Part of Max wasn’t sure about that, but the rest of him neverwanted Connor to let go. He needed the support, now more than ever.
“Really,” Kelsey said. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but peoplelove a sad story. It’ll make them feel good about you two finding each other.”
Max turned that thought over in his head. He wasn’t sure he likedit, but if it helped Zoe…
Anything to help Zoe. That was what he’d promised himself. Lessthan that wasn’t good enough.
“I’ll send you the details,” Max promised, squeezing Connor’shand. His heart fluttered as Connor squeezed back, a lump forming in histhroat.
It’d been a while since he’d had someone he thought of as afriend. Connor made him happier than he’d been in a long time.
“I think I’ve got everything I need,” Kelsey said, flickingthrough the photos on her camera. “And you’ve just given me my angle for yourprofile, so… unless you guys have any questions, I can leave you to the rest ofyour day.”
“That’s it?” Max said, surprised.
“Told you it’d be quick and painless,” Kelsey said, beaming at him.She was really pretty, with a mass of dark curls framing her face, making herdark eyes pop against equally dark skin. Max was just now relaxing enough toeven notice. “Nothing like school photo day.”
Max chuckled. “Yeah, nothing like school photo day.”
He’d never kissed another man on school photo day. He would’veremembered that.
“I like your ring, by the way. Connor here has great taste.”
Max looked down at the simple silver band with the tiny turquoisestone Connor had given him this morning. He was almost used to it already, theadjustable back making it comfortable to work in.
He liked it, too. Connor had said it matched his eyes, though Maxwasn’t sure his hand was close enough to his eyes for that to matter.
Either way, it was cute, and he didn’t mind wearing it while theydid this.
“He picked me, so he’d have to have,” Max said, grinning. Connornudged him with his shoulder, but he was already laughing.
“Weird, I remember you asking me to marry you,” Connor said. “Soyou picked me.”
“You two are adorable,” Kelsey responded, shoving her camera inher huge backpack and starting to fold the tripod up. “I don’t say this toevery couple, but I’d like to see you win. You’re our first gay couple to evenget in. It’s about time one of us won something.”
“You’re gay?” Max asked without thinking first. He had no reasonto think she wasn’t, but no reason to think shewas, either.
“Bi, but close enough.” Kelsey smiled. “My wife is a reallesbian.”
Connor laughed at that, giving Max space to process and try not tobeat himself up for the stupid question.
“Do you have a picture?” Connor asked. “Of your wife, I mean.”
Kelsey grinned, taking her phone out of her pocket and turning itaround for Connor to see the lock screen. On it was a picture of what lookedlike their wedding day.
They looked so damnedhappythat Max couldn’t help smiling.
“You’re adorable,” Connor said. “I hope we look that good when weget married. How long ago was that?”
“Little over three months,” Kelsey said. “I’m still glowing.”
“You are,” Max said, in awe of the way Kelsey’s face lit up whenshe talked about her wife.
He’d never felt like that about anyone, but he wanted to someday.
Kelsey grinned, strapping her tripod to the side of her backpack.“I’ll let you guys go. Thanks for being awesome.”
“Thankyoufor being awesome,” Connor said letting go ofMax’s hand before, standing and heading for the door.
