SHOOT: A Novel by Megan West, Kristen Flowers Page A

despite the astronomically high
population. Everything was so different from the small farm town in Iowa and,
while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I also found it intimidating. But as I sat across
Brad, learning about his childhood and laughing my way through glasses of
champagne and new foods, I felt I had gotten off to a good start. With Sonja
who believed in me so much, my awesome roommates, and now Brad, I felt like a
good support system had already come together.

 
    Once dinner
finished, Brad insisted on paying the bill. I was happy to find he was a
gentleman in that regard even if it was considered “old school” thinking for
most people. Where I came from, however, certain things were still basic
manners and I couldn’t just ignore all of that. In the end, I mainly found it
sweet of him.

 
    “Would you like to
get a drink?” he asked.

 
    “I’m confused as
to what we’ve been doing through dinner,” I teased back.

 
    He nudged me
gently with his arm, “ Another drink?”
I turned to him and smiled, nodding. “I know a great bar just a few minutes’
walk away.”

 
    The cool night air
felt good against my skin as we started our walk. I looked up, enjoying the
sight of tall buildings surrounding us. I was really on my first real date and
it was in the Big Apple. I felt like I was in a movie. We walked slowly to the
bar. Somehow we had gotten on the topic of Brad recounting the different celebrities
he’d seen on the streets of New York. It all added to my fascination with the
evening.

 
    “Soon you might be
one of those recognizable New York faces.”

 
    My world was
starting to feel a whole lot bigger.

 

A bit more than a
few minutes later the two of us reached the bar, but I knew the walk took
longer due to our slow pace. We had been enjoying each other’s company too much
to rush anything and the journey was definitely a lot more important than the
destination. As soon as we stepped inside, the noise pounded against my ears.

 
    Brad leaned in,
“What would you like to drink?” His warm breath brushed against my ear and sent
tingles flowing down my neck.   I wracked my
brain for a moment before remembering the advice my roommates gave me, “Vodka
and soda.”

 
    Brad smiled
knowingly, “Did that come from the other models?”

 
    I smiled
sheepishly and nodded. I’d been caught. Brad chuckled and shook his head.

 
    “Listen, I know
you’re new and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I’m sure they’re really just
trying to help you, but you shouldn’t let them tell you what to do either.
There’s a difference between taking advice and letting someone else’s words run
your life.” He reached over to grab one of the cocktail menus littering the
ledge of the bar’s window to show me his personal favorites. “It’s always good
to try something new,” he told me with a suggestive smirk.

 
    I wanted to reply with
some witty statement, but my mind drew a blank. Instead, I pulled the menu
closer to me to have a good look at the options but everything looked unfamiliar.
I had no idea what any of the hard liquors tasted like, save for vodka, so I
hadn’t a clue what sort of cocktail would be good. Thinking back on the
fresh-squeezed juices I was used to drinking back home, I asked Brad what
drinks were fruity and delicious.

 
    “Fruity and
delicious?” he asked. He was looking at me with interest before giving a small
smile and taking the menu. “I’ve got it,” and headed off to the bar to place
the order.

 
    I leaned against
the back wall and watched him as he waited for the drinks to be prepared and
then paid the bartender. He returned holding two glasses. He handed me a bright
blue drink with plenty of ice.

 
    “Let’s go find a
place to sit and enjoy our drinks.” He said as he gently guided me with his
hand on my lower back. My breath fluttered a little as I felt his hand nestle
against me. The two of us weaved through the crowd, which was much