{Chapter Three} 

It's been a week since I first started shadowing my mom. Of course, like the little weirdo I am, I spent the entire week with my mother, vehemently avoiding Jer. It's not that I don't like Jer, because I definitely don't *not like him. I just don't want to be alone with him when just hearing his name gives me a strange chill.

But this week is different. As it was painfully pointed out to me by my mother, I *need to shadow Jer, so I can actually do good on the paper. I wanted to crawl in a hole when she told me that but instead I mumbled a *'yeah, sure' and hoped she wouldn't bring it up again, which she hasn't.

I push those thoughts away quickly though and instead focus on where I'm going. I just finished dropping Lydia off at her mom's work, so I'm heading to my own mother's work. The drive is silent save for the light hum of my beautiful engine and the soft music playing from my speakers. Though, while driving I can't stop my thoughts from turning to Jer.

When I first met him a week ago, I did actually consider getting to know him better, but for some reason, the thought of being alone with the man scared me more than the full quadratic formula. Though, at the same time I can't help but want to spend time with Jer.

These have been my conflicting thoughts for the past week.

I want to get to know Jer, but at the same time, I want to avoid all interactions I possibly can. And every time I decide to do one thing I end up deciding to do something different.

I sigh and park in what has become my usual parking spot under a tree close to the building. I get out, lock my car, and trudge up the stone walkway towards the large building. I walk into the warm lobby, ignoring Julie who still has yet to warm up to me, and head straight towards my mom's office. When I get there though, I realize she isn't alone. Jer is leaning against a wall behind my mom, talking animatedly about what sounds like a deal to get a new shipment to a large department store.

Even though my mom isn't looking at him, Jer is gesturing with his hands. His eyes are bright and his lips are moving a million miles a minute while he attempts to explain everything. Meanwhile, my mom simply nods and makes a small comment here or there while typing quickly on her computer.

I can't help but feel like a creep, standing just behind a wall to watch Jer. But it's impossible not to watch him. He's so, interesting. And he is obviously enjoying what he's talking about. Though, as I begin to listen I realize the topic has shifted to something that isn't work related so I decide now would be a good time to make my presence known.

I step away from the wall and act as if I just got there, hoping they don't question me. I clear my throat as I walk into my mom's office and both my mother and Jer jump in surprise before their eyes land on me. I clear my throat once more, fidgeting a bit with both their eyes on me.

“I'm here,” I state dumbly for lack of anything else to say. My mom looks amused by my redundant proclamation but doesn't comment on it.

“Oh good, I was just talking to Jer about the new shipment we just received. It's our new line of Fall attire. You can stick with him today since I'm busy fixing up the website right now, which would definitely bore you. If that's alright with Jer, of course.” She explains brightly, motioning behind her at Jer who hasn't moved from his position other than when his head turned to face me. I try to think of a quick excuse to get out of it, but before I can open my mouth, let alone grasp at a good excuse not to be with Jer, he speaks.

“Of course, I'd love to get to know you better. Come on,” Jer replies, smiling a brilliant white smile as he finally pushes off the wall and walks past me, obviously assuming I'll follow. I do, of course, but only because I know my mom doesn't want to deal with me right now. It's not that she's mad at me, but I know she's in the zone and is probably tired of spending hours on end answering all my pointless questions while she attempts to work.

I trail behind Jer at a safe distance, examining his clothing choices today. He's wearing a black undershirt that define his muscles well and show off his tattoos, with a pair of torn jeans, a black watch, numerous different rings, and black sneakers. I avert my eyes from his body though, deciding to keep my eyes on the floor.

I only take my eyes off the floor when Jer stops in front of a door. I look around in confusion, wondering where we are since I wasn't actually paying attention. My eyes return the Jer's back, waiting while he opens the door.

He walks into the room, motioning for me to follow, and when I step in I stop dead in my tracks.

I thought I would find a clean, pristine office with a sparse sprinkle of furniture; maybe a desk with a desktop computer, a chair, and possibly a couch or something. What I did not expect was a room full of a mixture of drawings taped to the walls, cut outs of fashion magazines, drawing boards, scattered pieces of random fabric. The room wasn't necessarily a mess, the floor is clean at least, but the walls – that I don't even know the color of – are covered completely in paper. Though, there are two couches, a sleek steel desk holding an equally sleek computer, and a couple scattered chairs.

“Wow,” I mutter under my breath, jumping slightly when the door closes behind me on it's own accord. Jer chuckles, walking over to his computer to type some things in before his eyes fall on me.

“Not what you were expecting?” He questions, pulling his phone out of his pocket only to place it on the desk.

“No, it definitely isn't.” I answer truthfully, walking over to a black leather couch. I sit down and watch Jer who opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted by his phone. He gives me an apologetic look before answering his ringing phone.

