Melting the Ice(53)

            Gray told her he’d come in for a fitting, and that meant she needed to get hold of Drew and figure out who would be wearing what. Then she needed to start an advertising campaign, a tease for her line.

            After doing that sketch of Drew asleep the morning after their night together, she already had a fantastic idea for advertising the underwear line. She could get another one of the models—a professional—to do the shoot, but the problem was, her vision was dead-set on seeing Drew in that spot.

            Any hot, sculpted body would do. Logically, she knew that. But logic didn’t always fit with her inspiration. She just couldn’t see anyone else in her men’s underwear but Drew.

            She took a deep breath and grabbed her phone, hoping he didn’t answer and she’d get his voice mail.

            Success. After several rings, Drew’s voice mail picked up.

            “Hey, Drew, it’s Carolina. I’d like to arrange a time for you to come by and try on some of the clothes you’ll be modeling for me. Plus, we need to start talking about how you’ll fit into my advertising plan for the line. If you could give me a call back, or just shoot me an email with your schedule for the next week, we can work something out. Thanks.”

            She hung up, satisfied that she’d sounded completely professional.

            Now all she had to do was wait until he—

            She jumped when her phone buzzed in her hand. She looked at the display, then relaxed when Stella’s name came up.

            “Hey, Stell.”

            “Hey, yourself. How’s work going?”

            “Good. Crazy busy. How about you?”

            “It’s going well. Rehearsals are intense and my calves are cramping, but I’m excited about doing this show.”

            “I can’t wait to come see it.”

            “I called to tell you I have a few hours’ break. Can you take a little time off and have some lunch with me?”

            She hadn’t seen Stella since that night at the bar, either. The problem with having a deadline was shutting herself off from everyone. But she hadn’t eaten yet and things were running smoothly. “I’d love to.”

            “Great.”

            They made plans to meet at a bistro not far from the theater district. She gave some instructions to her staff, then hopped in a taxi. Stella was waiting outside the restaurant.

            “It’s cold out here,” Carolina said as she slid her arm through Stella’s and they headed inside.

            “I’m still hot from rehearsals. The fresh air felt good.”

            It was a little after the regular lunch hour rush, so the place wasn’t crowded. They were seated right away and Carolina ordered an iced tea and a chicken salad.

            “I want all the details on how rehearsals are going.”

            Stella took a deep breath and shrugged out of her coat. “Great, but the choreographer is a bastard. He works us all until every muscle in our bodies is screaming. I both love and hate him. I’m learning so much, but oh, my God, I’m so sore at night that all I want to do is go home, ease my body into a hot bath, then fall facedown on my bed and pass out.”

            “But it’s good, right?” Carolina asked as the waiter brought their drinks. “It’s going to be a good show?”

            “It’s going to be a great show, and really amazing exposure for me. I’m so lucky to be with the company. You know how much I literally squealed like a damn girl when I got a spot.”