Page 38 of Full Strength

As I pulled into the parking lot, I began to panic. The lot was full. Normally at this time of the morning it was just me, Ronny, and a few of the stylists. Was there a meeting I forgot about? I ran through my schedule in my head but couldn't think of anything.

Crap.

I hurried from my car to the back door and slipped in. No one was in the room so I went out to the floor. About a dozen people I didn't recognize were buzzing around while Ronny, Peter and the Threads journalist, Walker, stood in the middle of the room.

The photoshoot. My stomach fell to the ground. I’d completely forgotten. How could I let this happen?

Ronny and Peter saw me and waved me over. I smiled and pretended I was completely on top of things. I couldn’t believe I’d dropped the ball on something so important to Reform. I didn't have time to berate myself though. I could do that later.

"Hey Addi, do you know when the models will be here? We're almost done setting up." Peter asked completely ignorant to the fact I'd let him down. I kept my smile in place and looked to Ronny hoping he could read my mind.

Somehow, he did. "They have practice this morning but will be over soon. We can take pictures of the salon while we wait for them."

Peter looked confused but didn’t push it. He led Walker away, pointing out different aspects of the salon. I sighed and leaned against a nearby chair.

"You forgot?" Ronny asked with a hint of a smile.

I dropped my head. "I planned on calling around the day I got sick and completely forgot about it."

"Good thing you have a connection to two dozen of the most attractive men in the city."

I cringed. I hated the thought of calling in yet another favor from my friends, but I really had no choice. There was no way I could find enough models in a short amount of time.

"I'll call Grant."

I went to the back room and picked up my phone. With a moment of hesitation, I hit his name and held the phone to my ear. I was split on whether I wanted him to answer or go to voicemail. He picked up and my nerves increased. How could I possibly still be nervous after yesterday? I should be past that now.

"Hi Addi."

He sounded happy I was calling. That was a good sign. He was in a good mood.

"Grant, I need favor."

There was a pause. "I really thought it would take you months to get to this point, if ever."

I laughed at his sarcastic tone. "It's not that kind of favor."

"Okay then. What kind of favor is it then?"

"I need you."

I smiled at the sound of his laugh. "I like the sound of that."

"Well, I’m going to need more than you."

"I’m not normally one for sharing, Addi."

I rolled my eyes. "Grant, this is serious. I completely forgot about something really important. I was supposed to book models for a photoshoot of the salon for a feature in Threads magazine, but I had it scheduled to do the day I got sick and now they’re here and we have no models. Ronny told them the models were coming later so they're taking picture of the salon right now but I can't hold them off forever. Everyone is going to realize I completely spaced and failed the salon."

"Addison, I need you to take a breath. It's going to be fine. How many people do you need?"

I let out a sigh and felt just a bit of relief, but I knew I wouldn't be able to fully relax until they were here. Or maybe when the shoot was done. Actually, probably not until the magazine issue was published and the whole ordeal became real. Once we see the books fill up and our stylist became the most sought after in the state.

"Probably about five or six."

"Women too?"

I rubbed my head thinking about it, but Threads is a men's magazine. I considered asking Walker but that would involve admitting I was just now getting models.