Bailey was fine. She was still bent over the woman on the ground, who now held Harper in her arms and had pulled the dragon hood down and was petting her head, and getting her face bathed by doggy tongue in payment.
I glanced back at the woman. “Oh, no. This was just a fun photo shoot. With my niece. We’re having a fun day today.”
Her face fell a bit.
“You’re familiar with my work?” I’d been noticed on the street before, but the times were few and far between. Enough that it always took me off guard.
The woman’s eyes lit up again. “I just read about you in some article on Facebook yesterday. I’d never heard of you before then. But I checked out your website. I absolutely love your photography!”
“Well, thank you. I’m so glad you do.” I checked on Bailey once more before looking back at the woman.
“You’re even more handsome in person.” Her cheeks flushed and she dug in her purse, then pulled out a card. “Here. This is me. Give me a call sometime.”
I took the card, glancing at it.Claire Hostetler. Substitute Teacher.“Oh, are you looking to have a photo shoot?”
Her brows knitted. “Um, no? I don’t think so. I just meant, if you ever want to get a drink. Or something.”
I stared at her, trying to catch up.
Her cheeks blossomed from pink to bright red. “Well, I didn’t want to disturb you. It was a pleasure meeting you, Randall. I’ll look forward to your call.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and hurried away, giving a little wave over her shoulder.
I looked down at the card again.Get a drink?I flinched as the puzzle pieces snapped together. I looked back in her direction once more, but the crowd had enveloped her.
I’d just been hit on. By a woman. By a fan. Apparently.
Whoa.
I was going to have to let my agent know her plan was working. I’d always avoided putting my photo on my website, but Cherie insisted over the past couple of weeks that I start plastering my face everywhere. She’d even arranged a couple of interviews. She was adamant I needed to up my social media presence and take advantage of my looks. She scoffed when I said I wasn’t photogenic enough to do any good.
It was actually Noah who pushed me to follow her advice. He insisted I was gorgeous and it wasn’t cheating to use our looks to our advantage. He was using his to help homeless pets. I could use mine to help launch my career.
Apparently it was working. Baby-faced or not.
Proving I wasn’t half the uncle I claimed to be, I looked down when Bailey tugged on my arm, rather shocked to see her and all three dogs standing there. “You ready to go, huh?”
She shook her head. “No. Can we get donuts or something?”
“Sure. You’re hungry?”
Bailey gave me a withering look. “No. For Susan.”
“Who’s Susan?”
She stared at me.
I glanced behind her at the woman, still lying on the ground, watching us with tired eyes. “Oh. Susan.” I looked back at Bailey. “You want to get her donuts?”
“Yeah. Please.” The pleading look on her face wasn’t that of a little kid manipulating to get a toy, but one of genuine concern. “She’s hungry, and I thought maybe we could get donuts for her and some of her friends.”
I reached out and stroked my thumb over Bailey’s cheek. “You really are magic. You know that?”
She ignored the comment. “Can we?”
“Of course we can, love.”
Chapter Thirteen
“HOLY SHIT,that’s amazing.”
