Camera Shy (Lessons in Love, #1)(45)

“Oh my God…I, um…shit, Finn. I’m not usually lost for words…”

“It’s okay, don’t say anything. I just wanted you to know I’m not playing you.” He looks up and his smile returns. “I’m for real. I’m a good guy.”

I nod, because I believe him. Finn is for real. “Okay,” I whisper.

“All right, Queen. Get some rest. You’re going to need it.” He winks. “Dream of me tonight.”





13


Finn





“That was fucking grueling,” Lennox says as she pulls the pig puppet off her right hand. She proceeds to help me load my equipment into the back seat of my truck. I didn’t need to bring much. The sky was perfect today for family photos at the town park. It’s bright out, but a little overcast, so we had no issues with a glare. It went much better than last year.

We learned. When you’re photographing an extended family that has eighteen members, eight of which are under the age of four, bring puppets, balloons, and snacks.

“That little kid, Jaxon, has a shocking resemblance to the Chucky doll.” I shoot her a look. “What?” she asks defensively. “I mean, like before the scar…but still with the evil eyes.”

I don’t say anything because she’s right. Jaxon is terrifying looking. The kid was mean mugging me through the entire photo shoot, and I have the pictures to prove it.

I love the Richmond family. I’ve been photographing them for six years now. Their extended family is huge and it’s the patriarch, Grandpa Jack, who always pays the bill. He tips me as much as my services cost. I think he pities me, but I’m currently in no position to decline. He’s the main reason Finn Harvey photography is still in business. It’s always why when he calls, I bend over backward to accommodate him.

I don’t normally do weddings, but I made a special exception for his favorite granddaughter, Katie. They hire me for everything—back-to-school photos, newborn pictures, engagement photos, and annual family photos. I even talked Katie into a boudoir photo shoot as a wedding present for her now husband, Bryce. She told me he loved them, but it’s been three years and the dude still won’t look me in the eyes. He’ll just shake my hand and smile at my shoes like he’s intimidated.

Believe me, Katie doesn’t turn my crank. Nothing turns me off more than the idea of cheating. I hated cheaters because of my dad, and Nora’s antics put the final nail in that coffin.

“Thanks for your help today,” I say. “Also, what the hell are you wearing?”

Lennox has swapped her normally dark, gothic look for a beige, floral dress. Come to think of it, her hair is pulled back into a neat ponytail and I think she’s wearing pink lipstick.

“I have a lot of looks,” she says noncommittally.

“True. But I’ve never seen this one.”

She shrugs. “It’s summer.”

“You’re seeing someone new, aren’t you?”

She flashes me a sarcastic smile, her nose crumpling. “I put some southwest eggrolls in your fridge, by the way. Your dinner awaits you.”

“You’re a good woman, Lennox. Thank you. But I’ll get some more fresh tonight. I’m taking Avery to Rue 52.”

Lennox smiles so wide her face might split in half.

“What?” I ask.

“You’re honestly going to throw on a sports coat? You hate wearing a monkey suit and going to Rue 52.”

“Yeah, I wanted to take her somewhere nice.”

“Wow.” Lennox’s eyes are full of snarky condescension. “Is this a thank you dinner?”

“Uh…in a way?”

Lennox pushes against my arm playfully. “That’s awesome. So she’s going to help with the website?”

“She is…” I wonder if Lennox can tell I’m trying to dodge the details.

“When does she want to do the boudoir shoot?” Lennox asks as she follows behind me. I open the door, crawl into the driver’s seat, and crank the car to get the air conditioner flowing. It’s disgustingly hot today and I don’t need my equipment warping from the heat.

“She doesn’t.”

“What? Why not? The set is fucking amazing if I say so myself. I’ve almost finished staging.”

“She’s not into that sort of stuff. We have a different…arrangement.”

Any other person in the world would shrug and think nothing of it. But it’s Lennox. She’s family, my best friend, and is not too shy to call me on my shit.

“You dog.” She clasps her hands together as she looks up at me. “I mean, I never thought you’d pimp yourself out to save our business, but hey, whatever keeps the doors open.” She’s snickering in glee, watching my unamused expression.

“It’s not what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking you slept with her.”

“I didn’t.” More like I sat with my head between her thighs for about fifteen minutes.

“Liar,” Lennox snarks. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. She’s really cute, and here’s hoping she’s an upgrade in personality from your usual type.”

“She’s way more than cute…she’s got a lot of layers.” Avery toggles between shy and insecure to intimidatingly intelligent and direct. It keeps me on my toes how I can’t quite pin down her personality. All I know is that I like it. “She’s also going through it with her ex.”