If you’re free tomorrow evening, I’d really like to do dinner with you after my shoot. I’ll be finished by four. Let me know x
The world stopped moving for a second, and her wine glass stilled in her hand. She read the message again, then again, and finally a fourth time, just to be sure she hadn’t imagined it. The littlexat the end undid her completely.
Jo wanted dinner.
Jo…waschoosing her.
Amelia sat back slowly against the cushions, her phone clutched in both hands. She wanted to reply immediately. She wanted to reply with something along the lines of‘God, yes, ofcourse. I’ll cancel everything, I’ll cook, I’ll buy wine, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go’,but she knew she couldn’t.
Because this was nothing more than dinner between two people.
So, she had to play it cool and keep it neutral. This thing between them… Itcouldn’tflare into something more.
Still, her fingers trembled slightly as she typed out a response.
That sounds lovely. Just tell me when and where and I’ll be there.
No kisses at the end. No gushing enthusiasm. Just calm, casual, and friendly.
But then her chest tightened as she set her phone aside. Because she knew it would never feel that simple with Jo ever again.
She wasn’t Lia tonight. She was herself. And Jo was choosing her.
As Amelia swallowed, she realised that changed everything.
Chapter Eleven
Jo adjustedthe light stand for the third time and stepped back to check the shadows against the brick wall she’d chosen as the backdrop. It helped that the late-afternoon sun had slanted through the tall windows of the studio space, casting flattering highlights across her client’s soft curls.
Malandra had arrived on time, full of charisma and ease, dressed in a burnt orange jumpsuit and cream sandals. She looked every bit the confident, modern-day self-help guru she marketed herself as—a blend of approachable wisdom and undeniable presence. Perfect for the website she was about to launch.
Jo, on the other hand, felt anything but composed.
She shifted the camera strap across her shoulder and offered a tight smile. “Okay, I want to get a few more headshots before we move to the lounge setup. You doing alright?”
“More than alright,” Malandra said as she tucked a curl behind her ear. “You’re good at this. I’ve never felt so relaxed having my picture taken.”
“Good,” Jo replied with a smile as she checked her focus. “That’s the goal.”
They moved through a few more shots—shoulders turned slightly, a softer expression, chin a little higher—and Jo fell into the rhythm of it all. Photography had always calmed her and given her something to focus on that wasn’t herself. But today, even the lens couldn’t distract her for long.
Her mind kept drifting to the message that had come through last night while she was at Satin. To the dinner plans waiting for her just a few hours away. To…Amelia.
“I hope I’m not overstepping,” Malandra said during a pause, brushing out any creases from her jumpsuit. “But…are you seeing anyone at the moment?”
Jo’s brows lifted.
“Sorry.” Malandra laughed. “I always ask people questions like that. It’s the therapist in me. Or maybe just the nosy bitch in me.”
Jo smiled as she lowered her camera. “I guess the honest answer is…it’s complicated.”
“That usually means one of two things.” Malandra tilted her head, curiosity settling in her eyes. “Either someone was involved, or someone’sstillinvolved, and you’re not sure what to do about it.”
Jo hesitated. “Something like that.” She didn’t owe this woman anything personal, but somehow it was easier talking to a stranger. Malandra wasn’t part of her world. She didn’t know about Callum or the tangled, aching truth of Amelia. She also didn’t know about Lia. “Let’s just say I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately…and not much sleeping.”
Malandra smiled. “It sounds to me like your heart is being pulled in different directions.”
“Yeah.” Jo looked back at her client, surprised by the accuracy. “Exactly that.”
