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“I’m joking,” he says. “We need to go fast through the rapids.”
“Okay, I’ve changed my mind.”
He smiles at me. He knows I don’t mean it. I want to spend time with him.
It gives me pause to realize how much.
19
Got any photographer friends?Itext Étienne a few days later.
Lise, he replies within seconds, following it up with:She used to be a wedding photographer.
No shit.Don’t suppose she’s free on Thursday afternoon?
She can be if I cover for her. Why?he asks.
We’re taking down hoarding from the pavilion. I’d love someone to document the different stages of the restoration. I also want to get some shots of the buvette—Albert’s agreed to do it up!
I’m bursting with pride as I write this last sentence. I asked Albert this morning after showing him pictures of the Source Cachat in Évian-les-Bains. It’s beautiful—very Instagrammable—with a colorful floral mosaic on the wall.
My phone buzzes with Lise’s contact details.
I wait for a bit, but Étienne doesn’t follow up with another message.
I feel a bit dejected as I type back:Thanks.
“What was that sigh for?” Jackson asks from behind me.
“It’s nothing,” I reply distractedly.
“Everything all right?”
I jump as my phone buzzes again.She’s available. Just let us know the time.
“Awesome!” I say out loud.
“What?” Jackson asks.
“Étienne’s friend Lise is a photographer. We’re all sorted for Thursday.”
I can’t thank you enough, I reply, feeling a wave of gratitude. He shared Lise’s details and still went on to contact her on my behalf. I’d thought he was wiping his hands of it for a minute.Would three o’clock work? Shall I come to La Terrasse?
Yep,he replies.I’ll be there to take over.
Thank you again, I write back.I’ll message her direct about her day rate.
He sends me a thumbs-up emoji.
“How’s it going with him?”
Jackson’s question makes me freeze.
“Good,” I reply crisply.
“Hey,” he says after a moment, prompting me to spin back around. “What are you doing on Saturday?”
“It’s the Fourth of July. I assume we’re getting tanked and setting off fireworks from the balcony.”
