Love Match by Monica Seles Page B

What he looked like shirtless by the tennis courts later. Before she’d grown suspicious of his intentions. Before her feelings got all confused.
    Maya didn’t feel the “smolder.” What she felt was warm and sweet, not hot and passionate, but it was deeper than friendship. She wanted to cover him in tiny kisses, not high fives and fist bumps.
    As the camera continued to click, their hands explored each other’s bodies, always aware that they weren’t alone, but more intimate than they’d normally be in a public setting. They had to sell that image if they wanted the job. But this was more than just a chance at a gig. This was
something
.
    Finally Maya understood what the executive had been talking about in seeing it behind Travis’s eyes. She saw something in there now, beyond the hazel with the green flecks. She saw the same thing she knew he saw in hers.
    They were never going to be just friends.
    Where was Cleo when Maya needed her? Or Renee for that matter?
    Travis had been kind enough to give her a ride back to campus so she didn’t have to take the bus. The whole drive was awkward and uncomfortable as they both tried to avoid the obvious—there was no better word for it—
chemistry
between them during the shoot. Once they reached the dorm,she practically bolted out of the car to get away from him and tell Cleo everything. But the dorm room was empty and Renee wasn’t answering her phone.
    They were probably at the dining hall, where it was usually too loud to hear most ringtones. Maya thought about going there, but she didn’t need prying eyes watching and eavesdropping ears listening in.
    The ring of her own cell phone cut through her tension. Maya was about to yell into it with relief when she stopped herself. It wasn’t Cleo’s or Renee’s name on the caller ID. It was Jordan’s.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œCongratulations,” Jordan said by way of greeting. “You booked the campaign.”
    Maya wasn’t sure she’d heard her right. “I’m sorry?”
    â€œYou got the job! You’re the new face of Esteban’s line!”
    â€œSeriously?” Of all the things that had happened to Maya since she got to the Academy, this was the single most impossible to believe.
    â€œIt was unanimous. They e-mailed your photos over to Esteban and he agreed immediately. They’re going to send me the contract tomorrow.”
    â€œContract?”
    â€œI can look over it for you if you’d like, but I’m going to need a commitment if we’re going to go forward on any other jobs. I don’t offer freebies to all future clients, but I like you, Maya. If the terms are acceptable, I’ll messenger it over along with a formal agreement for us to work together. You can signthe Esteban contract and take some time to look over mine. I’ll be in touch.”
    Jordan ended the call before Maya could even say “Thank you.” This seemed to be standard operating procedure with the agent. Get in. Get out. Don’t leave time for questions. Maya wasn’t crazy about that method, but she couldn’t argue with the results. She booked her first ad campaign!
    The sudden pounding on her door was much more intense than Renee’s had been the night before. “Who is it?”
    â€œYour costar in the Esteban ad campaign!”
    Maya flung open the door and threw herself at Travis. They hooted and hollered as they embraced, drawing girls out from their rooms and into the hall. Cell phones came out as people snapped up the moment for posterity, and future postings on the Wall.
    â€œWe better get inside.” Maya pulled Travis into her room and shut the door before realizing that probably looked a whole lot worse. But she didn’t care. She booked her first job. She was going to get paid!
    â€œJordan called you, too?” Maya asked. Neither of them could sit down. They both had too much