“Cole Fashion and Design, Jeremiah Cole speaking.” He answers professionally, nodding not a moment later before his deep brows knit together in adorable confusion.

“What? Why is that?” Jer questions, seeming to unconsciously tilt his head to the side in further confusion. After a moment he sighs, but nods. “Okay, thank you for informing me, Jane. Please do tell me when they are free again.” He adds before hanging up, running a hand through his hair, before his eyes land on me and he grins.

“What?” I ask in confusion, sitting up straighter on the couch while he walks around his desk towards me.

“What would you say to being a model for the day? The models who were supposed to come just canceled for a bigger gig and I need to get some pictures sent into numerous stores for the displays. You're the perfect candidate for our men's line, you don't have any noticeable flaws.” He adds, his eyes roaming up and down my body numerous times, making my face involuntarily heat up.

“Uh, I mean, I don't know anything about modeling. And don't you need my parents' consent?” I question. He shrugs, tapping away at his phone for no more than a minute before his eyes return to me.

“Your mom said it's fine. And there's nothing to it, come on.” He adds before walking towards a wall. I feel my brows furrow in confusion at that until Jer opens a door that I hadn't noticed before, to a new room. I follow him in, hearing the door close behind me once more, and watch as Jer uses his phone to turn on the lights.

When my eyes adjust to the light I notice numerous boxes with clothes scattered around, though there's also different sections in the room with separate lights that are no doubt meant to be the spaces where the models are supposed to be. Some of the spaces have plain white backdrops, others have the company logo and name, and some are ordinary things such as a park.

“What's this?” I ask, taking in the boxes upon boxes of clothes. Though it all seems unorganized at first glance, there actually does seem to be some sort of organization to the entire room.

“Storage, and the area where the models work when they don't have their own preferred venue.” Jer explains, tapping at his phone a few more times before tossing it onto a nearby pile of what looks like winter coats.

“What size are you?” He questions, walking towards an unopened box. I blink once, twice, then clear my throat as the question seems to register.

“Oh, I don't know.” I admit. As embarrassing as it is, my mom buys my clothes. But even when I buy my own clothes, I never bother to check the sizes, I just buy what fits.

“Hm, I figured as much. Strip.” He orders and I swear my eyes bulge right out of their sockets at his dismissive, casual tone.

“What?” I squeak, clearing my throat once more. He glances back at me and rolls his eyes.

“Strip down so I can check the size on your jeans and shirt.” He replies and I realize he means strip to my boxers, not strip naked. Or at least I hope that's what he means. I nod nonetheless and start by kicking my shoes off and pulling my socks off.

I yank my shirt over my head next, vary aware of the fact that Jer is still watching me. I reach down to unbutton and unzip my pants, realizing only at that moment that my fingers are trembling. I roll my eyes at that and pull my jeans off, hoping Jer didn't notice my trembling fingers. I hand Jer my jeans and shirt and he looks at the sizes before tossing the garments away so he can begin his search through the previously unopened boxes.

He pulls out a white button down shirt and gray jeans. He comes towards me, holding the items in his hand but before he hands them to me, his eyes seem to take in my near-nude body. His eyes stop on something just above the waistband of my black boxers, his brows furrowing. He tosses the clothes on a box before he bends down on his haunches in front of me, tracing his fingers over an old scar on my waist. His eyes look up to meet my own and I can't help the mental images filling my mind at his position in front of me.

“Where did this come from?” He questions, seeming to make it more a demand for the answer. I swallow hard, looking away from him while I attempt to control my body.

“I got into an accident when I was younger, it was minor but I was cut pretty deep with a piece of glass. I guess the scar never really went away.” I explain. He nods slowly before standing back up, waving his hand as he picks the earlier discarded clothes back up.

“That's fine, it's pretty light so I can have my editor remove it from the pictures. Here, try these on. They should fit but if not I'll get another size.” He adds before turning to walk over to a bag. He pulls out an expensive looking camera along with a tripod and a different lens. I pull on the clothes while he sets the camera up, but frown when I realize the pants are too small.

“The jeans are too small.” I state, wondering briefly if he heard me at all since he didn't seem to acknowledge that I spoke. But he turns a minute later and grins, walking towards me. He puts his hand to his lips, eying me quickly before he reaches out to unbutton all the buttons on the shirt I had previously just painstakingly buttoned.

“No, they're completely fine.” He replies before pulling me by the wrist towards the area of the room with a black backdrop.

“What am I supposed to do?” I ask as I fidget behind the bright lights. He turns his attention away from his camera before he shrugs.

“I'll tell you if you're doing something wrong, or if I want you to pose a certain way. But honestly, think of it like having sex: just do what feels natural, Lev.”