Brendan's Baby - Annie J. Rose
Chapter 1
Elise
“I can’t believe they charged me extra for my suitcase,” I muttered as I unpacked my stuff.
“Really? You brought like everything you own, plus six pairs of shoes. We’re only here for ten days. I’m curious to see how often you change clothes on vacation,” my best friend Karin teased.
“At home, I’m a one-outfit-a-day girl, but on vacation, I turn into Barbie,” I joked. “I need at least four changes of clothes a day, more if we go out to a club.”
“Well, if you need to change your makeup look every time you try a new outfit, I’ve got you covered. It looks like I went easy on the clothes and shoes, but I packed the entire contents of a Sephora in my cosmetic bag. I literally forgot to bring toothpaste, but I have four different eyeliners. Plus two kinds of bronzer. I mean, hello? It’s an island. There’s sunlight. I don’t need bronzer,” she groaned.
“You’re used to New York, where you can get a smog-tan but not a suntan,” I quipped.
“Oh, you’re so clever,” she said, “look at you with the jokes. Meanwhile, I know why you’re in a good mood.”
“It’s not a big mystery. I’m on St. Martin looking out at a gorgeous beach. I get to manage my own photoshoot this time. It’s all good,” I said happily.
“You’re happy that there’s no Gavin coming up behind you with the shoulder rub of doom,” Karin said, “that guy has no boundaries.”
“He’s my boss. I’m a direct report. His attitude is just something I have to live with until I—,”
“Until what? You get promoted again? Because you just made Junior Exec, Elise. It’s going to be a while before they bump you up again.”
“Maybe not. If I can make this shoot run perfectly, come in under budget with great results, I’m proving I can handle it on my own. Run my own accounts, start to finish. It’s the first step to moving farther up the ladder. I’m not going to let that handsy douchebag Gavin Peters derail my career. I love advertising, and I’m going to make the most of this opportunity.”
“He’s the fucking Harvey Weinstein of the ad world. You said yourself that he tries to look down the front of every woman’s top. You really lucked out getting to report directly to him, didn’t you?” Karin asked sarcastically.
“Don’t remind me. What did you think of the Pinterest board I messaged you, that color scheme?”
“Love it, but part of it requires night shooting. I went ahead and rented equipment for that. It’ll be delivered to the hotel day after tomorrow.”
“Terrific. What about scouting those locations?”
“I think we’re all set. Have I mentioned that without you and the ad jobs you hook me up with, I’d be eating ramen instead of staying at this resort?”
“No way. You’re brilliant. Besides, you understand my vision, and your aesthetic is exactly what I’m looking for.”
“Would you say that if I tried to look down your top?” she laughed.
“No. I’d fire you.”
“What if I borrow your shoes?”
“As long as they’re not on my feet, I’m fine with it. Besides, I have amazing taste in shoes.”
“I do appreciate those sandals,” she said, wistfully eyeing them.
“Well, when I’m done with them, they’re all yours.”
“We’re going to get into a lot of trouble on this little trip, aren’t we?” Karin asked with a wicked grin.
I shook my head and tried to look serious. “No. We are going to be professional and businesslike 24/7.”
Karin giggled. “Sure. Sure we are.”
I took my best friend’s hands and squeezed. “We’re in this beautiful place. I have my first campaign shoot without Pervy Gavin sniffing around behind me. Let’s go grab a bite to eat and do a little sightseeing.”
“Don’t you want to change clothes first?” she teased.
“Sure. Sounds great,” I said and looked at the items I’d just hung up in the closet.
I chose a sundress I’d grabbed on sale because I thought it looked tropical. It was a linen shift, aqua-colored with some kind of white fern print on it. Now that I looked at it, I felt like it was maybe less island getaway and more mahjong in Miami. But with the right shoes, it would be fine, I told myself.
“My grandma has a top like that,” Karin said, arching one eyebrow.
“Shut up,” I said with a roll of my eyes.
“Look, we have a few days off shooting this round. We have a chance to explore this place and get in some trouble. You’re not going to have