Turning sharply away from the wall I’m considering tearing down, I gasp, “What infestation?”
“Mouse. But don’t worry, that’s all been taken care of. The exterminator came last week.”
“Good.” I turn around again and try to imagine what it would be like to see directly into my store from here. “You’re sure I can remove the wall?”
Pulling the contract out of her purse, Anna tells me, “As long as you sign a three-year lease. If you break it earlier, you’ll have to put the wall back up at your own expense.”
I nod my head up and down—wait for it—five times. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Anna smiles excitedly. “You won’t regret it, Finley. I’m thinking you can use this side of your business for boudoir shots and keep the rest as is for your primary business.” Little does she know the boudoir shots have become so popular they’re now my main source of income. Yet she’s got a point. If I keep the rooms separate I won’t make the families who come in nervous when they see sexier staging. Plus, then I’ll only have to add a doorway.
Taking the pen handed to me, I walk over to the Tiny Tots counter and sign at the X. I give the contract back to my realtor. “Thanks for negotiating this for me, Anna. I feel a lot better about the new terms.” They previously wanted a five-year lease.
“It’s my pleasure.” She hands me a set of keys. “You’ll want to change the locks.”
“I’ll invite you to the grand opening once I’m up and running,” I tell her. “In the meantime, I want to do a nice family picture for you as a thank you.”
“I won’t say no to that.” Patting her slightly rounded stomach, she adds, “But let’s wait until baby two arrives, okay?”
“It’s a deal,” I tell her.
Anna is besties with Faith, who owns the bakery down the street. They’ve been tight since childhood, and every time I see them together I feel a pang of envy. I can’t imagine how cool it must be to have a friend who’s known you for your whole life. Allie is pretty much my only friend in town, and we’ve only been hanging out for a few months. Having said that, I have high hopes one day she and I will be as close as Faith and Anna.
“I’ve got an appointment at ten,” I tell Anna, “I’d better get moving.”
Waving my contract in the air, she replies, “I’ll drop this off with the landlord. And congratulations again, Finley. This is going to be a great move for you.”
After walking out the front door, I lock up before speed walking next door to Happy Snaps. I’ve lived in Elk Lake for three years and have had my shop for nearly that long. I spend more conscious hours here than I do at my apartment. As such, I’ve made a real effort to make it as comfortable and homey as possible.
As soon as I enter, I notice a man sitting on one of the two overstuffed shabby-chic chairs by the window. He looks up and makes direct eye contact, which causes every thought in my brain to pour out like sand in a sieve.Holy Hot Stuff, Batman. This man is extraordinarily handsome, but his appeal is more than just physical. He emanates a kind of golden energy that’s positively intoxicating.
“Hi there.” As soon as he stands up, I can feel the room start to sway. I stagger to the counter so I don’t fall over. He’s well over six feet and from what I can tell he’s built like he spends hours at the gym every day.
“H … h … hi, yourself. Thomas Culpepper?” I ask, both hoping he is and isn’t at the same time. How in the world will I be able to take sexy pictures of this man and keep my wits about me? I can’t even look at him fully clothed without stuttering.
“That’s me.” He flashes a brilliant smile which makes me wonder if he’s ever starred in toothpaste commercials. His hair is the softest looking wavy chocolate brown I’ve ever seen. My hand lifts of its own accord like it’s trying to reach out and touch it. Which of course I know I can’t do. At least until it’s time for me to style his hair for the shoot. I practically drool at the thought.
Thomas looks at my hand suspended in mid-air before copying the gesture and waving at me. “Hel-lo.” He breaks theword into two syllables like I’m new to the English language and might not understand otherwise.
I drop my hand immediately and try to regain my composure. “Constance is very excited about these shots.”
“Really?” He looks confused.
“Really,” I assure him. “She’s ordered the basic package to start, but if she likes what she sees …” In lieu of finishing my sentence, I give him an exaggerated wink.
“I didn’t realize this was such a big deal to her,” he says.
“Oh, it is. Averybig deal.”
Thomas’s hazel eyes narrow in confusion before he bends down to pick up the bag he brought with him. “I brought some different shirts.”
“Oh, we won’t need shirts.” There’s no way I’m covering up this man in unnecessary clothing.No way.Unless of course it’s a pirate shirt, wide open and billowing in the wind. Lucky for him, I have such an item in my costume collection.
Thomas’s gorgeous brow furrows, drawing my attention to the golden flecks in his eyes. “I brought a doctor’s coat too, if you prefer that.”
“A doctor’s coat?” I love the idea of turning him into a sexy doctor. It’s decided then—we’ll do a pirate look and a doctor one. Constance is going tolovethese.
Motioning to Thomas, I tell him, “Follow me into the backroom and you can get ready there.”
