Free Changing Scenes (Changing Teams #2) by Jennifer Allis Provost Page A

them until a minute ago.”
    Britt glanced at the runway, did a little chin tip toward Astrid. Astrid did another of those hip thrusts; must be some kind of model sign language. “What, you don’t like her outfit?” Britt asked.
    “It’s a little, ah, revealing,” I replied.
    “Oh.” Britt glanced at the man next to her, then she looked at me and smiled. “You two haven’t gotten quite that far, have you?”
    “We only ever go to the fish market,” I muttered, not that it was anyone’s business what Astrid and I did there, or anywhere. Despite that, my mouth kept running. “Our schedules aren’t really compatible. But I have this weekend off, and I wanted to take her somewhere…”
    “So take her,” Britt said. When I remained silent, she continued, “Come on, you can’t be this shocked. I highly doubt you’ve never seen a topless woman before. Sam saw me topless the day we met.”
    “Sam?”
    Britt laughed, then she leaned back and pulled her companion toward me. “I forgot that you two hadn’t met. Donnie, this is Sam, my fiancé. Sam, this is Astrid’s Donato. He’s making our rehearsal dinner.”
    “Good to meet you,” I said, shaking Sam’s hand.
    “Likewise,” Sam said. “Donato—okay if I call you Donnie?—the modeling world looks a bit weird to outsiders. Trust me, these girls are so comfortable with their bodies that going topless is nothing.”
    “Really,” I said. “How would you feel about all these people gawking at your wife?”
    “Well, now, Astrid isn’t your wife, is she?” Sam countered. I frowned. No, Astrid wasn’t anywhere near being my wife, but that didn’t mean I was okay with the whole town looking at her.
    “Donnie, can I ask you something?” Melody asked.
    “Sure.”
    “Are you upset that all the girls are topless, or just about Astrid?”
    “What?”
    Melody nodded toward the runway, and as I followed her gaze I realized she was right—every single girl was half naked.
    “I didn’t even notice the others,” I said.
    The show ended a few minutes later and the models lined up across the back of the stage in all their half-naked glory. A woman with cotton candy pink hair—who was wearing a shirt, thank God—came out to thunderous applause.
    “That’s Kendra,” Britt said, nodding toward the clothed woman. “I’m so happy for her. She’s wanted a show like this for years.”
    “You model for her too?” I asked.
    “I have,” Britt replied. The applause died down and everyone moved toward the bar. Britt stood and grabbed my forearm, pulling me along with her. “Come on, let’s get out to the bar and save a seat for Astrid. I bet you can’t wait to see her.”
    “Yeah,” I muttered. “Me and everyone else.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Fifteen
     
     
    Astrid
     
    Kendra’s show was received even better than I’d hoped. If the people hanging around backstage were telling the truth, her designs were already getting rave reviews. As for me, I was on cloud nine. The clothes fit as if they were made for me, my makeup and hair were perfect, and Donnie was here. The look on his face when I’d come out in the raspberry dress was enough to curl my meticulously straightened hair. And when I came out in the bikini bottom and sheer cover up, his jaw was in his lap. I guess he liked what he saw.
    I put the raspberry dress back on and made my way out to the after party. I found my people soon enough, thanks to Sam towering over everybody else. I caught Britt’s gaze and she jerked her chin toward the bar; Donnie was standing at the corner, drinking a beer.
    “Hey,” I said, sliding onto the stool next to him. “You look great.” I noticed on the walk over that his butt looked great in those pants, and his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar revealing tan skin and a dusting of dark hair.
    “Thanks. You look covered. Drink?”
    “Um, sure.” Donnie signaled the bartender, and I just stared at him. “Did you really just say that