Notice Me (12 page)

“That’s a no then,” Patrick laughed watching me. “Told you it’s about the money.”

“It’s not, stop saying that,” I replied, irate.

“I just always put you down as a romantic that’s all.”

“What does that mean?”

“You and William Field… I mean… come on Shannon, is that what you really want?”

Patrick was confusing me. I couldn’t understand why he was so against Will and me “Will
is
what I want thank you very much.”

“It’s your life I guess,” Patrick muttered as he went back to his text book. “At least you can double date with Megan and her model boyfriend.” I just stuck my tongue out at him. How did he know so much about my life all of a sudden?

The four of us did double date quite a lot. I had never seen Will so sociable, but I think he was just trying to impress me.

“Seriously Will, can you put her down just for one minute.” Megan teased while we sat drinking champagne in Reds.

“This is no different than you and Charlie when you first got together.” Will glared back at his sister as I giggled. I had had too much wine again.

“I know, but it would be nice to have a conversation with my
best friend.
”

“You can talk to me Megan. Don’t mind Will,” I replied leaning forward to look at Megan.

“Well, I was just wondering if you would come to Paris with me next month. It’s my big break. The photo shoot for Marie Claire, if I nail this one the offers will come flooding in.” Megan gave me her puppy eyes. How could I resist, plus I had always wanted to go to Paris?

“I thought Charlie was going to be there. Why do you need me?” I suddenly remembered.

“He will be working. Please say you will come.”

“Okay,” I turned to look at Will. As I rolled my eyes he stroked my back.

“You will love Paris, Shan. I am rather jealous. I was hoping to take you myself first,” Will whispered in my ear. I just touched his face smiling at him.

“Brilliant, I can relax now,” gleamed Megan.

“Megan you will be amazing. The people from Marie Claire paid a high price to get you. Don’t you realise how desirable you are already?” Charlie placed his head on her shoulder. “Even Sir Straton wants to take your picture. You really are too beautiful for your own good,” Charlie teased, kissing her neck.

“Really?” Megan asked shocked.

“Yes.”

“You never said before.”

“He only told me today. Give me a chance.” Charlie laughed.

It was good to see whatever had been bothering Charlie had gone. He was more in love with Megan as each week passed. It still sent flutters to my heart watching him. The way he studied Megan so intense and passionately. It was a strange feeling almost as if I was jealous because I knew even though I was with Will I would never be loved that way. Will wasn’t that sort of man. He could be romantic, say all the right things at times, but work always seemed to take over. Charlie loved with every fibre of his soul, nothing ever distracted him. I knew it was Megan who made Charlie act this way. She was a goddess, but it never stopped me dreaming just what it might feel like.

Chapter 9

Paris wasn’t quite as marvellous as Megan had made it out to be. Being stuck in a bright studio watching my best friend have photo after photo taken was pretty strenuous. Charlie had kept me company for as long as he could, but he was working too. I was left sat next to the coffee machine more bored than I had ever been in my entire life.

Megan was amazing as I knew she would be. Marie Claire adored her. At least while I was in New York Megan would be too busy to miss me. I couldn’t even imagine how many offers she would receive after this shoot. Charlie really had his work cut out now about trying to protect her.

“Did you see me in that pink swimsuit Shan? Did I look hot?” Megan asked when she was finally given a break.

“Yeah, I think so.” I laughed.

“I wonder which man’s magazine will contact me first.”

“I thought you had told Charlie…”

“Charlie cannot stop me if I want to,” Megan interrupted sharply. I was taken aback by her response. Charlie only wanted her safe surely she could see that.

 “Charlie does sort of have a lot of knowledge in this business Megan. You really need to listen to him.” I tried to be reasonable.

“He just doesn’t like the idea of me being a pin up. He hates the attention I get now. Imagine how he will be when I am a centrefold? He needs to learn I will do as I please.”

“You’re not doing topless are you?” I almost screamed. Had she really gone mad?

“I am not sure. Janice has recommended I think about it. There is a lot of money in it if it’s done the right way. Imagine that Shan. I could get by without any interference from my parents.” Megan appeared lost in her own little world, as she began to laugh. “Just imagine my father’s face if he saw a picture of me topless. It would be priceless.”

“Oh yeah, hilarious Megan,” I said sarcastically. She really seemed to be losing it. “But what about Charlie?”

“If I decide I want to he will have to understand. I am not being controlled again. I had enough of that from my parents.”

“Charlie is a little different. He is only doing it because he loves you, and knows what stupid ideas you come up with.”

“You think my idea is stupid?” Megan was annoyed with me.

“YES!” I replied glaring at her.

“Well fine, be that way!”

