"There. Right there. Don't move."

Holding my hands up in front of me, I slowly backed away from my mom and out of frame, watching with a critical eye as Maria snapped a series of pictures. And when the camera was handed over to me, I saw they had come out exactly how I'd imagined.

With blackout curtains hanging on the storefront windows—ones we'd checked and double-checked passersby couldn't see through—we'd turned the space into a photoshoot for the boutique's website. I needed flat lays of most of my stock, mannequin shots, as well as a showcase of real women wearing my lingerie. Which was where my family and friends came in. Aimee, Mackenzie, my mom, and Isla had volunteered as models, I'd gotten Maria on board as the photographer, and while I mostly fiddled in the background, making sure everything was coming out how I'd envisioned, I'd taken a few steps in front of the camera myself.

Because if I didn't share my own curves, how did I expect others to trust what I was setting out to create had any value?

"Not that I don't love what you're doing with your designs, but are you sure putting our mom in a silk robe is the best way to get customers?" Mackenzie asked, sidling up next to me.

A snorted laugh fell from my lips as I saw the slight grimace on my sister's face. "She may be our mom, but to everyone else she's a confident, older woman who's unashamed of showing her body."

"If it's any consolation," Maria cut in, "I think she looks amazing."

Overhearing us, my mom grinned, tucking her hair behind her ear before Maria continued with her photoshoot.

"See?" I said, nudging Mackenzie's hip lightly. "Besides, I need to show my designs really are for everyone. It's not only about making an extended array of sizes, but also proving to the customers these pieces can look good on anybody, no matter their age, shape, or size."

"I get it, I do," Mackenzie said, and when she glanced over at our mom again, her lips pulled into a smile. "It's just a little weird."

"Hey, you're the one who volunteered to help," I mused, "so whatever you see today is on you, not me."

Shaking her head with amusement, her gaze drifted to the counter next to us where my phone lay. It was on silent, and had been for most of the day, but that didn't stop the calls and messages from coming.

"Seb's calling, again."

Having returned from winning yet another away game yesterday, I'd stayed at his place overnight and had told him when I'd left this morning I'd be busy with this photoshoot. He clearly hadn't gotten the memo though as I declined his second call of the afternoon.

Mackenzie quirked a brow. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Not really. Just a case of conflicting schedules lately." Maria turned around, gesturing to ask if I thought we had enough shots for this outfit, and I gave her a thumbs up. "But right now I need to focus on getting these photos shot. I'll call him back when we're done."

And as if I'd sent a silent signal for them, Aimee and Isla stepped out of their respective change rooms in matching bodysuits and stockings.

"Ready for us?"

"Absolutely," I said, waving the two of them forward as my mom stepped away from the white backdrop we'd managed to hang up. "Let's do this."

***

Not wanting to overload the website with pictures of my family and friends, I limited everyone to shooting in five hand-picked designs. A mixture of skimpy lace sets, body-hugging outfits, and delicate silk. And hopefully, if things went according to plan, I'd be able to squeeze in another photoshoot with the remaining designs and a group of diverse models from the shows I'd done in the past. That is, if I could get them on board.

But just in case I couldn't, I made sure to bring out all my designs once we wrapped on shooting one another and moved on to mannequins and flat lays. That way, everything would be displayed online in at least one form or another.

"What's next?" Isla asked, unclipping the red lacy bra from the mannequin.

"Let's do the florally pink set," I shot back across the room, currently in the middle of perfecting the placement of a plus size, emerald one-piece.

"This one?" Aimee interjected, pulling the exact piece from the rack off to the side.

"Yes, that one. And send the red set over here once you get it off."

For the last hour, we'd all been operating like a well-oiled machine. My mom and I were organizing the flat lays, which were all getting shot on top of the checkout counter, Isla and Aimee were in charge of dressing and undressing the mannequins I'd brought out, and Mackenzie floated between both work stations with new outfits or ones that needed to be reshot. In the middle of it all was Maria. Quick on her feet, she went back and forth, taking a myriad of pictures for me to look over and approve. It was chaos, but it was controlled chaos, and the quicker we moved, the sooner we'd finish.

Plus, with a playlist full of 90's tunes in the background, anything felt possible.

"There, I think that's good," I said, stepping away from the counter so Maria could work her magic.

Keeping my eyes trained on her once the camera began flashing, I barely registered Mackenzie as she passed me the next outfit, let alone what anyone else in the room was doing. Which made me question why, suddenly, Maria brought her camera away from her face and turned to me with furrowed brows.

"Is someone at the door?"

