Somewhere in the distance I could hear a ringing. After what seemed like forever I realized it was my phone. I dug my way out from under the covers and groped for the offending device. "'Low," I managed to say, blinking the sleep from my eyes.
"Sara, you little minx!" I recognized Courtney's voice. "Why didn't you tell me you had a sister?"
"I didn't know 'till she showed up here."
"I saw a sneak preview of your shot at Henri's studio yesterday. Henri said that Cary Galliant is interested in publishing them."
"You mean The Cary Galliant of Player's magazine?"
"He's having a private party tonight at the Player's Gold Club up in LA and would like for you and your sister to be his guests."
"I don't know if I'm ready for Player's Magazine. That's a pretty fast crowd."
"If you like to do nude modeling, Player's Magazine has the most tasteful photo spreads. You'll have the opportunity to work with some of the best photographers in the country, too. You could become rich and famous."
"Let me talk to Sue..."
"Galliant's people need to know by this afternoon. Just call me if, heaven forbid, you should decide not to go."
I looked at the clock and it was nearly ten. Jenifer was in the shower getting ready for her trip to Carlsbad with Rico and Sue was still at Jeremy's place. No sooner than I had hung up the phone, it rang again. "Jeremy is taking us to Laguna Beach to the Sawdust Festival," Sue said. "He has a friend who has a place right on the beach. He's out of town on business so we'll have the place to ourselves."
I gave it some serious thought but I had a lingerie shoot to do the next afternoon and I didn't want to rush the trip to get back in time. Seems like everybody wants to take me out of town on my last night off. "You guys go ahead without me," I told her. Even though it sounded like more fun, the trip to LA would be good for my modeling career. If I didn't have a shoot scheduled for the next day I'd really have to consider it. A person is only young and pretty for only a very short portion of their lives and I knew I would have to make enough now to support me when I'm old and ugly. I needed to be fresh and perky for the lingerie shoot so overnight trips were out of the question.
I had the coffee grinder running and almost missed the next phone call. "Hi, Ms. McFarland? This is Bill Angelino, Cary Galliant's personal assistant. Mr. Galliant would like to provide you and your sister a shopping trip to select your attire for his party tonight."
"My sister will be out of town and I am scheduled for a lingerie shoot tomorrow so I don't know..."
"You know it would be fun. We'll pick you up and fly you to LA in Mr. Galliant's private jet. You'll have a suite at the Beverly Hilton where you'll get a full spa treatment, complete with hair and makeup."
"Let me get back with you," I told him then took down his phone number. I got the coffee going, kissed Jenifer goodbye and was just sitting down to breakfast when the phone rang again.
"Sara McFarland? This is Cary Galliant, how ya doin'? About your shoot tomorrow. Did you know that the catalog you're shooting for is one of mine? So technically you are still on my payroll and I think a raise is in order. And the day after, instead of going to Henri's studio, I've contracted him to do your scheduled shoot on location at my place. How's that sound?"
"Wow! I'm stunned! It sounds like just the thing to do. What do I need to bring?"
"Nothing. Just pack your basic toiletries, I'll see that you're well dressed. I've taken the liberty to stock the closet in your suite with a few outfits you may find pleasing. After you've settled in for a few minutes, I'll have a driver pick you up and take you to Rodeo Drive so you can pick out what you would like to wear to this party tonight and charge it to me. Get whatever you need, shoes, hand bag, undies."
"This sounds almost too good to be true."
"There's something in your photos that just radiates fresh, young sensuality and having those photos in my magazines will up sales considerably. And besides that, I'm dying to meet you. So throw on a pair of jeans, pack your stuff and the driver will pick you up in about twenty minutes."
I keep an overnight bag packed so I was ready eighteen minutes later when the uniformed driver rang the doorbell. He escorted me to a Jaguar limousine and whisked me off as I luxuriated in soft leather. The company Lear Jet was just as luxurious with a wet bar, kitchen and a flight attendant to work them. Once we were airborne she offered to get me a drink. "Thanks," I said. "But I haven't even had breakfast yet."
"In that case I can start you off with a cappuccino then bring you a protein smoothie with wheat berry toast."
"That would be great."
The flight was less than a half-hour. We were met at the private airfield by another Jag Limo and a driver named Frank who looked like one of those guys you see on the covers of bodice ripping romance novels, about six feet tall, blond and well built. He took me straight to my hotel, carried my bag in and after getting my key, followed me up to my room. I began to fantasize about how it would be to invite him in and have my way with his body but I had business to take care of. "I have orders to take you shopping," Frank said. "When would you like to leave?"
"Why don't you give me about an hour?" I needed to shower and see what outfit out of the ones Cary left for me that I wanted to wear.