She’s rattling on as I look past her to the car that just arrived. Behind the wheel there’s a woman putting something on her lips.
Looks like someone getting ready for a date.
I figure things are clear as far as I’m concerned—as in I’m leaving—but if anything, it gets more confusing.
Anna starts preaching. “You see that girl? She’s young and beautiful and she’s been through hell. This was a blind date photo session her friends signed her up for to cheer her up, and you’re about to save the day.”
She’s serious.
I snort. “I ruin people’s days. Not save them.”
Chester Ward for example.
As if seeing me for the first time she scrunches her nose. “The vest has to go. But besides that you’re okay. Beauty and the beast vibes.”
My lip is snarling as I shake my head. “This cut goes to the grave with me. I don’t take it off.”
Her nose scrunches more but I’m hardly concerned. I’m interested in the parking lot. Or more specifically the woman that should be of zero interest to me at all.
But now the photographer’s story has got me curious.
What kind of hell has this girl been through?
I specialize in hell.
The car door opens and a blonde steps out. Ringlets catch sunlight. She looks around from behind sunglasses. Nervously biting her lip.
I’m staring, but don’t care.
She’s worth staring at. The woman’s curvy frame iswrapped in a light blue sundress the same color of summer sky.
That, and white cowboy boots with those round, girly sunglasses. She’s got girl next door written all over her.
She’s fidgeting with something in her hands.
A can of beer.
“Turn around! You’re not supposed to see her,” Cray-cray photographer gasps and I’m suddenly being shoved.
The only explanation for how the tiny woman spins me around is because I’ve been stunned by the eye-popping beauty of the blonde.
Good lawd.
“Don’t look,” Anna orders as she dashes off. She’s back with the flowers a few seconds later, smashing them against my chest. “You’ll figure it out as we go.”
Chapter Two
Okay.Okay. Okay. Just breathe. It’s only an hour. I’ll play along.
Afterward I can go somewhere nice and quiet with my sketchpad and some… wildflowers.
It’s the beginning of summer and they’re everywhere. Except here.
This park should feel like summer joy. Instead it feels like a frying pan.
I fidget with the beer. A can of Dos Equis seems like a weird gift, but the photographer gave me a list of things he loves. Cheese fries seemed like a bad choice for a photoshoot, so beer it is.
At least I have something to do with my hands.
