"Jason," Called out Maxie as she ran heels clicking across the floor to meet up with Jason as he walked past Kelly's.
"Yeah," he said turning around to find a small blond chasing after him.
"We haven't had much time to talk. I'm Maxie Jones. We used to be quasi-friends in another life," she responded holding out her hand for him to shake.
He took it unsure of what the young lady might possibly want for him.
"Any who, I thought I'd stop you because I can help you with your problem," Maxie said tucking her hair behind her ear a bit.
A frown marred Jason's brow. "What problem is that?"
"Spinelli told me about . . ." She looked around and leaned in so no one else could hear them. In a whisper she said, "Your infatuation with Carly."
"First of all its not an infatuation. Secondly, I'm going to kill him." Jason said turning away from the chipper blond and wanting to get as far away from her as possible.
"My baby daddy can't keep anything from me." She said moving to block his retreat. "But if it helps I can keep a secret. I even know of away you can get closer to her."
"I'm listening."
"She's doing a photo shoot for Crimson in a few hours. Originally it was apart of our real women campaign showcasing the woman entrepreneur which it still can be. But thanks to recent tragic events she's also a survivor."
"Yeah, I heard something about that." He replied remembering the text she sent him about the pink panties. At least he knew now that it was a real thing. And not an attempt to connect with him. Although, the knowledge made him feel worse not better.
"Here's the part where you come in at. I want you to pose with her." Maxie asked biting her bottom lip as she braced for his answer.
He snorted. "There's no way."
"Its a win-win. Not only do you get to spend time with her, but you can take some very romantic, couple-y type pictures. Possibly open up her mind to the whole idea of you two being together." Maxie begged.
"Maxie, I'm not a model. And its probably the last thing in the whole world I'd actually want to do." He responded trying to move past her.
"Don't do it for yourself. Don't do it for me. Do it because you love her and this is something she's really excited about. Just be there for it. . . And maybe be in it."
He laughed. "I cant even believe i'm considering this."
"You already have the body for a model. And I promise you don't even have to smile. You could be like a really cool stoic prop." Maxie said throwing out her best pitch. They actually could use a male model and this would go perfect for the shoot.
"A prop. I dont think so." He said running his hands through his hair.
"Then do it for her. Let's go back to that."
He laughed. "Alright Maxie. You got a deal."
"Yay." She laughed jumping up and down.
"But if it gets too girly. I'm out. I'll just have to be Carly's support from the sidelines."
"You won't regret this." She said giving him a hug before going back to the diner where she left Nathan.
X
X
Carly stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom shaking out her hands and arms. She bent down to wash her hands.
"Carly, you ready?" Maxie asked coming into the bathroom. "Dylan, has all his equipment set up now."
"Yeah, I'm coming." Carly said looking up and grabbing a paper towel to dry her hands. She looked back at her reflection in the mirror as Maxie closed the door. "You can do this. You're sexy and beautiful. Not too old."
She threw the paper towel in the trash and stepped out into the hallway that led to the restaurant. It felt like she was taking the long walk to the electic chair. She stood out in the open and her mouth dropped as she stared at the man sitting at the bar in nothing, but some Calvin Klein boxers. "Jason."
"Surprise." Maxie said throwing up her hands. "We enlisted a little help from your bestie. So that you feel the most comfortable."
"And at your sexist." Dylan chimed in.
Carly went up to him and gave him a hug before whispering in his ear. "I cant believe you're doing this."
"Anything for you."
Dylan bent down over his camera. Taking a few test shots. "Okay, Carly moment of truth you've got to lose the robe."
She turned around to face him.
"Could it be any colder in here for this?" Jason teased.
"The air conditioner is stuck on freezing," she squeaked out to him over her shoulder. She untied the robe and handed it off to Maxie revealing a coral bikini set with a black lace overlay. Her hipster panties sporting a coral cinched waist that wrapped into a small bow in the front. "No one's coming until tomorrow to fix it."
"Let's get a few by yourself and then will add Jason in." Dylan instructed. Posing her where he wanted her to be.
