Free If the Shoe Fits by Amber T. Smith Page B

street sees me in my underwear.”
    Eleanor ushered her friend through the door and belted her dressing gown, which had somehow become loose during the mad dash to the door.
    â€œDon’t cover up on my account. You look gorgeous!”
    â€œShut up, Jake,” said Eleanor fondly. “Why are you here? It’d better be something good, because I’m on my way to bed.”
    â€œI do hope you have company. It’d be a shame to let the sexiness go to waste.”
    â€œAlone. I’m going to bed alone.”
    â€œAh, well,” sighed Jake. “Still, I’m glad I’m not interrupting, because I need a favor.”
    â€œI’m listening,” said Eleanor. She grabbed a hairbrush and resumed her attempts at detangling her mass of black frizz. “Spit it out, Jake, I haven’t got all night.”
    â€œHeather’s let me down for tomorrow’s shoot. She twisted her ankle ice-skating a couple of hours ago, so she’ll be off work for a few days.”
    â€œShe’s all right, though, isn’t she?”
    â€œOh yes, she’s fine. Cursing at the loss of tomorrow’s pay check, but otherwise her usual self.”
    â€œThat’s good. So what can I do to help? I can’t think of anyone off-hand who could take her place at this short notice.”
    â€œWell, that’s where you come in.”
    â€œMe? Hang on — are you suggesting that I take over for Heather? Are you nuts?”
    â€œIt’s an underwear shoot, sweetie. If anything, you’re better suited for it than Heather is.”
    â€œNo way. Absolutely no bloody way.”
    â€œWe’re shooting the body shots tomorrow, Ella. Your face won’t even be seen, I swear.”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œDarling,” said Jake a little desperately, “I really need you to do this for me. If I don’t provide samples by tomorrow evening, I’ll lose the contract.”
    â€œJake, I am not, nor ever have been, a model!”
    â€œBut you’re perfect for this, Ella, I promise!”
    â€œYou just need someone with a nice pair of boobs,” grumbled Eleanor.
    â€œWell, yes. That’s not the point though.”
    â€œI really think it
is
the point,” said Eleanor dryly. “Look, I’d love to help you, I really would, but modeling? Me?”
    â€œSweetie, just wear what you’ve got on right now, and you’ll be the star of the shoot.”
    Eleanor raised an eyebrow doubtfully.
    â€œCome on,” said Jake, sensing a softening. “It’ll be fun.”
    â€œI don’t know … ”
    â€œJenni will be there to help you. And it’ll only be me and Danny in the studio, so you’ll be among friends.”
    Eleanor brushed the last of the snags from her hair and stared at Jake carefully. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, and honestly, Jake had done her so many favors in the past that she probably owed him something in return.
    â€œYou’re going to do it!” said Jake happily.
    â€œI must be crazy … ”
    Jake whooped and clapped his hands in excitement. He rushed over to Eleanor and kissed her noisily on both cheeks, hugging her tightly in the process.
    â€œThank you! Thank you! Thank you! I promise you’ll be absolutely fine. Now, I’ll leave you to it. Get your butt up to bed and get a decent night’s sleep. The shoot is at nine o’clock sharp.”
    Eleanor nodded, rolling her eyes.
    â€œAnd, Ella?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œBring those shoes with you, they’re divine.”
    Eleanor chuckled as she bolted the front door and headed upstairs. She swiftly dried her hair and got into bed, taking her “divine” shoes off beforehand.
    Today, general dogsbody; tomorrow, underwear model. Bloody hell, Eleanor, what have you done?
    â€¢ • •
    The following morning saw Eleanor in a complete panic. Why on earth had she agreed to this? How the hell was she going