Page 23 of Enchanted

I grunted but did as he asked. I wouldn’t argue, even if he weren’t doing me a massive favour. This had been his idea in the first place—a way for Ethan and me to spend time together that appeared completely coincidental.

It had all started when Nate happened across Ethan’s website advertising his photography services. Nate said it was only a couple of days old, which seemed odd. Why did he need to advertise? His work was exquisite. Noah had said so. Whatever the reasoning was, it worked perfectly for us. Sam, being an author PA and cover designer, had had the genius idea of hiring Ethan for a photo shoot.

I smiled as I thought about the email it had taken several hours and all of us to craft.

Hi Ethan,

My name is Sam Clark, and I’m a cover designer for romance authors. I came across your website, and I have to say, I’m extremely impressed by your work.

I have a slightly unusual request. I have a shoot arranged in three days. One of my authors wants photos of a particular model for their next cover. However, the photographer I hired has unfortunately had to pull out due to a family emergency.

I know portrait work isn’t your usual forte, but I’m really in a quandary. This shoot was extremely difficult to set up due to the model’s schedule, and I’m loath to cancel the booking.

Is there any chance you have availability to step in? I’ll happily pay double your usual rate as it’s such short notice. I understand you’re based in Clapham. The shoot is taking place in a country home in Kensington, and I will of course send a driver to bring you to and from the destination. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to take a taxi, I can reimburse you.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes

Sam

I tried not to think of how many lies we’d told. I concentrated on getting Ethan here, and safely. I’d added in the offer of a lift after remembering that Ethan had been waiting to be picked up. My instincts told me there was a reason for that.

It’d been a risk to only give one date. If Ethan couldn’t make it, we were fucked. But Sam had reassured me that we’d figure something out. After eyeing Ez for a long moment, he’d decided it was better to have it happen sooner rather than later. “We all know you angels get a little…unpredictable when it comes to your mates. Best we get the wheels in motion as fast as possible.”

He wasn’t wrong there.

“Keep breathing,” Sam reminded me, checking the time. “He’s on his way.”

I inhaled and exhaled out of politeness. I could go a long time without breathing. But Sam was doing me a huge favour. If this went well, I’d do whatever he told me to do for the rest of eternity.

My mind drifted away from the present once more, this time recalling the response we’d got from Ethan, sixty-seven nail biting minutes later.

Hi Sam

Thank you for reaching out and for your compliments regarding my photos. You’re right that portrait work isn’t what I usually do, but I have done it in the past. I’d be happy to provide some portfolio shots if you’d like?

I have an opening in my schedule and would be delighted to fill in for this shoot. Do you have a particular vibe in mind? What genre is the book? Are there any props you’d like me to bring along?

Thank you for your kind offer, but there’s no need to send a driver. I’m happy to take the bus. You also don’t need to pay me double; my usual fee will suffice.

I’ve attached a copy of my contract. Please let me know if you’d like any of these terms changed and we can discuss it.

Kind regards

Ethan Routliff

Oh, there were terms I wanted to change alright, namely regarding the fee. Sam had already scoffed at it, claiming that Ethan was charging well below market rate. Even doubling it only just pushed it over the line of what he deemed acceptable.

He’d been confident in arguing that point with Ethan, but not over him taking the public transport. I’d attempted to stand my ground, hating the thought of my mate on one of London’s buses. It’d taken Noah gently explaining that insisting otherwise would come across too strong and might scare him off to have me backing off.

It’d only been Nox’s idea that had me letting it go completely. “If you hit it off, you can offer to drive him home. Spend some extra time with him that way.”

I liked the idea of that enough to relent.

Thankfully, Sam had argued his case so politely that Ethan had accepted the higher rate without too much more of a quibble. He’d also sent over the portraits as Sam requested. Not that we needed to see them, obviously, but Sam had said it’d be weird not to ask.

They were as wonderful as his other work. My favourite was of an older couple, sat side by side on a bench, holding hands. They were caught in a moment of laughter, eyes only for each other, as the wind whipped through their hair.