PD7

Chapter 7

�Paige, could you hand me that lens please?� Arizona asked.

�Sure,� she responded and handed Arizona the lens.

�I can�t believe we have a shoot already,� Z exclaimed.

�Yeah, you can thank me later,� Carter replied, lowering the backdrop.

Arizona just rolled her eyes. So far everything was working out. The studio was beautiful, the house was amazing, she had a shoot already scheduled, an assistant had been found and she didn�t have to put up with Carter by herself. Everything seemed to be agreeing with her. The jingling of a bell up front signaled the arrival of their first clients.

�Oh, I got it!� Z cried, running to the front of the studio. She pushed aside the curtain and entered the lobby. There, staring at the various photos on the wall, was an attractive blonde man. His hair looked like it needed to be cut and the stubble on his chin made him look rugged. The oval glasses and Armani suit he wore gave off a more sophisticated vibe, however. He was definitely the most attractive guy Arizona had encountered.

Noticing Arizona�s presence, Mr. Davidson looked up from the photos. He flashed a smile at Z and walked over to her.

�You must be Ms. Morgan,� he said, extending his hand. Z offered hers in response. �I�m Mr. Davidson. I set up this shoot with your assistant yesterday.�

�Yes. Everything is almost ready,� Arizona replied.

�Great. The boys should be coming in shortly,� he said, glancing out the door.

The boys? Z thought to herself. Just after she thought it, her question was answered.

�Nick, that is the last time we let you drive the van,� Kevin chastised as he entered the building, followed closely by the other boys.

Arizona just stood there in shock. The Backstreet Boys! I�m photographing The Backstreet Boys!

�Mr. Davidson, will you excuse me for one moment,� she said, then quickly ran to the back.

She breezed through the curtain, turned to Carter and smacked him upside his head.

�The Backstreet Boys!! You didn�t tell me we were photographing The Backstreet Boys!!� she cried.

Paige nearly dropped the camera she was holding.

�Did you just say The Backstreet Boys?� she asked.

�Yeah. Key word there being �just�. If Carter had told me yesterday you would�ve known last night,� Arizona replied.

�I�m sorry. I didn�t want to make a big deal of it,� Carter said.

�Well it is a big deal. If we do good today that means they could be permanent clients. Do you realize how good that would be for the studio? If, on the other hand, we do poorly, then we�re ruined,� Z hypothesized.

�Yeah, and if I had know yesterday I would�ve asked for the day off,� Paige replied.

�Why? Don�t like the Backstreet Boys? Are you an Nsync fan?� Carter patronized.

�Now you know why I needed another girl in the house,� Z remarked.

Carter just threw her a dirty look and continued working on the backdrop.

�So what�s the big deal with The Backstreet Boys?� Z asked.

Paige looked down, almost embarrassed to say what she needed to. After a second she looked up and said, �AJ and I actually dated for awhile about two years ago.�

�He�s a huge superstar. I doubt he even remembers you. And if he does..... damn girl,� Carter said.

�Not helping Carter,� Z chastised. �Paige, I know it�ll be difficult working with your ex-boyfriend, but I really need your help today. Will you stay?�

Paige looked at Arizona. She really needed this job. She couldn�t afford to say no. �Yeah, I�ll stay.�

�Great! I�ll be right back,� Z said and ran back up front.

Quickly she composed herself before walking through the curtain. Taking a deep breath, she pulled aside the only barrier between her and the Backstreet Boys and stepped through.

�Mr. Davidson, everything is all set,� she said as she stared into his deep blue eyes.

�That sounds so formal. Call me Phoenix,� he replied, flashing another smile.
Arizona�s heart nearly skipped a beat. Damn, he is fine, she thought. Who cares about the Backstreet Boys, I�ll take their manager!

�Alright Phoenix. You can call me Z,� she replied.

�Z? Is that short for something?� he asked.

�Actually it�s short for Arizona,� Z answered.

�Hey, it�s Phoenix and Arizona! You two match!� Nick observed.

The rest of the boys just shook their heads while Nick marveled at his revelation. Finally AJ stepped forward, extending his hand to Arizona.

�I don�t believe we�ve been properly introduced,� he said, eyeing her up and down. Not bad, he thought as his eyes ran over the baby pink capris that accentuated her long legs, to the white, spaghetti strap tank top and finally up to her tanned face. Her electric green eyes peered out at him from a mop of wavy auburn hair. �I�m AJ,� he continued, �and this is Kevin, Howie, Brian and captain obvious over there is better known as Nick.�

�It�s nice to meet you all,� Z replied, giving her hand to AJ, who brought it up to his lips and kissed it lightly. Z blushed slightly when AJ let go of her hand. �If you�ll follow me, we can go start the shoot.�

They all followed Arizona to the back where Paige and Carter had just finished setting everything up.

�Carter, Paige, these are our clients today, the Backstreet Boys and their manager Mr. Davidson. Guys, these are my assistants Carter Jacobs and Paige Webber,� Z introduced.

AJ removed his sunglasses and stared at Paige. Feeling his gaze on her, Paige turned her head and fiddled with the camera.

�Paige? Paige Marie Webber, is that really you?� AJ asked, still staring.

�Hello Alex,� Paige said, not meeting his gaze.

�What are you doing here? I thought you moved to L.A.� AJ commented, shocked it was actually her.

�I did. I actually just moved back to town,� she replied, pretending to fix the lights.

�Why didn�t you call and let me know?� he asked, his voice sounding almost pained.

Paige looked around uncomfortably. Finally meeting AJ�s gaze she answered him, �Alex, I�m working. I don�t think now is the time to discuss this.�

AJ just watched as she turned her back to him.

�Fine,� he said, turning to Z and putting his arm around her. �So Miss Morgan what will you have us do today?�

Arizona shot Paige an apologetic glance as AJ led her over to the group.

******Two Hours Later******

�Well guys I think we�re done,� Arizona announced as she tossed the tenth row of film on the table.

The guys all stood up from their pose and stretched out. For the most part the shoot went very well. In between every picture AJ�s focus was on Paige, who avoided any form of contact with him. Carter proved to be a very trustworthy assistant and Z felt like she had taken some of her best photos ever.

AJ was about to make a move on Paige when Kevin stopped him.

�AJ she obviously doesn�t want to talk to you right now. Give it some time,� he advised.

�Fine,� AJ replied, putting his sunglasses on.

�Well Arizona, I feel that the shoot went very smoothly. How would you feel about doing another one?� Phoenix asked.

Inside Z was jumping for joy. Oh my god!! The Backstreet Boys, clients!! she thought. Then she remembered her new assistant. Paige was an amazing photographer and Z wanted her. Not to mention she was beginning to become a good friend. She didn�t want to do anything to make Paige quit. Damnit, she cursed silently.

�Why don�t we see how the prints turn out before you offer me another job Mr. Dav-- I mean Phoenix,� she replied, smiling slightly. That should give me time to talk to Paige, she thought.

�And when will they be done?� he asked.

�In about a week,� Z replied.

�Alright. How about in the meantime, you and your assistants join us for dinner tonight?� he asked, smiling at her.

Arizona glanced at Paige. She was slowly shaking her head no.

�Thank you for the offer Phoenix, but I don�t--�

�I won�t take no for an answer. We�ll meet you at The Rio at seven,� he declared and with that he and the boys left the studio.