It had been awkward, the walk.

Emmett wanted to pull the guy into the wardrobe trailer and find out just how interested he really was. Edan was being annoyingly quiet and professional now. Emmett just wanted answers… well, more than that but answers first.

Edan left him to sit in one of the little fold out chairs, throwing a towel over Emmett's head for good measure. Emmett wasn't the only one watching intently as he left. A few of the girl models whispered in his wake.

"Did you see the size of him?"

"Damn, I want him on top of me."

Words they thought they should say, probably. The girls looked too young for any real experience. But the comments made him feel bitter and stupid. Emmett had probably just fallen for the show this guy put on for everyone.

Emmett snuck over to where he'd left the clothes he'd arrived in, pulled a cigarette and lighter from the pants pocket. He made his way around to the backside of the trailer, not wanting to hear any comments about him ruining his own health. With a quick click and drag it was burning between his lips.

The whole situation was pissing him off now. Had he misread everything? Had he just been a prop to be used? Clearly he was getting overly upset over something he didn't have all of the answers for yet but his thoughts couldn't help but spiral down into darkness.

Before he knew it his cigarette was spent and he dropped it in the sand without a second thought. It was good he hadn't brought the pack. He would've lit another immediately. Instead he scrubbed the towel against his hair. He could feel it standing at wild angles, the product and salt water in it fighting for dominance. The hair and makeup stylists would have their work cut out for them.

---

They weren't as annoyed as he'd feared. With all of the models done up they were just waiting around for touch-ups anyway. He sat quietly as they made him look more human again.

Another photographer collected him when they were done. Using the side of a building for a backdrop it was time for product shots for the magazine and website. A rapid fire shoot with a few different pieces. Emmett couldn't help but laugh when the camera had to focus in on his junk and ass.

Despite his earlier annoyance, Emmett found himself glancing further down the beach. Edan wasn't in front of the camera anymore but he was still loitering around the shoot. Flirting, I guess. It only pissed him off again so he tried not to look.

"I think that does it for you today."

The producer was swiping through a tablet. The screen showed some sort of spreadsheet filled with red and green boxes. One long column of green must have been Emmett's shots for the day.

"You can pick your check up from your agency in a few days and if you want to keep any of the clothes you wore today ask the stylist. Thanks for your hard work."

"No problem." The words drifted out of Emmett's mouth unheard. The producer was already hurrying off to some other task in need of doing. It was fine. He wouldn't have liked to make meaningless small talk anyway.

Emmett crossed back under the tent. It appeared he wasn't the only one on his way out. There was a mini crowd around the stylist's table and clothing racks. Emmett didn't really care to keep more than what he was wearing, and that he only left on out of laziness. The swim trunks likely wouldn't ever be worn again.

He did scoop his day clothes up from their chair and stop by the catering table now that his stomach wasn't tied in knots from nerves. The hours old danishes were still good.

It was a short walk to the parking lot and he'd almost made it to his car.

"Doll face, where are you going so fast?"

The voice shouldn't have made his heart thud so. He swallowed down that first wave of lustful hope; turned to Edan with a perplexed look.

"I've got to get back to my hotel room before I turn into a pumpkin."

"I'm not sure that's how the fairytale goes."

"I think it's open to interpretation."

Edan shook his head but didn't argue the point further. "Tell me Emmett, are you doing anything tomorrow?"

A thin smile twisted Emmett's lips. "That depends, are you?"

Edan chuckled, guessing the direction of Emmett's thoughts. "A runway show actually. I think the designer would be more than happy to include you."

Emmett couldn't hide his disappointment. He flicked out a cigarette, quickly lit it between his teeth. "What? Do I look that hard up for cash?"

"No, I just thought it would be fun if I could see you there."

"Right, at work. I can think of some other fun things I'd rather be doing."

Edan looked smug. "I thought we'd go ahead and do the fun stuff tonight. Where do you want it? Your room, or mine?"

Emmett stared at Edan, searching for falsehood or ill intent. His latest drag was burning in his lungs and he blew it out slowly through his teeth. He let his smile return, wider than before. “Why don’t you show me yours?”