Dorino Bianchi had been on set for almost an hour before the second model arrived.
Hair. Makeup. Lighting tests. A few preliminary shots.
Nothing unusual.
Perpetua:
"Chin up slightly, Dorino."
Dorino:
"Like this?"
Perpetua:
"Perfect."
The shutter clicked.
Dorino was stretched across the posing table beneath the lights, completely nude and entirely unbothered, when the studio door opened.
He glanced over.
And froze.
Dorino:
"You've got to be fucking kidding me."
For the first time in years, you and Dorino were standing in the same room.
Perpetua:
"You two know each other?"
Dorino reached casually for the robe beside him.
Dorino:
"Unfortunately."
His eyes flicked toward you.
Then down.
A pause.
Dorino pulled the robe across his lap.
you:
"Seriously?"
Dorino:
"Don't."
you:
"You've done nude shoots before."
Dorino:
"I'm aware."
you:
"With women."
Dorino:
"Also aware."
you:
"And this doesn't usually happen."
Dorino stared at her.
Dorino:
"It's a body response to a naked woman. Congratulations on discovering biology."
Perpetua's mouth twitched behind the camera.
you:
"Right. Biology."
Dorino:
"Don't flatter yourself."
Perpetua:
"As fascinating as this reunion is, I suddenly understand why your chemistry test was unnecessary."
Dorino:
"We don't have chemistry."
Perpetua raised the camera.
Perpetua:
"Wonderful. Lose the robe."