“I never thought my first big purchase on Madison Avenue would be lingerie for a man I’ve never met.”

Zaza, my best friend and partner in this escapade, drags me toward the fancy boutique. “This is where all the rich people shop,” she says, lowering her sunglasses to take in the famous names on the shopfronts. “Chanel. Versace. And that La Perla lingerie shop you’re looking for is right there.”

I peer at the gorgeous La Perla shop window, edged in gold and beige. The sleek mannequins pose elegantly, their silky lingerie more seductive than scandalous.

A wave of anxiety washes over me. I remind myself why I’m here. I need big money fast to save my parents’ house from foreclosure, and this ‘video modeling’ gig looks to be the most lucrative option.

Just before Zaza pushes the shop door open, I grab her wrist. “Wait! Do I look fancy enough to enter this shop?”

Zaza’s dark eyes assess me critically. “Lexi, you score an A+ in the beauty department with that expensive-looking blonde mane and that gorgeous body, but that guitar around your neck ruins the effect.”

“You know I—”

“Look. Just let me do the talking, or they’ll have us thrown out as panhandling vagrants before we begin. What’s the name of this video service again?”

“LotusCam,” I whisper, the knot in my stomach tightening. I should be in my apartment right now, studying for exams. Not shopping for lingerie to model on a webcam for strangers.

Zaza struts into the shop like she owns the place. Even though she’s wearing her Equinox T-shirt and jeans, the supermodel-looking saleswoman immediately stands at attention.

“Hello, ladies. How can I help you?”

“LotusCam sent a gift certificate for my friend, on behalf of one of their clients,” Zaza says.

The woman taps a few keys on her device. “Yes, I have it. What kind of ensemble are you looking for?”

“Sexy, of course,” Zaza says without missing a beat. “I presume the client would like the full Monty: garters, one of those push-up bras that will make her”—she gestures vaguely at her own oversized chest—“stand at attention.”

“I understand. Have a seat, and I’ll be right back.” The woman gestures toward a small velvet sofa in the center of the gorgeously decorated room.

“May we have Champagne while we wait?”

What?! I shoot a reprimanding glance at my presumptuous friend. I can’t afford bottled water, let alone Champagne.

“Of course, madam. I’ll have it brought out now, while I show your friend to the fitting room.”

This should be my Pretty Woman moment, I think, as the saleswoman measures me in the privacy of the fitting room. But instead of shopping with a handsome billionaire, I’m here on a camgirl’s errand.

After trying on the fancy lingerie the saleswoman brings me, I approach the cash register. Peeking at the price tags, I gasp. “Wow! This is pricey. If there isn’t enough money on the gift card, what—”

The saleswoman laughs as she wraps the lingerie in tissue paper, affixing it with a perfumed gold sticker. “Honey, you could buy anything in the store with the credit you have left.”

“Excellent! Bring out something for me, and more Champagne, please!” Zaza calls out from the sofa.

“Let’s just go.” I don’t know this client who chose me from LotusCam’s other workers, and I have no idea why he wanted to buy me expensive lingerie to wear on camera. But I’m not about to abuse his generosity.

Zaza mimics me in a sing-song voice as we leave the store. While we wait for the streetlight to turn green, she dips her hand into my shoulder bag. “I wanna see what you bought,” she says, yanking the delicate, neatly folded lingerie out of its wrapping.

My cheeks redden as she holds up the wispy bits of green silk to examine them. More than a few snobby-looking East Side pedestrians turn our way.

“This is it? You had carte blanche to buy anything in the store, and you only bought these two things?”

“That’s more money than I make in a week! $250 for the bra and $175 for the panties! I don’t even know what the garters cost.”

“This Harold guy must be a big shot. Probably LotusCam’s top client. He wants to see you looking good. I bet he gets off on it. Literally,” she adds with a snicker. “Accept it.”

The light turns green, and we cross Madison Avenue. The entire idea of appearing on a video camera in front of a strange man for his viewing enjoyment disgusts me. But teaching music to kids barely pays my own bills, let alone the massive debt my parents racked up.

Glancing at her watch, Zaza shoves the lingerie back into my bag. “I’m late for my shift! Call me later.”

As Zaza disappears into the blur of pedestrians, I remind myself that this initial LotusCam appointment will be the most uncomfortable. It will be easier after that. Or so Stella at the agency tells me.

Once I pay off that $10,000 on my parents’ loan, the bank will ease up, and I can focus on my music.

Or so I hope.

Author’s Note: I had so much fun writing this chapter. First, I love the La Perla store … and Yes! Once the wind almost whipped my lacy lingerie from the bag.

And I also pass by the zoo and the laughing seals on my way to Laduree for croissant. You can click here to read Chapter 2 or start reading the entire book on Amazon FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.