He took a few more and the session with Kyle ended, letting another model take his place. The blonde boy went to change into some more normal clothes and joined Nick soon after. The latter was having a discussion on how he felt when he took the photos when Kyle tapped his shoulder lightly. As he turn to face the model, Nick noticed he was taller after all. He also noticed that the other boy actually wore glasses. Was it for privacy when he would go out? Or did the guy really need glasses to see well? Nick wondered, but he didn’t ask.

“Hey,” Kyle said, seeming a bit embarrassed, “I was thinking that maybe, we could grab a bite together?”

Nick was surprised by the request and looked at his phone to check the time. 11:45. He hadn’t noticed this much time had passed since he arrived, and nodded at the other guy.

“Okay. Let me just ask Ed.” He faced the tall man again to request going out for lunch with Kyle.

“No problem. Kyle is done for this morning, but make sure the both of you are back before two pm for the next session.”

Nick smiled and thanked him, then turned to Kyle and the both of them left the dark room not so dark anymore since the employees opened the curtains to let sunlight enter for the next photoshoot. Nick headed for the stairs and Kyle seemed surprised.

“You’re going for the stairs too?” he asked.

“Kinda have to since the lift’s broken…” the other replied.

“What do you mean the lift’s broken? Who told you that?”

“Erm, Leo. Why? Is it not broken? Did I climb I don’t know how many stairs to come here this morning while I could have used a perfectly fine lift?!” Nick was astonished.

Kyle chuckled. “Leo might have wanted to check if you were obedient, or if you complained. He likes giving such tests to rookies. And there are actually two hundred and sixty eight steps.”

“Because you counted them?! Wait, so it’s you the person who climbs the stairs every day to work?” Nick was really impressed.

“Oh, Leo told you about me too! How nice of him. Yes, I counted the stairs, and yes, I climb them every day. I do so to stay in shape.” Kyle explained.

“I see.”

They left the building after Nick gave back his visitor’s card to Caroline, who glared at him. She apparently didn’t like him at all. Good, he thought, it’s reciprocal.

“I know a good place near here to have a good coffee or a light lunch. Wanna go there?” Kyle offered. “Or would you prefer to eat meat? You look like the type to love meat.”

That last statement made Nick smile. “I don’t mind eating where you like.” he replied. “It was your idea to go in the first place. And you need to watch out what you eat right?”

Kyle sighed. “Yes, that’s right. But I’d kill for a huge burger!”

“In that case, I know the perfect place. I’ll take you there someday; my treat. Let’s go where you want for today.”

“Okay, it’s close by. We can be there in ten minutes, I pass by every day to go to work. This way.”

Kyle showed the way and Nick followed. As they walked, they happily chatted about the photoshoot they just had.

“So,” Nick started, “since when are you a model?”

“Since the beginning of high school.” Kyle explained. “My father’s an actor, and I wanted to follow his steps, so I started modelling.”

“I see. Do you really enjoy it?” the tanned boy asked.

“Of course I do! I still want to be an actor though…” the model looked at his feet.

They walked a bit further in silence until the blonde guy stopped in front of a place called ‘The Red Thread’. Kyle opened the door and a small bell tinkled. He let Nick enter first and followed. The place was nice and cosy. It was not too small, but not big either. The large windows allowed a nice amount of sunlight and heat in. There were enough tables to fit at least fifty people and only a few of them were occupied at the moment. When Nick entered, he smelled the freshly baked pastries and a nice scent of coffee tickled his nostrils.

An old lady dressed in black and white, probably the owner Nick thought, came to them and recognised Kyle.

“Oh my, if I knew you were bringing a friend I would have prepared something nice for him too.” she said, smiling but a bit embarrassed.

“It’s fine grandma!” Kyle replied. “I just met him today, he’s on a work experience at the agency and we’re just gonna grab a lunch. We’ve still got work to do this afternoon so we’ll be quick.”

“Alright then. Take a seat, I’ll bring a menu for your friend.”

She went to the back of the place, and Kyle lead Nick to a table for two, against the window.

“My favourite spot since I’m a kid.” he explained. “I was my grandparents’ first customer. It was my granddad’s idea to open this little café when I said I loved my grandmother’s parfaits.”

The said grandmother brought a menu to Nick and he thanked her, smiling.

