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

over her mouth, but not before Jagger saw a mouth full of braces. She couldn’t have been more than seventeen. Pale blonde hair fell out of a red ruffled thing at the back of her head and hung about her face. She had pretty blue eyes.
    “What’s your name?”
    She sniffed. “Stacy.”
    “Hi, Stacy, I’m Jagger.” He shook her hand. “Don’t worry about that guy. I’ll talk to Steve if you want and tell him it wasn’t your fault.”
    “I’m not worried. Steve’s my uncle.” She wiped at her nose with a tissue she pulled from under the counter. “I’m filling in for my aunt. They just had a baby last week.”
    “That’s nice of you.”
    Stacy shrugged. “I want to go to London for our senior trip, and I need to save half the money myself.”
    “I hear ya. I’m saving to get over to France.”
    “That’s cool.”
    Jagger looked around. “You know, I used to work in a place just like this. My da’s hardware store in King’s Cross.”
    “King’s Cross?”
    “Near Sydney. Australia.”
    “I couldn’t tell if you were Australian or English.”
    “Oh, you should never say that. ’Specially to an Aussie.”
    “Sorry. I’m screwing up all over the place today.”
    “Not with me. You’re doing fine.” Jagger watched as she rearranged a display of pocket flashlights and tiny screwdrivers. “I used to work my dad’s store every day after school, every weekend, every school vacation. Hated it. But now, I miss it something awful. I must be daft.”
    “Maybe you just miss your dad.”
    “That I do.” He pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket. “I could tell you some tales, but I should be trying to find a drive belt.”
    “I can help with that. Do you have a part number?”
    Jagger handed her the paper. “I think it’s that one there.” He pointed.
    Stacy tapped a few keys on the keyboard in front of her and nodded. “It says we have two in stock.” She came around the counter and led him to the back wall. Two minutes later they were back at the counter and she was ringing up his purchase.
    “Thanks, I’d never have found that so fast.” Jagger pulled a few bills out of his wallet.
    “That’s why I get paid the big bucks.” Her smile quickly turned into a close-lipped smirk.
    “So, how soon ’til you get rid of your tin?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Your braces. I had to wear mine for two years.”
    “You had braces?”
    “Yep, lost my retainer four times.” He winked. “Okay, I threw it away twice on purpose.”
    Stacy laughed. “Four weeks and two days. I’m crossing them off on the calendar.”
    “I’ll have to swing around back and catch a look. You’re gonna be a stunner. Beautiful eyes and a killer smile. Poor blokes in London won’t know what hit them.” Jagger took his change, and pocketed the receipt. “Thanks again.” He raised his hand and wiggled his pinkie. “Remember, don’t let the wankers get you down.”

Chapter Seven
    Zee’d been tempted a dozen times to call and beg off the evening’s festivities with Leah, but she could use some girl time and perhaps when she explained everything, Leah would be able to shed some light on these crazy feelings she was having for Jagger.
    Leah knew what she’d been through with Ed. She knew all her secrets. Well, most of them, anyway. If anyone could help her figure things out, it would be Leah.
    She arrived at seven on the dot.
    “Here’s to the most fantastic artists at the Stoddard School of Art.” Leah’s earrings twinkled in their curve as she tucked her dark hair behind an ear. Both of them wore fuzzy pajama bottoms and cushy socks. Leah’s tank top said HOT emblazoned across her chest in silver sparkles. Zee’s tee-shirt was black, three sizes too big, and hung to her knees.
    She smirked but raised her glass and touched its rim to Leah’s. She took a large swallow and tucked her legs underneath her. “Thanks again for picking up my stuff.”
    “Not a problem. So, are you going to tell me what happened