Young & Reckless

Chapter 3- Dennis

Chapter 3- Dennis

I put the kettle on the stove after getting out of bed for tea. The apartment was quiet; it was good. I could nurse this throbbing headache. I unclenched my jaw and rubbed my temples around over and over. "Oh, God." At least it was quiet this morning. The construction had stopped all week. However, I had low expectations. No creamer for today. I needed to wake myself up.

Last night was fun. Me and Noel didn't know many people at the party, just Talia and Jennette. Those dudes they were with seemed off.

The creepy way they stared at them back to back, I couldn't shake it off. That Damon guy had wandering eyes on Jennette made my skin crawl. As I waited for the kettle to boil, resting my elbows on the counter, my phone vibrated inside my pj pocket. Sliding the icon without looking at the caller I.D.

"Hello," I answered in a groggy voice.

"Hi, is this Dennis Sanatorio?" A woman at the other end asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Hi. I found your number on Instagram. My name is Amina. I'm the CEO of VostBeauty, Inc. You may have heard of it. Or not."

"I've seen it around social media. I had an ex that used your products. She said it helped her eczema."

"Oh my, that's amazing! Glad she said that. I have an offer for you."

"Uh-huh," I continued to listen.

"One of my photographers had an emergency and had to leave town. I saw your photos on Instagram, you have such an eye for detail."

"Oh, thank you so much." I smiled to myself. See, I knew the more I commissioned, something like this could happen. Wait, let me listen to what she really has to offer.

"Cosmopolitan booked me for a magazine spread and I need another photographer. Can you do it? I'll pay."

I almost slipped off the counter, the whistling of the kettle startled me. "Um."

"If you're not free-"

"No, I am. I am. It sounds great. I'll take it." I poured the steaming water in my mug, spooning in three scoops inside. My fingers were shaking from excitement. This is great, I can pay my rent next month.

"Dennis, you are saving my life. I saw your rates and I'll pay you double." Even better!

"Wow, yes!"

"Outstanding. If you have any model friends, please let me know," she pleaded.

"Actually, I do. Can I call you back?" I heard a beep at the other end, looking at the ID. It was dad. Shit. I'll call him later.

"Sure, thank you. I'll text you the address for the studio."

"You're welcome." I hung up. I thought of Talia, she was a model, maybe she could pose for some pictures. Jennette could as well, I used to take pictures of her in high school. She hated it at first, and did her best fashion pose.

The over the shoulder smolder. I still have the prints of her in my closet. My phone rang again, it was Jennette. I answered, "speak of the devil, good morning."

"Dennis, you sound tired for it to be a good morning." Jennette spoke in a scratchy voice. I chuckled. It was good to hear her voice. It was good to see her.

"That's what I get for drinking all that Patron."

"But the highlight of the night is seeing you again."

"Aww, getting mushy on me, Jennette."

"I'm such a softy." I laughed, scratching my nose from a tickle of the coffee.