Laura finished up her last class and by the end of the week, and the entire school was scheduled to close down for the following two weeks until summer courses started.  The following Tuesday was her last day in the library, and she had already told Rusty that she wouldn't be back the following year.

Laura had been sent the itinerary for the next two weeks, and they were going to be shooting around the university campus and some of the local night spots.  The few students who were not leaving were being hired to sit in the background for the photo shoot. Laura still hadn't told anybody that she was a part of it, wanting to enjoy her anonymity for a little longer. Carmen and Kelly were arriving that week and Laura was supposed to stay with them at the hotel.

Davis was hoping to get all of the shots he wanted, but he was unsure if he could do it at one school so he had another on standby in case they needed to move. The previous year they had traveled light, with just one make-up artist and wardrobe assistant when needed, this year they were to have the works, even lighting was to be included since most of their shots were to be inside.

The humorous side of Laura thought it was because they would need all the help they could get in making themselves look young enough to be college age. On Sunday night she moved from her shared apartment with Rusty to the hotel downtown. She was wearing her college garb so she wasn't recognized and she was able to slip in unnoticed.

There was a message waiting for her saying that the others would be in the bar at seven and she should join them for dinner. It took her a short time to change into a pale pink wrap dress with high heel sandals,and she left her hair down around her shoulders and did minimal make-up.

As soon as she entered the restaurant she saw Davis standing at the bar with Kelly and Carmen laughing at something the bartender was saying. He looked handsome, his dark hair reflected the lights and as he turned and saw her his dimple flashed in his cheek.

She crossed the room to him and he put his arm around her waist dropping a light kiss on her head. "What'll you have?"

"Just a water please," she said coolly.

"Boring Laura, it's the beginning of a new campaign have a glass of wine."

"No, thank you," Laura said, reaching for her water as it was served.

"Now ladies, no fighting on the first evening together please. There will be time enough for the catty remarks and back stabbing tomorrow," Davis said as he led the way to a table.

Dinner was as pleasant as it could be, but Laura was disappointed when Davis said goodnight and left them. He had not bothered to say anything special to Laura all night.  Granted, Kelly and Carmen were there, but he could have sat with her until they left or she was ready to go to her room.

"Burnt that bridge, didn't you Laura? I only hope you look as good in the photos this year as you did last year." Kelly smiled into her drink.

"Either way I'll still look better than you Kelly." She stood up,nodding a quick goodnight to Carmen. The elevator was slow to arrive, and when she stepped off on her floor she saw Davis standing in the hall outside her room looking at his phone.

"Are you going to invite me in?" he asked with his wicked smile.

"Why did you leave?" she answered back, unlocking her door.

"I don't want to give Kelly any ammunition to use against you. She's after your job you know." He followed Laura into the room turning on the light behind him.

Laura smiled. "What else is new?"

"You don't seemed bothered by it."

"I'm not." She shrugged, walking over the dresser and starting to take off her jewelry, watching as Davis sat on the edge of her bed watching her.

"Davis? Why did you choose the university I attend for the shoot?" She turned to look at him. "It's going to make it really awkward tomorrow when people find out who I am."

"How do they not know who you are?" He looked completely shocked.

"I don't know, but even a visit from your mother and Mason didn't seem to clue people in on it."

"Why on earth did Mason visit you?" Davis shrugged out of his jacket and threw it across the room to the chair in the corner.

"He said something about being there on your behalf and to represent the family. Cassie said something about a speeding ticket."

Davis thought about it and shrugged, "He was probably in the neighborhood and curious. He likes to pop in on people unawares."

"But why my school?"

"Believe it or not it was requested that I use your school, if possible, by Landau. They're going to try to cash in on your real life 'going back to school' story. They think that it will open up a new market and potentially make them look like it's less about the product and more about a woman's rights."

Laura shook her head and laughed. "If that were the case then none of us would wear make-up in the photos.

"God forbid!" Davis laughed as he reached for her.

"I'm going back to New York after this. I'm done with school for now."

"Won't Landau be surprised?" he said, reaching up and pulling her down on the bed next to him.

"Are you surprised?" Laura asked, her voice catching at the heat she saw in his gaze. Her heart sped up and her hands trembled as she rested them against his chest.

"A little, but I'm glad because now it'll be easier." He dropped a little kiss on her lips.

"What will be easier?" She followed him as he pulled away, wanting more.

"Us getting married." He reached up and traced her cheek.

"Married?"

"Ummhumm, I told you that that's where we we're headed."

"Davis."

"Yes, Laura.

"I love you," she whispered.

