Chapter 24

I watch from afar, sitting next to his agent, Melissa Alter, who just happens to look like Sandra Bullock. At one point during the photo shoot, she leans into me and says in my right ear, “He is amazingly hot. Those jeans make him look ten years younger.”

“He does look good. No wonder he’s a model.”

Beatrice catches us whispering, spins around at the scene, and glares at us. She scoffs, “I need to concentrate. Talking is not permitted. Take it outside.”

Melissa and I keep quiet, watching Beatrice, Ben, and his diligent team at work for the next hour, on our best behaviors.

* * * *

When the shoot ends, Ben is exhausted and needs a strong drink. I decide to take him to Meaties, a gay bar and restaurant on Reynaldo Street. We sit for the next two hours and enjoy each other’s company, recapping the afternoon’s shoot.

Underneath the table, his hand slides between my legs. My zipper is casually discovered, pulled down, and he begins to carry out sexual antics that he shouldn’t.