I listened for a moment, but as I went to shake my head, figuring nobody would have any reason to be here, I heard it. A knock that seemed to be coming from the front entrance. Pursing my lips, I signaled for someone to cut the music as I moved to unlock the door and pull it open a crack. Only to see Seb standing there, two boxes of pizza in hand.

His features brightened immediately upon seeing me. "Hey." Leaning forwards, he planted a chaste kiss on my lips. "How are things going?"

"Uh, good," I said, still sort of dumbstruck that he was here.

When I backed up a step, opening the door a bit wider, he took it as a silent invitation to come inside. And to be fair, any other day, it would've been.

"Wow, things look great in here."

Watching as his gaze arced over the space, I couldn't help but smile as a small thrill of accomplishment rushed through me. Since the last time he'd visited, I'd had the hardwood floors stained white and the walls painted a pale pink, elevating the elegant and feminine vibe I was going for. It was coming together—one piece at a time.

"Yeah, hopefully I'll have everything set up in time for the opening in May," I explained, momentarily appeasing him before frustration set in. "But, uh, what are you doing here?"

Not catching on to my change of tone, he held up the pizza. "I figured you guys would want something to eat after being locked up in here all day, so I picked up dinner."

Aimee appeared beside us. "That sounds fantastic." Watching as she plucked the boxes out of Seb's hands, I looked at what everyone else was doing and saw that work had come to a complete stop—everyone suddenly enthralled with Seb. "Thanks."

"No problem," he said, before throwing a wave and a grin at everyone else.

Closing my eyes for a second, I attempted to calm my emotions, managing to get a hold on them before reaching to grab his hand. "Can we talk outside for a minute?" I asked, grinding my teeth in an effort not to get mad at him in front of everyone.

Finally realizing I wasn't exactly thrilled at his appearance, he bit the inside of his cheek and followed me outside. Crisp air nipped at my skin through my sweater as I shut the door behind us, but as I went to speak, Seb tried to jump in first.

"Jo—"

"Don't," I said, shutting him down immediately, wanting to get my feelings off my chest. "Don't try and apologize or talk your way out of this. I want to know what made you decide it was a good idea to show up here, out of the blue, after I deliberately ignored your calls."

"Okay, I understand that you're mad—"

"Do you, Seb? Do you actually?" I met his gaze straight on, my frustration clear as day. "Because I really don't think you understand how much I need things to go as planned during the next month or so before the opening. I can't afford to lose focus, especially on days like this, and I told you this morning I would be busy, so why did you show up?"

He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Honestly, I knew you were busy. I just thought I could help out, considering how much you have on your plate."

I sighed, stepping forwards and laying my head against his chest. "But all you really did was throw off our focus."

Wrapping his arms loosely around me, he said, "That wasn't my intention, and I'm sorry."

His hands rested at the base of my back, moving in small, sensuous strokes, and it was almost enough for me to apologize and let him stay. Almost.

"I know it wasn't," I said, pulling back and looking up at him. "I just need to make sure I get everything right. I can't afford to lose time or screw up." My lips curved into a small smile. "I do appreciate the pizza though."

"Well it's yours to keep, so enjoy it." He placed a gentle kiss on the crown of my head before stepping back, digging his hands into his pockets. "I'm going to head out. Let me know how things pan out and tell your mom and sister it was nice to meet them."

Shit. I'd been too wrapped up in my own head that I hadn't even realized this was the first time they'd actually met Seb. What a first impression.

"I'll call you when we're done here. Promise."

Offering him a wave as he took a few steps backwards, I waited for him to turn the corner before exhaling, letting the tension and frustration flow away. I knew he hadn't meant to interrupt the day and had honestly thought he was being helpful, showing up like he did, but I needed to stand firm when it came to my career. I wanted so badly to make this dream a reality that it had to be my number one priority. At least until the opening, when things would slowly start to settle into a routine. Hopefully.

With a small push, I opened the door to the store and stepped inside to see everyone huddled together, not working, and hushing each other now that I'd reappeared.

"Everything good?"

I nodded, trying to ignore their calculating gazes. "Seb just wanted to drop by with dinner, knowing we'd probably be starving."

"You sure, honey?" my mom asked, worry creasing her forehead.

"Totally," I replied, sweeping the argument under the rug. I didn't want to spend time rehashing it with them, at least not right now. There was work to do. "Let's get these photos finished, then we'll dig into the pizza, courtesy of Seb."

There was a brief second where nobody moved, almost afraid to, but when I took the first step in getting back to business, asking where the red lace set had gone, everyone snapped out of it. It was full steam ahead once again, and this time all I could do was hope nothing else broke our focus.