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| Chapter 3 The ringing of her alarm at six-thirty woke Arizona from her deep slumber. I wonder what would happen if I didn�t open the studio today, she thought as she fumbled to turn off her alarm. I�d probably get shot, that�s what would happen. Reluctantly she stumbled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. She turned on the water and hopped in the shower. After drying her hair and putting on a little make-up she went back to her room to pick out an outfit. Finally deciding on a pair of khaki capris and a red boat-neck tank top she bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen to eat breakfast. It was about 7:45 by the time she left her house. She hopped in her red Sebring convertible and sped off. Cruising through downtown Miami with the top down always lifted her spirits. Scanning the radio stations, Arizona stopped on a station that was playing �Larger Then Life�. Here we go, she thought. Some good music to get the day started. Just as the song ended she pulled into the parking lot for Snapshots, the photography studio she worked at. Getting out of the car, she ran up the front steps and unlocked the door. She walked in and started setting up the equipment she would need to use that day. Giselle, her boss, had said that they were scheduled to shoot a bunch of �spoiled Miami Barbie dolls who think they can be the next Cindy Crawford�. That was basically the clientele that they got. Young girls and guys who wanted to be models and actors. The typical Miami stereotype. Arizona had just finished setting up her camera and lights when Giselle walked in. �Z! How�s my favorite photographer doing this fine morning?� she asked in her usual chipper voice. �Do you want the whole story or the cliffs notes version?� Arizona replied. �I have a feeling this is going to be messy. Give me the cliffs notes,� Giselle said. �Trent and I are through.� �What!?� Giselle exclaimed. �I caught him in bed with some little high-school girl,� Arizona said. �Didn�t I tell you he was no good?� Arizona�s assistant, Carter, said as he walked into the studio. �Hi, welcome to our conversation,� Arizona said sarcastically. �Sorry, I couldn�t help overhearing. You talk really loud,� he said, setting down his bag. �Right. As I was saying, TO GISELLE, Trent and I are no more.� �I�m sorry honey. He never deserved a sweet girl like you in the first place,� she said comforting. �Since when is Z sweet?� Carter asked. �Carter, we all know you want her so shut up,� Giselle said. Arizona just laughed as Carter shot her and Giselle a menacing glance. �Thanks for your support guys. I think I�ll be getting over it quickly,� Arizona said. �Anytime girl,� Giselle said. �Oh, before we have clients arriving, I have a proposition for you two.� Carter and Arizona looked at each other and then at Giselle. �What kind of proposition?� Carter asked. �It�s big. I mean really big. You don�t have to do it if you don�t want to,� Giselle started. �What is it?� Arizona asked. �Well,� she started, �Since this studio is doing so well I�ve decided to open another one.� �Giselle, that�s great!� Arizona cut in. �And I�d like you to run it,� she said to Z. �What!?� she asked shocked. �And where do I come in?� Carter asked. �You�d help her,� Giselle said. �There is a catch though.� �That being?� Carter said. �The new studio is in Orlando.� �What!?� Carter and Z exclaimed. �The photography market is full here in Miami. Orlando is a popular city and the market is much wider there. The studio is already set up. I�ve even found you two a house to share,� Giselle explained. �You mean we�d be moving to Orlando?� Arizona asked. �Yeah, that�s the problem,� Giselle said skeptically. Arizona thought about it for a minute. Now that Trent is out of my life there really isn�t anything keeping me here. Except for Lexis, but this is a great opportunity for me to expand my photography career. �I�ll do it,� she said. �Really?� Giselle asked. �Yeah.� �It�s all up to you now Carter.� He looked from Giselle to Arizona. �Count me in,� he said, a smile forming on his face. |
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