeman Agency for your modeling, photography and artistic needs. We have some amazing talent in our stable. Though obviously youve got some of your own right in your backyard. I dont suppose youve done any modeling
No, Max said, closing that door in a hurry.
Janes head was spinning. Photos for Kaylee, an art portfolio for her
She said nothing until they were in the elevator heading for the parking garage. Why did you say that? An art portfolio in two weeks, are you insane?
Max grinned. I told you you were good. If Erin Freeman thinks you are, toothats not something to sneeze at.
But I have a job and a child to take care of. I dont have time to put together a portfolio.
You didwhat, four drawings in one night? Do a few more, and you have a portfolio. Ill give you the time off if you need it.
Butwhy? Didnt he need her? Oh, Lord, was her job in jeopardy? She always came back to that fear.
Because you deserve to succeed. Yes, I want to keep you as an employee, but I dont want to hold you back. If something better comes along, take it. Dont worry about me.
That was just about the most unselfish thing anyone had ever said to her. No one had ever told her she deserved anything.
Thank you, Max. But I like working at the Remington Agency. Its exciting. I might like to do portraits as a sidelineOh, I feel so guilty.
Guilty?
This was supposed to be Kaylees chance to shine, and I stole her big moment.
You didnt steal anything. It was handed to you. Anyway, the door is still open for Kaylee.
Yeah, if I can come up with the money for pictures. Which really is out of the question right now. I bet this photographer charges a fortune.
Ill pay for it.
What? Max, no.
She deserves-
I wont be in debt to you. One promise I made to myself after the divorce was that I would live within my means, no matter what. Kaylee can wait until Ive saved the funds to pay a photographer.
No strings attached.
Oh, but there would be strings. She could already feel them pulling on her, drawing her into a closer emotional bond with Max. And that was crazy-for all the reasons shed gone over and over in her head.
I appreciate the offer, but no, she said firmly.
The drive home was quiet. Kaylee napped through most of it, and Jane looked out the window, unable to stop herself from reliving this mornings breakfast debacle.
Then she remembered something, and she simply had to speak. Max, who is Laura Ann, and why was mentioning her name such a threat to Scott?
Max looked decidedly uncomfortable. Im not sure you want to know.
Yeah, I do. She glanced into the backseat. Kaylees fast asleep. You can tell me.
Max stared straight ahead. I didnt take it seriously when Scott said he would ruin me, but when I mentioned it to Cooper, he went into lawyer mode. He did some digging around and came up with a few skeletons in your exs closet. Laura Ann is an old flame
Go on.
He saw her on and off through your whole marriage.
Huh. Jane couldnt muster much of a reaction. Perhaps shed already known, on some level, that Scott hadnt been faithful.
Im sorry.
She reached across and touched his arm. No, you did the right thing, and it really doesnt bother me. I am well and truly over him.
Max smiled. Good.
THE FOLLOWINGMONDAY, as Max readied the conference room for a client meeting, he still wondered why hed offered to pay for Kaylees modeling photos.
Jane and Kaylee were in no way his responsibility, and it wasnt like him to just hand out money because he had a generous heart. Yeah, he used to be the guy who always bought another round of drinks and took clients and girlfriends to the most expensive restaurant in town. But hed always had an angle.
What possible angle did he have with Jane?
It was a good thing shed turned down his offer. He didnt have wads of disposable cash like he used to. He couldnt just go throwing it around. He needed his liquid assets to keep the agency afloat. Pay salaries. Buy food.
Mr. Remington, your two oclock meeting is here, Carol said over the intercom in her most obsequious voice. He had to hand it to her, she knew how to play it just right. The client was a local bank. It wasnt an account on the level of KidznStuff, but it was decent. And the marketing guy was a stuffed shirt who would appreciate formality.
Max had actually put on a tie for the occasion.
He went to the reception area and greeted the two men and a woman whod come for the meeting. Both men tried to crush his hand when they shook, and he struggled not to wince.
He couldnt show weakness.
He couldnt show weakness.
When they were all assembled in the conference room, he suddenly realized hed made a tactical error. It was three against one. He was a lone guy, which made him look like small potatoes. He needed a team, like they had.
Excuse me for just one moment. Let me get myassociate.
He stepped into Janes office, where she sat engrossed in her computer graphics, as usual. Even if he didnt have work for her to do, she was always experimenting with the program, learning new tricks, poring over the pages of the instruction manual with a highlighter and sticky notes.
Jane.
She jumped, as she usually did when he interrupted her work. What? She blinked at him owlishly.
I want you to sit in on my meeting with Coastal Bank.
Really? She stood and looked down at herself. Do I look okay?
More than okay. Her tailored slacks skimmed her slim hips and accentuated long legs and a tiny waist, and though there was nothing overtly sexy about her silk blouse, he could see the shape of her breasts clearly.
His mouth watered. You look great. But grab your jacket.
Do I have to say anything?
Just nod when I speak and look utterly supportive.
She smiled. I can do that.
Max didnt waste time on idle getting-to-know-you chit-chat. He sensed this group would want to get right to it. So after a few preliminary comments, he dimmed the lights and started his PowerPoint presentation.