“We both care about you Megan. There are other ways to make it on your own. What about your fashion label? Have you given up on that already?” I asked widening my eyes.

“No, of course not it’s just… well, this is easier”

“When has Megan Field ever taken the easier option?” I smiled at her. She had to know she was better than page three.

“I know you are right. I am only thinking about it.” A woman waved Megan over. “Break over, see you in a bit. Save me a muffin to go with my coffee later.” Megan darted back over to the large white screen to slide into yet another outfit.

Hours maybe even days passed by. Luckily I had packed a few books to help pass the time. I was deeply engrossed in my book when Charlie snuck up behind me.

“Are you
that
bored?” Charlie teased as I jumped out of my skin. “Sorry, did I make you jump?”

“Charlie, don’t do that,” I replied hitting him with my book.

“Seriously though, how old is that book? I swear I have seen you read it at least three times.”

“It’s a classic. You can’t beat those.”

“I will just trust you on that,” laughed Charlie putting his hand through his freshly cut dark brown hair. It was still semi long. I don’t think Megan would ever let him cut it too short.

“You’re not a book person are you?”

“I like books, just not old soppy romance.”

“You are a man. You’re not meant to like it. Why don’t you go bug your girlfriend over there.…? Here take her a muffin,” I teased pushing a muffin into his chest.

“Easy bookworm. I was going to offer to end your boredom, but if you are going to be like that,” Charlie smirked trying to look offended.

“Okay, how were you going to end my boredom?” I moped.

“Will you be my guinea pig for a new camera I am dying to try?”

“Would that mean I have to pose?” I looked at him warily. I hated having my picture taken Charlie knew that.

“I’d take your picture, but you don’t have to pose if you don’t want to. Seriously Shan, it will take ten minutes. I’d ask one of the models here, but they are all too busy.” He pleaded with his unbelievable dreamy blue-green eyes.

“Okay, as long as it is only ten minutes.”

“I promise.” Charlie led me to a small room hung with white sheets. I had never really seen Charlie at work before. To be honest it had been months since I had even been to his apartment with Megan. I had forgotten how wrapped up I had become with Will.

“At least try and smile, Shannon.” Charlie teased as he picked up a large technical camera.

“What’s so amazing about that new camera then?” I asked as he began to take snaps of me. Words really couldn’t describe how uncomfortable I felt.

“It’s just a new prototype from Japan. Higher zoom, better mega pixels. You can send the photos to your PC straight from the camera too.” Charlie did sound rather excited about his new toy, it looked just like a normal camera to me. “This has to be a bit better than watching Megan all day?”

“Not really, are you done yet?” I pleaded.

“I have only had three minutes, that’s not fair.”

“Alright.” I pulled my tongue out at him suddenly wishing I hadn’t as he snapped away.

“That’s a good one.” Charlie laughed.

“Don’t make me hate you,” I teased crossing my arms as he snapped away.

Soon enough my ten minutes were up. I got back just in time to make Megan a cup of coffee. She looked drained already, but still had another four hours to go.

“You look so tired.”

“I am fine Shan, don’t worry,” Megan smiled jadedly.

“Okay, here have some coffee.”

“What would I do without you?”

“Be totally lost.” I smiled back at her. Megan nodded in agreement. “If Charlie sees you this drained he will go mad.”

“He knows what it is like for a model. I only have five more costume changes now anyway.”

“Just five! Seriously Megan, can I just go for a walk? I have seen nothing of Paris yet not even the Eiffel Tower.”

“You can’t leave me. Anyway the security is too high.” I just rolled my eyes. “Read your book if you are bored.”

“Megan, I have already read them.”

“Read them again,” Megan teased as she darted back for another outfit change.

The rest of the weekend was much the same. Will would have to bring me back just so I could see Paris not the inside of a studio.

I caught sight of the Eiffel Tower as we drove to the airport. It hadn’t been one of my favourite weekends with Megan, she could tell.

“I am sorry Shan. I know you were hoping to see more of Paris. Look, we will come back soon and go anywhere you want.” Megan looked truly sorry, but I was still pretty cross.

“No, it is okay, Will promised to take me,” I replied slightly sharp.

“You’re angry with me. I am sorry Shan. I really had no idea…”

“It’s alright. I am not angry. I knew I was coming to support you, its fine really.” I realised how ridiculous I was being. This weekend had been about Megan. I was just being selfish. That wasn’t me. Megan always came first.

“Really?”

“Yeah sorry. You did really well this weekend. The photos were incredible. Charlie was really proud of you.”

 “I know I can’t believe he had to stay. That Straton is a piece of work. The way he was ordering him around.”