Read Online Halfway Perfect by Julie Cross - Free Book Online Page A

sickness. Something I’ve been cursed with my whole life. This is not how I wanted to start off my first day on the job. I have to sit down on the curb for a few seconds, briefly letting my head fall between my knees. I don’t get too much of a break before I see Janessa’s out-of-place Land Rover pull up. I rush over to help her unload her equipment.
    â€œI hope you’re ready for a long week, Eve,” Janessa says as she gets out of the truck. She turns to face me and then adds, “Holy shit! You look like hell. Are you hungover?”
    I shake my head vigorously as if the movement alone is tangible evidence. “I had a long ride in the back of the equipment truck, but I’m fine. Just a little carsick. It’ll pass, I swear.”
    â€œWhy don’t you go sit in the RV, take a few minutes to pull yourself together? I’ll have Juan help me unload the rest of the gear.”
    â€œThanks, Janessa,” I say, trying to stop the heat from creeping up to my face. This is not how I wanted to start. “I’ll grab some water and I’ll be fine.”
    As I enter the RV, Hugo’s unmistakable cackle is the first thing I hear. He’s in his tight, burgundy man jumpsuit complete with an ascot and his ever-present Gucci man purse. He’s holding the rest of the crew hostage as he recalls his antics from the night before. I take a seat on the couch, trying not to listen, but I can’t really help it.
    â€œCan you believe she would wear that to a Tom Ford party?” Hugo says, like he’s speaking about the military launching a deadly missile or something. I try not to roll my eyes. “Speaking of tom foolery . Did you hear that our models today are in a hot-and-heavy relationship?”
    Everyone seems to regard this information with interest, though they’re all a little too cool to act super excited like Hugo.
    â€œI just saw it in US Weekly .” Hugo whips the magazine out of his back pocket and holds it up for everyone to see. He clears his throat dramatically, and I do roll my eyes this time. “ Gorgeous up-and-coming fashion models Alex Evans and Elana —très chic: she’s only got one name, like Madonna— started dating after a chance meeting on the set of Seventeen magazine. The fashion couple has been cast to debut their new romance on billboards worldwide courtesy of Mr. Calvin Klein, who just happened to be seeking a real-life romance for his upco ming ads.”
    The Seventeen magazine shoot—Elana and Alex. Maybe he took her to that One Direction concert after all. Maybe they hit it off during an Auto-Tuned, lip-synched version of You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful . How sweet. I can’t help laughing under my breath, but luckily no one notices and Hugo isn’t done with his gossip session.
    â€œMy hair and makeup is going to be gracing the new up-and-coming fashion couple of the year. You can all bow before the queen!”
    As the RV erupts with laughs and conversation, I’m left thinking about the reality of this new piece of gossip. Would Alex really agree to something like this? She’s so young. What am I saying? Age didn’t stop Wes from hooking up with me. Why would Alex be any different? Even if he does seem different.
    But he knew I’d be here and he’s been texting back and forth with me over the course of this past weekend. He’s even shown hints of flirting. And so have I, to be honest.
    I wouldn’t put it above Wes to make this relationship happen for the cameras.
    I’m already sick of this job. Sick of this world. The push-your-way-to-the-top stuff here makes Columbia look tame. And you know it’s bad when a job is more complicated than life at an Ivy League school.
    Feeling less nauseated, I get up from the couch and head outside to help Janessa. Maybe if I’m really helpful, we can finish early.
    Janessa sees me emerge from the RV and waves me over.