The door to the café swung wide and Edie rustled through, her short red hair a mess of curls around her face as the forceful wind swept her inside. The box hugged to her chest looked cumbersome, and for a split second, Camille almost regretted selecting such a large photo album. But it was her wedding, after all. And Edie was a phenomenal photographer. It had been an impossible task to narrow down the images, and in the end, Camille opted for the largest package available. She needed them all. Every last one.
“Is that what I think it is?” Camille stood from the table to take the big picture book from her friend, making grabby hands.
“All five-hundred and fifty images.” Edie collapsed into a chair with a huff after passing off the bulky wedding album. “I hope you didn’t order all of these images out of fear of hurting my feelings.”
“Oh, Edie. We’ve been friends long enough that you should know I’m not worried about hurt feelings.” Camille gave her friend a smirk. “Seriously. I’m in love with each and every shot.”
“Maybe it’s more that you’re in love with the man in each in every shot.”
“That too.”
She set the leather album directly in front of her on the table and cracked the spine. Instantly, the first photograph drew tears to her eyes. Yes, Edie was absolutely right. It was the subject in each picture that caused her heart to swell so fully, her ribs almost ached.
Foster was handsome, but that wasn’t it, even though Edie had captured his good looks perfectly. It was his expression. The look of adoration that sparkled in his eyes like the sun catching a cresting wave. A glimmer of devotion. Awe. Absolute love.
Though she’d been married before, Mark never looked at Camille that way, even on their best days. That didn’t bother her anymore. She used to mourn the fact that she’d stayed in a loveless marriage for so long, and during the prime of her life, some might argue. She grieved all the years wasted on a man who couldn’t remain faithful to the vows they exchanged as college graduates.
She’d stopped that nonsense the moment she met Foster. He somehow made swearing off men seem like the greatest misjudgment of Camille’s adult life. It was still unfathomable to her that one good man could completely change her view on relationships and love. Even change her outlook on life in general. Where she once only felt despair and frustration, Foster managed to turn everything into hope, like righting the rudder on an off-course ship.
Honestly, before Foster, Camille had assumed she’d be content with her perpetual singlehood. And she was, for the most part. But the way this man made her feel—protected, cherished, worthy—that was something she wanted in her life…permanently.
Saying ‘I do’ at a sunset wedding in front of her dearest friends and family was as close to a fairytale as Camille would ever get. And waking up beside Foster each morning since was her sweetest happily-ever-after.
And this book. Thisbookwas a masterpiece.
Each page took her back to that precious day. She could feel the cool ocean air caressing her shoulders again. Sense the spray from the waves that seemed to roar and crash in an echo of cheer and celebration. Edie was a master behind that lens, and these images were the perfect representation of that storybook moment.
“Are you crying?” Edie blinked at Camille from behind her wine glass.
“I’m overwhelmed.” Without looking up, Camille browsed through the entire album, sinking deeper into each memory with every turn of the page. “You’ve given me the gift of reliving the best day of my life. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this.”
“They’re only photographs.” Edie tried her best at remaining humble, but there was no need. Her work was unparalleled. She deserved to bask in that praise.
“You and I both know they’re more than that,” Camille challenged.
“I’m just glad I could do this for you. Capture the best day of your life with my camera.”
“It’s what we do, the three of us. Share our sweetest moments.”
Edie took a slow sip of her wine, pausing. “Are you ready for this next one?”
Camille moved the album to the side and returned to her own glass of chardonnay. “Not entirely sure. There’s a reason I’m a half bottle deep already.”
Before the two could converse further, Tabitha finally strode through the door, teal scrubs adorning her body, an exhausted expression downturning her features.
“Sorry I’m so late.” She took the remaining seat at the table with the other women. “Surgery ran long.”
“How did it go?” Camille dared to ask.
“Fine, in the end. But there were a few surprises we weren’t prepared for,” Tabitha said in a rush. “And you know how I feel about surprises.”
Camille and Edie shared a look across the table.
It was too late to change course now. Casey and Hannah had already set things in motion, and even as Camille brainstormed ways to lessen the shock of it all, their waitress was making her way to their table, menus in hand. It was go time.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” The server passed Camille and Edie their menus first, then moved to hand one off to Tabitha.
“Oh, I don’t need it. I already know what I’d like to order.”
