So he knew about her career. Good. Now he knew she didn’t pine away for him after he’d broken her heart all those years ago. She’d moved on and done something with her life. She had worked focused completely on her career over the past fifteen years and become one of the top models in the industry. Who needed a man or children when you could dine in the finest restaurants and stay in posh hotels all around the world while wearing fabulous clothes created by top designers? She was much happier alone.
Liar! She squashed her conscious as she nodded at Nick.
“So are you planning to follow me around to see who I come into contact with?”
“Nothing like that yet,” Nick said. “I wouldn’t want to intrude on your life.”
Too late.
“Just a list of people you see on a daily basis or who you’d be likely to see doing certain jobs,” Faye added.
“All right,” Jayne nodded, uncrossing her legs and sitting up. “When do you need this?”
“As soon as possible.”
“I’ll have my assistant get right on that,” Jayne said standing up. Nick stood too and she was surprised to see that he was a few inches taller than her six foot frame. She usually towered over most men she met. Of course the last time she’d seen him they’d still been teenagers and she hadn’t hit her full height then. Apparently neither had he.
“Jayne, I don’t think you should go to the show tomorrow night,” Faye said, looking at her with a worried frown.
“Don’t be silly, of course I’m going,” Jayne dismissed her agent’s concern with a flick of her wrist. “It’s been scheduled for months and I can’t back out at the last minute. You know that Faye, it would ruin my career.”
Faye sighed and nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. Jayne knew she was probably dying for a cigarette but wouldn’t light up as long as Nick was there. They were supposedly smoke free in this building.
“What’s the show?” Nick asked and Jayne checked her temper. Now he was going to want to come. He’d say it was for research but what red blooded American male wouldn’t find an excuse to attend if he could?
“Vanessa’s Closet Fashion show.”
“Ah,” Nick’s eyes lit up and he grinned as he looked at her current outfit with new appreciation. “Will you be wearing that?”
“Oh, shut up,” Jayne said with annoyance. “I’ll have my assistant, Shelley send over a couple tickets, Detective.” Like they both didn’t know how much research he’d get done.
“Can you throw in a couple of backstage passes?”
“You pig,” Jayne said sharply, forgetting for a minute why he wanted to attend the show. All she could think of was how all the models backstage would be naked between skimpy outfits.
Damn him, I don’t care if he sees a hundred women naked, I am so over him.
“Jayne!” Faye stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Nick and piercing her with a dirty look. “Of course we will.”
“Thanks,” Nick said. “Guess I’ll get out of here for now. I’ll see you tomorrow Jayne.”
She was too furious to speak, so she only nodded at him as he let himself out.
Shit, why does he have to look so good after all this time?
“Jayne Stapleton, what’s gotten into you?” Faye demanded when the door was safely shut behind him.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Jayne said defiantly, stifling the urge to scream.
“He’s just doing his job and you acted like he was the pervert.”
“Aren’t all men pigs when it comes right down to it?”
“Why are you still on that kick?” Faye circled behind her desk and rummaged around until she came up with a cigarette. “Who was the devil of a man who made you think all men are like that?”
Jayne stared at her agent as she lit a cigarette and blew smoke toward the air filter.
“He just left the room,” she replied.
Chapter 6
Nick tapped his pen impatiently on his knee as he waited for Steve to pick up. The members of the team he’d put together to find the “Model Killer” were all off on different assignments but he’d definitely hit the jackpot. He hadn’t expected to be invited, however reluctantly the invitation had been given, to one of the biggest shows for models in New York City, but he was pleased. First of all it was a great way to really get to know what type of people surrounded models and second he’d have another chance to see Jayne and maybe get her to warm up to him a little.
He smiled as he thought about Jayne’s reaction to his invitation. She’d been so mad that he’d seen her in that lingerie set, she hadn’t been able to hide it. By the time she’d turned around after making a point of showing off her backside, he’d managed to get his reaction under control. It was a good thing Faye had been distracted by her entrance too, or she’d have seen his jaw drop.
So much for being unaffected.
All this time he’d thought he was over her but one look at that curvy bottom in the thong she’d been wearing he’d realized he hadn’t. He was still a little hurt that she hadn’t believed him all those years ago. It was obvious from the way she had reacted to him she still hadn’t forgiven him.
Her loss.
“Hey man, what’s up?” Steve’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Steve, I need your help with some interviews,” Nick grinned as he thought about his partner’s reaction when he found out who they were interviewing.
* * * *
“Ten minutes everyone.” Jayne glanced up at the sound of the show’s director’s booming voice over the chaos in the holding area where the girls were getting ready for the show.
“Hey.” Her heart stopped at the sound of his voice and then started racing wildly. Taking a deep breath she turned and flashed a big smile his way.
“Hi Nick.”
She clenched her jaw to keep her smile in place when he looked appreciatively at her costume. Well, what there was of it. A rich purple skimpy thong and push up bra certainly enhanced what she had.
Nick cleared his throat and seemed to make a point of making eye contact.
Guess my ‘pig’ comment yesterday hit home.
“Jayne, you look…ahem…fantastic.”
Was that a blush? Genuine amusement made her laugh at his attempts to appear unaffected by her attire.
“Thanks.” Jayne decided he was trying to be professional and the least she could do was do the same. “I still have to have my wings attached.”
“Wings?”
“Yeah, you know, the Vanessa’s Closet Fairies?”
“Ah, right.” Nick nodded as if he understood what she was talking about.
“Haven’t you ever watched a fashion show before, Detective?”
“Afraid not.”
Jayne laughed at his expression as he tried to avoid looking at anyone below the neck. Models were running around in all stages of undress and considering that this was a lingerie show when they were dressed, they weren’t wearing much.
“Nick.” They