“Where is your granddad now?” he asked while looking at the list of choices after the old lady had left their table to take care of new customers. It wasn’t extremely varied, but everything seemed delicious, and he didn’t doubt of the customers’ fidelity.

“He died last year.” Kyle simply said after a short silence.

The other boy raised his head and looked at the model with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

The blonde guy waved his hand in front of him as to shake the matter off and smiled nostalgically. “It’s fine. You couldn’t have known.”

Grandma came back after a while to take Nick’s order. “What can I get you my boy?” she looked at him over her small round glasses as she held a little notepad and a blue pen.

“Erm,” he started, “I’m gonna have your special croque with some peach iced tea please.” he smiled at her and handed back the menu after she wrote down what he had asked for.

“What about you Kyle? As usual?”

“No, I’m gonna take the same as him today!”

She smiled at the both of them and went to the kitchen to prepare them their orders. The two of them chatted, quietly so they didn’t disturb the other customers, and soon their croques and iced teas arrived. Grandma placed the warm plates in front of the two boys and wished them to enjoy their meals before greeting new customers at the entrance.

The croque was served in a plain white plate, but Nick didn’t know why, there was a little je-ne-sais-quoi that made it look like more than a simple plain white plate. The meal was also served with a nicely dressed salad, with bits of tomatoes and cucumber, and he could also smell a freshly prepared vinaigrette. He grabbed his knife and fork, cut a piece into the croque and ate it. Instantly the taste of cheese, ham and egg filled his mouth. But again, there was something more and he couldn’t grasp what exactly. Raising his head to look at Kyle while chewing, he saw the other staring at him with a slight smile on his lips.

“I think I know what you’re thinking right now.” he said mysteriously.

Nick swallowed. “Oh yeah?” he teased. “Then what can I possibly be thinking right now?” His eyes smiled.

Kyle put his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his crossed hands and spoke. “You’re thinking that it’s the best croque you’ve ever tasted in your life.” He smirked. “And there is a reason for that.”

The photographer was intrigued. “Yeah, I was thinking this croque is so damn good! There’s a reason you say? Which one’s that?”

“There is a special ingredient my grandma uses. That’s why it’s called ‘special croque’ and not simply ‘cheese, ham n’ egg’.”

“A special ingredient you say? What?”

Kyle laughed. “You really think I’d tell you? This croque was one of the first things my grandma added on the menu. It was my grandfather who imagined it, and I was the first to know the secret ingredient. I discovered it. Now it’s your turn. I’d agree on doing something for you during an entire day if you ever find out what it is.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “Is that a bet? You think I’ll never find it, am I right?”

“Indeed, you’ll never find what it is.” The model took a bite as well and smiled contentedly. “I never ordered anything from what I usually take since my grandfather passed away. I missed that.” He took another bite.

As they were both eating, Nick got to realise the model was really nice. They finished rather quickly and ordered a chocolate parfait, with caramel icing on top, for two since they were pretty much full when they finished their croques. And nick thought it was a really delicious parfait. He was glad he met Kyle today at the agency. They finished eating and when Nick was about to pay, Kyle stopped him.

“Don’t bother, it’s my treat.” A smirk rose on his lips. “After all, you did said you’d treat me to a burger some day, and I assume you’re not one to break your promises, am I wrong?”

The tanned boy smiled. “No, you’re right.”

They left the place after Kyle paid and hugged his grandmother, and started to slowly walk back to work. After a few minutes, Nick took a deep breath.

“Could I have your phone number?”

The tall blonde guy seemed surprised. “But, you’ll see me everyday until your work experience ends, right? So what’s the point of asking me now? Not that I mind...”

“Oh, it’s just… I thought… it would be more practical to settle a time and place to meet for me to treat you to that burger.”

He was lying. He just wanted his phone number so he was sure today had really happened. The more he spent time with Kyle, the more he came to like him. And during their “date”, he never once thought about Dan. The model seemed a bit troubled, but after some time, he got his phone out of his pocket and started saying his number out loud. Nick had been just quick enough to grasp the last numbers and remember the first ones to enter them in his contact list. When pressing the ‘save’ button, he entered ‘Kyle’ as a contact name. No doubt he would probably change it slightly when he’d be back at the campus.

He also gave his to Kyle and they went back to the agency, light hearted and their stomachs filled, all ready to get back to work. It had been a great day so far, and Nick really hoped to keep this mood up.