Free The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer) by Teresa Rae Page B

return.
                  “I did what I could and sent them home,” Colin says to Becky. He puts away his camera and pulls out a larger one. “Let’s get in a few shots while we still have the light.”
                  I have been a huge disappointment. He is paying me two thousand dollars and probably wants to feel he’s getting something out of the wasted money.
                  The remainder of the day, Colin patiently poses and takes photos of me. It is a lot less pressure being just the two of us. I go to the tent and change swimsuits a couple times, and we move around the beach. When the sun sets the photo shoot ends. I change back into my jeans and hoodie and put on my glasses.
                  “The money has been placed in your account,” Becky tells me. “Do you have a ride home?”
                  “I’m going to catch the bus.” I hold up my ticket before heading out the door, grateful to have the day over. I just want to go home and save what little self-respect I have left.
    Theory #4 has been upgraded to Fact # 7 – Modeling is mortifying.
    Proof – Catty models, crazy photographers, my own ignorance of the fashion world, and bikinis .
                  I run to the bus stop but am too late. My bus home left five minutes earlier. I kick a rock with frustration. Fortunately, Gramps is out fishing.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Marsh will tell him if I don’t make it home before midnight.
                  I sit on the bench and begin rummaging through my backpack. Grateful for my best friend’s forethought, I turn on Jen’s emergency cell phone and dial my house.
                  “Alex?” she answers.
                  “I missed the bus,” I say. “I’m so busted!”
                  “How did the shoot go? Did you get the money?” she asks.
                  “Yeah, I got the money. You better call your mom to come get me.”
                  “Your ride is already on its way,” she says. I can tell she is smiling.
                  “You told your mom?”
                  “No, but I decided it would be best if you didn’t ride the bus alone, at night.”
                  “Who…”
                  I am interrupted by a car pulling up to the bus stop.
                  “Your ride, my lady,” calls Christian from the back seat of a green convertible.
                  “Jen, you are in so much trouble!” I hiss into the phone.
                  “What?” she asks. “Would you have preferred Jackson Powers?”
                  “We’ll talk about this when I get home!” I angrily hang up the phone. I know that Jen was trying to help, but I’m still upset about the prospect of riding home with Christian.
                  “Good evening, Alexandra,” Christian opens the back door for me.
                  “Thanks for the ride,” I mumble as I get into the car and put on my seatbelt.
                  “Have you had an enjoyable day?” he asks.
                  “I’ve had better.” I cross my arms.
                  As always, Sven is driving. He turns on the blinker and merges into traffic.
                  From his seat next to me, Christian is his usual calm, confident, annoying self. He reclines on the seat. “Does your grandfather know about this little adventure of yours?” He raises one of his perfect eyebrows.
                  “No, and you won’t tell him.” I glare at him.
                  “And why would I keep something as important as his granddaughter traipsing around the state a secret from Thomas?” he challenges.
                  “What do you want?” I ask defensively.
                  “As we have a very long drive ahead of