The Model Couple

🌻 Chapter 54

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As Ry and I walk back up to our rooms to change for our walk I take the time to think over the last days.

I have to admit that the last few days having Ry's gentle attention has started to heal me. Both Hayden and Ry have been extra careful with me since my breakdown after Max's public proposal and that horrible episode we watched. Both of them have been looking out for me, keeping me busy playing new card games, swimming, and ugh, even working out in the gym. Kill me now. They've really been making sure I have what I need, bringing me water, asking how I'm doing, never letting me be alone. And emotionally I'm starting to feel whole again, and worthy of love, despite how Max made me feel.

I've been texting with Aussie and Monica each night and their support has helped too. Aussie is staying with a friend in Pasedena and he says I can stay with them when I'm done with the show. That is a huge relief because I cannot go home. Monica assures me she will raid my house and pack up my stuff and bring it to me. I wouldn't put it past her. 

Aussie has watched the show and he thinks I'm going to win, but I know I won't. I'm not even sure I want to win because I really don't think modeling is for me. If I won I'd have to do it for a whole year. Maybe I wouldn't mind if I got to work with Ryland but that isn't how modeling works. They pick the locations and everything.

I walk over to Ry's room and he pulls me close for a hug. I feel little butterflies in my stomach. He plops a hat on my head then pinches my chin to hold my face up as he smears sunscreen over my cheeks. His sparkly eyes rove over my face as he makes sure he has good coverage before moving onto my shoulders. 

I can't help but giggle, "Look, you're already being a good dad."

His eyes darken a bit as he smirks, "I'm probably too young, but you can call me Daddy if you want." He leans in closer as he teases, "Babygirl."

I pinch his side but unfortunately he's not ticklish, "I mean to Danny, silly. He's going to be so excited to have you back."

Ry lifts one eyebrow, "Well, I need to win first." We head out the door toward the beach.

Does he? "Ry, even if you don't win, don't you think you could do modeling and earn enough money to live? You already have people interested in you, like that guy from GQ. And you have such a big fan base."

He nods, "Maybe." He leans in close again and says, "But I really wanna win." I see the competitiveness flash through his pretty blue eyes.

"Well, then you need to hitch your ride to Alexis. She's your only competition at this point."

"Mh." He doesn't seem convinced. "We'll see." The compound disappearing behind us, we walk near the water, the waves lap at our flip flops. The cameraman behind us is trying to stay up on dry sand while still filming. His tennis shoes are already a bit wet though.

Ry squeezes my hand so I look at him. "Did you have any time to think about what I asked?"

I'm nodding right away, "Yeah, I have." All kinds of ideas flood my mind and I don't know where to start. "I want to say 'yes'." He flashes me a bright smile. Man alive, this man is just breathtakingly beautiful when he smiles. "But there are several things holding me back."

His face gets more serious, "Okay, let's go through them."

I give him a startled look, I totally thought he'd try to convince me but he actually wants to hear what I have to say. I think I may be in love. This is so different from how Max treated me.

"Okay, well, I hope this doesn't sound too silly. My biggest concern is that I don't know why you like me." He looks confused so I rush to say, "You are so amazing, you could have anyone. I don't exercise regularly. And I eat terrible. I'm a complete nerd." He raises his eyebrows, "Seriously, really, really so awkward. And there are gobs of other women who are prettier and sexier than me. You could have your choice of any of them." I pull him down to whisper in his ear, "I don't want it to just be my touch."