She smiled the biggest smile she could manage inspite of the fact that she was already freezing her toes off. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Jason was covering up his private parts. It put her at ease that he was just as nervous about this as she was. Although, she couldn't imagine how Maxie could have talked him into. Maybe because the article was going to be about how she survived the harrowing experience of walking into a mob war. He was whispering something in Maxie's ear and she disappeared and returned with a black towel that she draped across his chest like he was an adonis. And he certainly looked like it.
"Carly, you with me?" Dylan asked snapping pictures.
"Yeah, sorry." She replied looking straight at the eye of the camera and giving her best come hither stare.
"I think we got enough of those. Ready to join Jason?" He asked quickly flipping threw the pictures he had just taken.
"Sure," She said walking over to him.
"You did good," he whispered in her ear. His breath tickling her neck.
He leaned casually against the bar and she stood up facing him. Her hand on his chiseled chest. She wasn't trying to look on purpose, but she couldn't help but notice that the towel perfectly covered his private parts. She wanted to laugh, but she held on to the stoic look needed for this picture.
"Perfect. You guys are naturals." Dylan said peering at them threw te camera lens.
"I have an idea, but this is going to be a little uncomfortable." Maxie said coming towards them.
"I think the cold temps in here took care of that." Jason said noticing the chill bumps on Carly's arms.
"A model suffers for his/her craft." Maxie explained pushing four stools together. She instruted Carly to lay across them face up with her feet on Jason's thighs. "Lose the towel, Jason."
"Maxie," he said threw gritted teeth.
"Towel." She didn't flinch motioning for him to toss it to the side out of the shop.
Dylan peered through his camera. "Oh that's a great picture, Maxie."
Carly smiled, but didnt dare look down to see what he was packing. Ignoring the cold feel of the black leather stools against her skin. After a few pictures she thought she would play with Jason a bit. She scooted down on the stools the best she could without drawing attention and repositioned her right leg so that it was slightly bent. Blocking the camera view as her left foot accidentally brushed his manhood. She felt his muscles tense under her legs but he didn't move or say anything.
"Okay, Carly last pics. Can we get you to lay across the bar behind Jason.?" Dylan asked adjusting the lights for the height difference.
Jason picked her up by her waist and helped her get on to the bar. They stood staring at each other for a moment. But it was Carly who broke their gaze first once she saw that they had an audience.
"Cool, guys. Carly can you pick up one of those scotch glasses behind you? Such a cool shoot." Dylan asked looking up from the camera long enough to point out the cup.
"Um." She said turning around to look at the cup. "Can we do something else?"
"Why? The camera loves you these pictures are going to capture everyone's attention." Maxie said sincerely.
Jason could feel Carly shaking behind him and he knew it wasn't just the cold. "Yeah, let's not do the cup bit."
"Come on Jason. It's not like she has to drink it." Maxie said annoyed that they picked now to play diva.
"Maxie, I said No," He said standing up and pulling Carly from the bar. Shielding her from the camera and their view.
"This would probably be the prefect time to do a costume change anyway." Dylan said breaking the tension.
Carly mouthed the words thank you before heading off to the bathroom.
"Oh, do I get a costume change too?" He asked turning to Maxie.
"No, this is your costume." She snapped.
He sighed heavily. "Listen, I'm sorry if I snapped at you. She was just uncomfortable with the idea."
"I wouldn't want to do anything to make Carly look bad. She's like family, but I get the urge. And I accept your apology."
Carly came back into the empty restaurant. This time wearing matching coral pumps. Black capri dress pants and a matching black blazer with nothing underneath but the coral and black bra from earlier. "You're absolutely beautiful."
"Yeah, Carly. I hope I look that good at your age." Maxie said watching her strong confident gate as she made her way over to Jason.
"Geesh, I'm not that old yet."
Carly stood in front of Jason and slowly laced her hand threw his.
"You guys ready?" Dylan asked snapping pictures.
He turned her hand over. "You aren't wearing your ring."
She looked at her hand as if she was suprised it wasn't there. But really she was surprised that she went so long without missing it. She looked up at him and she want more than anything to kiss him and have him kiss her back.
He leaned down slightly hovering over her lips as if he knew exactly what she needed. "Can I?"
"You dont have to ask."
He brushed his lips across hers and she melted into him. He's kissing me! We're kissing! Carly rambled inwardly. She knew that there might be a chance that this was the only kiss they share together. So she wanted to make it last forever and ever.
"Carly," yelled out Sonny.