Work Text:
Carrie twists the strap of her bag boredly as she sits in the conference room. She's really glad they're pulling her in to work on this new campaign, it means they actually trust her, but…she's so nervous! She saw the models in the side room when she came in, and they're all so put-together, and she didn't even brush her hair today, and this is her first big job and she feels terrible again! Ugh!
It takes her way too long to notice that her boss is staring at her. She lets out a little gasp and goes back to staring just behind his head.
"Carrie, you're going to be working with Ryan today."
Ryan. Okay. Okay, okay, okay. That's doable. It's a one-on-one, so…it's doable.
It's not doable. He's so cool!
Ryan is buff and tall in a way that she doesn't think she's ever seen in real life, but she should get used to this, right? That's just what her job is, taking pictures of unusual people. But not, apparently, people this buff!
"...hi." She gives a little wave. "I'm Carrie. I'll be your photographer for today."
Ryan just nods. Did he not like it? Did he not like her?
Whatever. It's…whatever.
Hair and makeup did a very nice job on him, she thinks.
"Um…so, can you change into the sneakers we're advertising? And then go sit on the couch?" She points at the shoebox on the set. "You can leave your other shoes here, I'll take care of them."
Ryan says nothing in response, but just walks over to the couch and begins unlacing his sneakers.
That's not good. If he can't open up to her, how is he supposed to open up to the camera? To the viewers?
Okay. Get him to actually open up. That's the plan.
…it works. Sort of. Maybe. Probably.
He still hasn't said a word to her, but he has made some endearing expressions!
"So, how long have you been in modeling?"
He holds up a hand.
"Five years? Wow."
He shakes his head.
"Five months?"
Okay, that's even more impressive. She stops herself from saying this as soon as she thinks it.
"You look…really great! Um, can you hold the present box a little more loosely?"
She adjusts the focus on the lens. Ryan just gives a thumbs-up. Huh. His new pose is pretty good.
This goes on until lunch. He's expressive to her but he's just not saying anything! Is she not getting through at all?
He's just about to leave when she runs over to him and stands in the doorway.
"Am I doing something wrong? If I'm saying something insensitive, or if the lighting is bad–sorry about that, the agency insisted on it being holiday lights–or if it's too Christmas-y, you can just tell me. I'm not mad at you."
Ryan hands her a little piece of folded paper.
Oh, god, is that a love confession? Is it? She's flattered, but…Devin. The spot in her heart is shaped like Devin and she does not want to shove anything else in it, no matter how empty she's filling or how much Devin can't fill it in right now because of his horrible breakup or–
Well. He's not totally hers yet, so she shouldn't worry about it. Paper.
She carefully unfolds the paper and immediately drops it.
Sorry, lost my voice yesterday.
No way. There's no way. She spent all this time on freaking out for nothing?!