“Hi, how can I help you?”
“Hello, I’m Kate’s friend. I’m here to pick her up but I’m a little early.”
“Oh, you must be Jon! She told us all about you. I’m Teagan.” She offers a wide smile, pulls her phone from the desk, and cradles it at her ear. “Kate. Jon’s here for you. Yep. Sure thing.”
“She’s still finishing up. She’ll come get you in a minute if you want to have a seat.”
“Yep. Thanks, Teagan.”
I move to sit in a space age looking silver chair and try to settle in to wait. The furniture is cool to look at but about as comfortable as a metal bleacher. Thankfully, only a few minutes pass before Kate emerges from the hallway.
“Hey, Jon. I’ve still got some work left before I can wrap up, do you want to leave and come back? I’m sorry, I should have called.” I pull myself up from the chair and loud boisterous voices follow Kate from down the hall. Soon the small waiting room is filled with several faces I’ve never met before and a few I have.
“Hey, Jon!” Marc waves and Steph nods my way before they head into their offices. Kate gives me an apologetic smile before she steps closer and gains the attention of the group.
“You know how I told you about the band we are working with over the next few weeks? Well, these are the members of Three Ugly Guys. Derek plays drums.” She gestures to the guy whose arms are covered in ink. I nod his way and he smiles. I catch the flash of silver from inside his mouth.
“Sean plays bass.” A bigger dude with a shaved head and a few tats of his own nods my way. “’Sup.”
“Austin plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, as well.” He steps forward and offers his hand to shake. “How’s it going, man? Nice to meet you. Any friend of Kate’s is a friend of ours.” We shake hands and I can already tell he’s the diplomat of the group.
Jason pops his head around the hallway. “Kate, let’s wrap up the individuals before we call it quits today. Oh, hey, Jon. How’s is going?”
“Good. How about you, Jason?”
“No complaints here. Especially with these superstar clients. Sean, you’re up first.” Sean follows Jason down the hallway.
Kate looks around the room, brows knit. “Uh, guys, where did Trent go?”
“He’s waiting for you in your office.” Derek laughs.
“Why? That’s weird. Did someone tell him to do that?” More chuckles from Derek.
“Nah. Probably just trying to get you alone. He wants you, Miss Bryant.”
Austin joins Derek’s laughter. “Yeah, he does. In the worst way. Be strong, Kate.”
Kate turns and strides down the hallway and I follow. If some douche name Trent tries to make a move on Kate I’m not waiting in the lobby like a loser. As Kate enters her office I’m right behind her, finding Trent lounging on the white couch, grinning ear to ear.
“I knew you’d eventually have to come in here.”
“Hey Trent.” Kate smiles her megawatt smile. “I heard you were waiting for me. I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Jon. Jon, this is Trent, lead vocalist of Three Ugly Guys.” He gives me a once over and a nod and I can’t seem to help the words that spill from my mouth.
“So, you must be the ugly one?” He stands to his full height and gives me a lazy grin. He’s taller than me by a few inches, but I’ve got him beat with bulk. His hair is long for a dude. He runs a hand through it and tucks it behind his ears.
“Kate, you didn’t tell me you had a jealous meathead for a boyfriend.” She rolls her eyes.
“He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my roommate. For now.” She glares my way.
“Kate! I need you a sec!” Jason calls from down the hall. She sends me one last warning glower and turns on her heel. Now I’m left alone with the love child of Chris Helmsworth and Adam Levine.
“So, you’re Kate’s roommate?”
“Yeah.”
“You two dating?”
“No.”
“Good.” The corners of Trent’s mouth pull into a grin. “Then, you won’t get in my way as I charm the pants off her.” I scowl and straighten my spine to my full height. I take one step closer to this jackass.
“What the fuck did you just say?” His hands raise in surrender and he backs up a few steps.
“Whoa! No offense man. I’m sure you’ve noticed what a fine piece of ass she is, that’s all I’m saying.”
“She’s a hell of a lot more than a piece of ass, so until you grow up or can see that, I suggest you stay the hell away from her.” Trent chuckles under his breath before he steps toe to toe with me. His easygoing demeanor from earlier is gone. He narrows his gaze to meet my own. The air crackles with tension so thick I can almost taste it. My muscles tighten in response, ready and willing to fight if this guy lifts one finger.
“Challenge accepted, Johnny boy.” The door swings open and my eyes shift to see Kate standing at the doorway, her gaze narrowed as she studies Trent and me.
“You boys want to pull out your dicks now? Get this over with and see who’s bigger?” Her sassy attitude breaks the tension. Trent laughs and steps away from me.
“No need, chick. I’m absolutely certain that’s a contest I’d win.”
“Maybe I should give you a gold star? Come on, they need you again.” She gestures to him and turns. Trent jogs to catch up but I hear them as they walk back down the hall.
“Sure, you can give it to me on our first date.”
“I didn’t agree to a first date.”
“Not yet, but you will.” Their voices fade and I can’t hear any more without following them. Fucker. I don’t like Trent; something about him gives me a bad feeling. He’s trouble, that’s for sure, and I hope Kate realizes it and steers clear.
I’m wound up and restless from my little encounter with music man so I walk around Kate’s office, searching. For what, I don’t know. I’m too irritated to sit still and wait. Her laptop sits open at her desk and I glance at the screen. No, not going there. I’m not a total dick and going there would be invasive of her privacy.
As I walk around her desk I notice one of the middle drawers is ajar about an inch. Bored and curious I can’t help but slide the drawer open. What’s inside has my total attention.
I plop into Kate’s chair and pull out the stack of prints. A large stack too, I’d estimate fifty or more, and carefully flip through them. Nudes. All of the photographs printed in black and white and of subjects, mostly males, but of all different ages, races, and styles. And though the subjects wear no clothes, they are posed or covered in such a way that doesn’t speak vulgar or pornographic, but more like art that pushes boundaries.
The photographer has captured feeling and intensity in each portrait. I’m not an art expert or anything, but these are good. I wonder which of Kate’s employers took them.
“What are you doing?” Kate’s low tone stops my perusal as she enters her office. I stand and set down the photographs.
“You caught me red-handed. I found these photographs and couldn’t help but look through them. They are really good. Are they going in a show or something?”
Kate strides to her desk and begins sorting the photos back into order. She laughs softly and shakes her head.
“Oh, God no. I wish. You like them?” She looks up from under her lashes, a pink hue colors her cheeks and it hits me.
“You took these?” She narrows her gaze and scowls before she shoves the collection back into her desk with a forceful thud.
“Don’t sound so surprised! I’m not always a total idiot.”
She tries to turn away but I catch her arm.
“Hey, Kate. I don’t think you’re an idiot. These are just really good. Like really good and should be hanging in some art collection. You’ve been holding out on us, Bryant. Do you have any other secret talents I don’t know about?” A grin pulls at her lips and she lets out a giggle.