Commmme withhhh ussssss! It’ll be fun.
Fun like a punch in the ovary,maybe. I think I’ve officially reached the age where staying my ass at home is more appealing than noise and nonsense.And one-night stands…
Goddammit it.I press my lips together as if I wasn’t just biting the lower one. It does nothing to stop the memory of Trevor’s tongue mapping my body. Doesn’t erase the warmth of his hands eclipsing my thighs like I’m some dainty maiden. Won’t undo the shudder traveling down my spine at the thought of him whispering in my ear—Ugh.Let it fucking go!
It’s been weeks since I lost my mind in San Diego, and those fucking dimples have been a prominent part of my dreams ever since. I wasted three full days trying to get back into my routine after that night. It’s pissing me off that Istillcan’t control my thoughts. Maybe it’s guilt from blowing him off the morning after, or maybe I was lonelier than I realized.Either way, I’m sick of the reminder that I let myself get out of control. Too much followed me home from that trip, including the sand I keep finding in my house. Lesson learned. It won’t happen again.
Me
I’d rather scoot my bare ass over every cactus in Death Valley.
Ash
You’re too young to be this grumpy. Speaking of…
Mom wants to know if you’re coming for Thanksgiving.
Me
Ooh, totally!
Ash
Really?!
Me
HELL NO.
Ash
Please, Wills? It might be different this year.
Me
Golden Child says what?
Ash
Don’t call me that…
Despite the three-year age gap, it’s always been clear my younger sister is the preferred child. Even our names scream favoritism. Ashlie got the cutesy, popular moniker, while I was saddled with the drabWilhelmina. My parents claim it’s a namesake from some distant grand relative—that I should be proud—but I don’t give two shits. No one gives a child this name unless she’s expected to be holed up in a library with no social life.
Enter me: the shy, chubby genius. Our parents focused on my path to the Ivy Leagues, while remaining adamant about clearing all possible obstacles in my sister’s path. If she even looked like she would struggle, they jumped to her aid. But that’s not Ashlie’s fault; she’s had her own issues with them. I’m just in a weird mood.
Sighing, I shoot off an apology and stick my phone in my desk. That’s my whole reason for this vacation to Europe. I’m pent up and making bad decisions because of it. Doing something just for me is long overdue. I’ve started talking with potential guest photographers for the studio, and already gave a heads-up to TAILA. Once I replace the money used for the festival, I’ll be ready to pick a date and find accommodations. It’ll be a trip of a lifetime.
“Ms. Willa,can I have some chocolate now?” five-year-old Maddie Johnson asks. She’s been eyeing the candy bowl since she came in. Between her afro puffs and the black and purple tutu, I can’t decide which is cuter. The Johnson family has been coming to me since before she was born. They’re always the first to schedule a Halloween session, so I’ve gotten to see each one of her adorable costumes through the years.
“Let’s make sure it’s okay with your mom first.”
“Mommy,please! I smiled in every single picture.”
She did. Even the serious ones feature a toothless vampire-ballerina grin—much different from her usual pout.
Mrs. Johnson nods while her husband chats with my assistant. I slide the candy bowl over, laughing at the elated jumps exploding out of Maddie. Even as an infant, she was full of sass and attitude. It’s always been in the back of my mind that if I ever had a little girl, she’d be exactly the same.
“I’ll get the sneak peeks back in forty-eight hours, but I just have to show you this one. It’s too cute,” I say, whipping the camera strap over my head. As soon as I turn the screen toward Shawna Johnson, she covers a cackle. Maddie took my direction to be “fierce” and went fully vogue.
