CHAPTER ONE
Renata
Click!Snap!
“Great job! Remember, big smile!” I said as I snapped a few more pictures, getting in as many as I could before the child had enough. Which we were inching closer to with every passing second.
“Awesome! You’re a superstar!” I finished with my client, the final picture taken. I led her over to her parents, both of them smiling ear to ear as they chatted about which pictures they liked.
“Mommy, is Santa almost here?” The little girl asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.
“A few more days, sweetie.” Her mom wrapped her arm around the child’s shoulders and said thanks to me one last time before the family filed out of the studio.
I sighed and took a swig from my water bottle. It had been a long day and thankfully, it was over in a half hour. Only one client left and I’d be free, on my way home to change in my pjs and crack open a bottle of wine with my bestie, April.
She was coming to my place tonight, something we traded off on, exchanging going to each other’s places. Whoever’s place we met at bought the wine and supplied the snacks. This morning, I slid in two bottles of red wine, sliced up the cheese, and made a quick batch of our favorite chocolate snack mix. I melted peanut butter and chocolate together along with some butter and tossed Chex cereal with it. After they were coated, I added powdered sugar, again coating them, and making a puppy chow style mix. I added chocolate candies, chocolate-covered pretzels, and chocolate-covered peanuts.
As it showed, I loved chocolate. I always had some type of chocolate candy on me, whether in my purse, my pocket (often times melted), or in my lunch bag.
I clicked on my schedule on my computer. Currently, I was working for a photo shop, snapping Christmas photos. It was a side gig I picked up during the holidays every year for cash. While I made a decent wage with my own photography business, it was nice having extra money during this time of year. My eyes scanned the screen.4:30 pm: Zion Hooper
My eyes nearly fell out of my skull. That can’t be right.
I clicked on the green box and opened the information tab. Zion Hooper booked a thirty-minute session, Christmas photos.
What? Zion booked an appointment with me? But why?
And why didn’t anyone tell me? Is he back in town?
He must be home for the holidays…
Zion was my best friend April’s older brother.
And I had been madly in love with him for years.
Without anyone ever knowing.
A knock soundedon my studio door and I jumped.He’s here…
Nerves blasted through me.
Why? Why did he schedule an appointment with me? He never had before.
If this was some sort of prank, I’d be pissed especially when I could’ve been on my way home already. But I’d laugh it off because it was him.Zion. The boy I love.
I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. “Come in!” I called.
Dottie, the front desk receptionist, peaked her head around. “Your four thirty appointment is here.”
“Thanks, Dot. Send him on in.”
Dottie followed my orders and stepped aside, Zion appearing in front of her. He walked inside, his eyes on me, and a smile on his face.
Zion wore an ugly Christmas sweater, this one complete with bells, lights, and tinsel. “Hey, Renata. How are you?”
I swallowed hard. Just the way he said my name melted me into a puddle on the floor. “Hi, Z. A little strange seeing you here.”
“Is it?” He asked as he sauntered towards me, his strides confident yet casual. “Can a guy not get a Christmas photo shoot done?”
