Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 74940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“I don’t think these men are like that.”
She shakes her head. “They’re not. I looked into all of them, and that’s why I wanted to come here. I admit I got into the modeling business young. I had one of those stage moms, you know? She saw my potential by the time I was twelve, and she had me traveling to New York and LA to talk to agents.” June rolls her eyes. “At least she didn’t have me in those kiddie beauty pageants. I’d be more fucked up than I already am.”
She pats my arm. “You’re not fucked up.”
“I am, though. People see an easy target because I’m young—”
“You’re not as young as I am.”
“No, but nearly. Anyway, they think they can take advantage of me because I’m young, I have my own money, and I’m just a pretty face and a hot body, which means I don’t have a brain. But I do have a brain, Ariel.”
“I know that.”
“The problem is that I tried to start a business last year. Sank a lot of my savings into it, and it tanked.”
“What kind of business?”
She looks down and slumps her shoulders. “A line of lingerie for plus-sized women. But no plus-sized woman wants to buy lingerie from someone who looks like me. I thought I was creating something beautiful for body positivity, but I didn’t do the hard research first. I’m still okay financially, but it took a toll on my savings and my ego.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s my own fault. I didn’t have a business plan that was workable. But I’ve always wanted to have my own business. I can’t walk the runway forever, and I don’t have supermodel status.”
“You might someday.”
She shakes her head slowly. “I doubt it. I’m already closer to thirty than I am to twenty. Besides, I don’t want to do this forever. Though I love the travel. I did a shoot in the financial district of Tokyo last year. It was so amazing...”
“Where do you see yourself going next?” I ask.
June straightens her posture and looks me straight in the eye. “Not into lingerie, that’s for sure. Besides, who needs another lingerie line? I think I’d be an excellent agent. And I’d treat my models well. They wouldn’t be arm candy. They’d be human beings, individuals with their own interests and passions, and that’s how they’d be treated.” She sighs. “So I’m here because I’m looking for a partner who can help with those goals. I have money, but not that kind of money. These men aren’t looking just for arm candy. If they were, they wouldn’t be doing it this way. They’re so loaded they could have arm candy for every day of the week. The month. The damned year, for God’s sake. If one of them falls in love with me, I’ll have not just a husband and lover but an asset.”
I raise my eyebrows at her, not quite understanding.
“Maybe not the right word,” she says. “I’m not thinking of a husband as a thing. A partner, you know? Someone who wants the same things I do. Someone who can help me in business, and I can also help him. I want to support his business, and I want him to support mine.”
I close my eyes. “That would be wonderful.” Then I open them. “Of course, I don’t have a lot of business know-how.”
“You can learn. You’re young. Explore life a little.”
I hesitate a bit, fidgeting with my hands. “June, I’m a waitress at a drive-in diner in bumfuck Alabama. I wear roller skates. God, I can’t believe I just told you that. The roller skate part, I mean.”
“Honest work is nothing to be ashamed of, Ariel.”
“I’m not ashamed, but let’s just say I didn’t tell Brett or Alex what I do for a living. Or that I have Tweety Bird tattooed on my ass. Or that I left high school at sixteen to help out my mama.”
“That’s noble.”
“Is it? Or is it trashy?”
June gives me a big smile. “You, my dear, need to see yourself the way others see you.”
“That’s what Emily says too.”
“Emily’s wise, then. You’re beautiful, Ariel. You’re sweet and nice and kind. Why do you think I came knocking on your door? Emily’s great, and I like her a lot, but I didn’t go to her when I needed to cry tonight.”
I take her hand. “I’m glad you came to me. And we’re going to fix this. No way are you leaving this island tomorrow. The guys will take care of it. And if they don’t? You and I will. I have a plan.”
EPISODE 61
SECRETS AND HONESTY
Emily
After my phone call from Ginger, River left to meet the men to talk about... I have no idea what. Most likely whether to continue this and what to do about Misty—if Misty is even the problem. According to Sienna, Misty has her sights set on River.