He smiled. "I love you too," he said just before he took her lips with his. "I hope you know that means I'm staying."

She nodded. "Oh, and I will marry you Davis, even though you haven't really asked."

He kissed her hard and after a few minutes he broke away. "I love you Laura Wren, the Ice Oueen, will you marry me?" he kissed her again. "How was that?"

"It'll do."

*******

Laura and Davis entered the lobby together and found Kelly and Carmen waiting for them.

"You two look cozy," Carmen said with a knowing smile.

Kelly frowned her displeasure.

Davis was in a hurry so he didn't comment as he loaded everyone in the van and they drove the short distance to the university. There was already a crowd as they pulled up in front of the English department's building, which was one of the oldest and most dramatic building on campus.

Kelly and Carmen emerged slowly as they tried to get their bearings, but Laura was just plain hesitant. After today there would be no going back. "Ladies, in that door and to the left for hair and make-up," Davis directed before turning away from them.

The three of them made their way to the dressing room together and were silent as a team of people started on their hair and make-up, after which they were dressed.  The whole ordeal took a little over an hour and when they emerged they didn't look like any college students Laura knew.

Kelly would probably pass because of her all American looks, but Carmen would definitely be the one to seduce the professor and Kelly said as much to her. Carmen did not find the comment amusing and dealt her a harsh rebuff about how Kelly looked the right age for a change and not like a little girl trying to place dress-up.

Laura looked, in her opinion, like a professor. Her hair was up and the suit she was wearing was all business.

Davis came down the hall, took one look at them and started to laugh. "This is why I don't like make-up artists. You girls look like..." He shook his head unable to finish it. "As of now I am firing the make-up artist and hair stylist." Someone whispered something in his ear and he smiled.

"Go get ready for class girls, I have a surprise for you."

Laura eye's narrowed, Kelly looked over eager, and Carmen looked relieved.

Half an hour later they emerged again, this time looking like students in jeans and t-shirts, with sandals and light make-up. Kelly had her hair down as did Carmen, and Laura had hers up in a ponytail.

"So much better?" He grinned as he kissed them when they walked past to enter the classroom which was full. "Class, I would like you to meet your supermodels, Kelly Harper, Carmen Morales, and some of you may know Laura Wren." He took each girl and placed them where he wanted them to be.

Laura was dead center and Rusty was a few chairs behind her. "Laura!" she hissed. "You're the Landau Girl?" she giggled.

Laura turned to her with a polite smile and then turned back around.

"Now meet your instructor for the day," Davis said, pulling Mason out from behind one of the lighting screens. There was a lot of noise as everyone went a little crazy, and Mason enjoyed every minute of it as he sat on the table at the front of the room.

"This is Sex Ed 101, right?" He winked, and the girls went wild.

"Mason!" Davis stopped him.

"Fine, I'll talk about something boring."

Laura watched and listened about how a Broadway play was created from beginning to end and actually learned something in the process. After an hour Mason threw up his hands. "That's it, that's all I've got."

Everyone clapped and Davis looked at his camera. "Thanks Mason, Cassie." He motioned, and Cassie came from the back of the room.

"What are you going to teach my dear?" Mason asked, moving over to the edge of the room.

"I'm going to teach about making a record." Cassie was off, she even sang a little for them and she told a few Mason stories which made everyone laugh. When she was done Davis called for a break and everyone stood up stretching. Davis had been calling out to Laura, Kelly, and Carmen the things that he wanted them to do, so they hadn't been able to sit enraptured like the other students had.

Laura moved down to Mason and Cassie, greeting them with polite kisses, and it wasn't long before Rusty followed. "Wow Laura, I didn't even guess." She smiled as she joined their group. "Who's the gorgeous guy taking photos?"  she asked,looking over at Davis, who was still taking pictures.

"That's my fiancé, Davis Stevens." It felt odd and thrilling to say it out loud.

"Oh my gosh, you said yes!" Cassie squealed. "She said yes Davis!"

Davis looked at Cassie and grinned, "I know, I was there when she said it."

"I have to tell everyone!" Cassie said,whipping out her phone. "What's your number Laura? You have to be added to the phone tree." Laura took Cassie's phone and added her number and a few minutes later her phone blew up with one constant text.

"Welcome to the family," Davis said looking over her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her waist, reading all of the wonderful things that were being said. She even teared up a little, but only a little, because she was, after all, the Ice Queen.

Check out Rainer's story, 'You Belong to Me'.

***If you want to read more about Charlotte, Laura's sister, and her new husband, Kellan, check out their story, 'Don't Say Goodbye.'