Picture Me Naked (Stoddard Art School Series) by Lisa A. Olech Read Free Book Online

a curled strand of hair behind one ear.
    “That bad, huh?”
    “You have no idea. Maybe you’ll have some wisdom for me. I need some perspective right now.”
    “Wisdom from me? Ha. That’s definitely a two-box night. Sounds like I should pack my toothbrush and turn this into a pajama party.”
    “Good idea. Tell Ted I’m kidnapping you. How about seven? We could split a pizza.”
    “Sounds perfect. You’ve got a date.”
    “Good. Can I tell my mother? Trust me, I’ll keep your name out of it, unless of course you know how to lube a Lincoln.”

Chapter Six
    Jagger slipped on his jeans, arranged the position of his bits and bobs and fastened the buttons of his fly. The session was over. Holding even a simple pose for twenty minutes at a stretch without moving proved to be an interesting challenge. More interesting, however, was his building attraction regarding Zee Lambert.
    That interest had turned to concern earlier when she raced out of class. She’d given him such an odd look, like a kid caught stealing candy. Then she took off. Was she upset? Sick? He’d kept an eye on the door waiting for her to come back. She hadn’t.
    Leah was packing her things. She’d know what was going on with Zee. Jagger yanked his shirt over his head and turned for his bag. When he straightened, two of the other women from class were standing behind him. Emily and Jessica.
    “Ladies. Must say, you two look very nice today.” Behind them, he watched Leah talking on a bright pink cell phone covered with sequins.
    “Thanks, Jagger.” Jessica smoothed out the hem of her sweater. “Em and I are heading over to the Mex Mix. In Manchester? Food’s not horrible, and they have margaritas that come in a glass big enough to swim in.”
    “They’re really good.” Emily added. “Cheap too. They have a ‘It’s Happy Somewhere Happy Hour’ from two o’clock on.”
    Leah finished her phone call, loaded herself like a pack mule with all of her things and Zee’s, and left.
    “Want to come with us?”
    He jerked his attention back to Jessica. “That sounds like a lot of fun.” Leah disappeared around the corner. “But I gotta be buggering off. You two go have a great time.” Jessica and Emily looked disappointed. “Have one of those margaritas for me, eh?”
    Leah moved fast for a pack mule. By the time Jagger made it out of the room, she was out of sight. He caught up with her as she was pushing everything into the back of a beat up, pickle-green pickup truck with a giant cockroach planted on the roof and the words RABET’S EXTERMINATING SERVICE—(603) 555-BUGZ—WITH TED THEY’RE DEAD! painted on the side.
    “Nice truck.”
    “It’s hideous.” Leah slammed the door. “Ted has my car today, so lucky me, I get to drive around in the roach coach.”
    “Bet it’s great advertising. I know I’ll not be forgetting it.”
    “Nobody does.” Leah gave him a coy smile. “So you chased me down to talk ugly trucks?”
    “Do you always move at the speed of light?”
    “Only in heels.” She gave him a sassy smirk.
    “I, ah…I couldn’t help noticing… Do you know if Zee is okay?”
    “You want to know if Zee is okay?” A bright smile lit her face. “Nice.”
    “It’s just that she left in a hurry, and I didn’t know if you knew…”
    “I just talked to her. She seems fine. I don’t know anything more than that. But I’m getting together with her tomorrow.”
    “Oh. Good.” He stood there nodding like an idiot. What was wrong with him? He was being a total wanker. Next thing he’d be asking her to pass Zee a note in class. “All right then. I’ll let you get on with your day.” He headed back across the parking lot.
    “Jagger?” Leah stopped him. “Zee’s a bit gun shy, right now.”
    That sounded like a warning. He held up his hand. “Got it. No worries. I understand. I won’t bother her.”
    “No, that’s not what I meant at all. Just…go easy. Okay?” Leah closed the distance between them and