Eleven
The next morningI rolled over to find that I was alone in my bed. A sinking feeling started to creep into the pit of my stomach as I heard my front door slam shut. I grabbed my robe from the floor and made my way into the living room to see Finn setting coffee and a bag of bagels on the dining room table.
“Morning, love.” He made his way over to me, planting a kiss on my forehead. “I took Dozer on a little stroll and grabbed breakfast on the way back.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
He handed me my favorite coffee. “I know. I wanted to.”
We sat down for our breakfast, Dozer chomping on his rawhide in the living room.
“When is your next shoot?” Finn looked across the table at me.
“Actually, today at your hotel.”
“Brilliant, I’m working at noon.”
I took the last sip of my coffee. “I have to be there at four.”
“Hopefully I’ll be able to see you, as long as we’re not too busy.”
“Will I see you after?”
“You’re not getting away from me that easily, not after last night.” He winked and I blushed.
“Good.”
* * *
The large ballroomwas packed with excited guests as they filed into the rows, awaiting the ceremony. I was busy snapping candid shots of everyone while my partner for the day was off with the bride doing her first look shots with her dad. Usually that was my favorite part, but I had been brought onto this shoot last minute because the original second photographer had broken his hand in a rollerblading accident while I was in Nashville. So, I didn’t have much say in what I did, I was just along for the ride.
An all too familiar voice broke my concentration and I got rigid. “Joey? Is that you?”
I turned around and, to my horror, saw Seth standing there in an expensive suit, without his wife on his arm or a ring on his finger. “Where’s the wife and baby, Seth?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, taking a step closer. “She left me,” he whispered.
Shocker.
“Good for her. Now if you would excuse me.”
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’m working.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Alright.”
Thankfully, he took his seat—right next to where I was standing, but at least I could move away from him, which I did in a heartbeat.
The night rolled into the reception. Finn must have been really busy because he hadn’t made his way into the ballroom to check on things like he had planned.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Seth standing next to the bartender, staring at me while he sipped on his martini.
“I’m going to run to the restroom.” I looked over at my partner for the evening. She gave me a quick nod and I bolted to get a little bit of privacy. I heard the door close behind me as I came face to face with a sloshed Seth. He was standing inches from me, his hand wrapped around my wrist.
“You’re so pretty,” he slurred.
“You smell like a bar. Leave me the fuck alone.”
