“But if you two get married—”
He turns the radio up; thrashing punk music bleeds through the speakers. “Oh, you didn’t know?”
“What?” I’m practically yelling.
“I asked her a year ago and she turned me down.”
Excuse me? Caroline conveniently left that part out when she was talking about Blake. How does anyone turn a guy like this down?
We arrive at the restaurant. Blake pulls into a spot and says, “Hold on, let get me your door.”
I hop out quickly. When he meets me on the passenger side he says, “You’re not that type, huh?”
“I can get my own door, but I appreciate the gesture.”
“It’s refreshing,” he says quietly. “Hey, are you starving?” He’s looking across the street at something.
“I’m not going to pass out if I don’t eat right this second, but—”
“’Kay, great.” He goes back to the car, opens the door, and grabs a camera from the backseat.
“Wow,” I say, pulling a mini Pentax camera of my own from my purse. “Great minds.”
“I never leave home without it. You like taking pictures, Hayden?”
“I love art and design. I think it’s part of being a stylist, but photography is just a hobby for me.”
“Yeah, that’s what Caroline calls my photography, even though I went to college for it.” It’s impossible not to catch the disappointment in his voice.
“I’m sorry.”
“Forget it,” he says. “Let’s cross the street.” He grabs my hand. His hand is big and warm and I get a little chill down my spine from his touch.
“I love the way the light from that sign hits the asphalt,” I say.
Blake begins clicking the shutter. “These are great textures for what I do.”
“You do a type of multimedia thing, right?”
He stops and turns to look directly at me. “Yeah, whatever moves me in the moment. Hey, will you stand under that light and look in that direction?” He points.
“What?”
“Yeah, can I photograph you? Do you mind?”
“Um…okay.” I’m flattered but slightly uncomfortable about having my picture taken.
He immediately starts snapping away and after a few moments, I relax. “Tilt your head back a little, like you’re looking at something that’s mesmerizing.” Looking at him would be enough.
Blake finally stops clicking the shutter after what feels like forever. He pulls the camera away from his face, and with the slightest expression of wonder, he simply says, “Beautiful,” while he’s looking right at me.
“Okie dokie, Prince Charming,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
“No, I mean it. I’m not trying to be slimy. You’re a very attractive woman, that’s undeniable, but also you photograph really well, too.”
“Thank you” is all I can think to say. Aaaand there goes my breath.
“Let’s go get that bite. Caroline should be off soon.”
