She’s still singing the same tune when Brett’s Jeep pulls up in front of my house on Saturday morning. It’s an insanely hot day, so I’m dressed in a pink tank top and a pair of shorts.
Brett jumps out and helps me stuff my things in the back, and then I climb in and face Luke, who is wearing the most amused expression on his face. Honestly, I kind of want to slap it.
“Morning,” he says. His lips are almost brushing mine before I remember our audience. The audience we’re not going to be able to shake for the next twenty-four hours. Freaking hell.
His lips linger on mine even a moment after the kiss is over, our faces pressed together, eyes evaluating each other. When Willow clears her throat, I jerk my head back.
“Okay, so as y’all know, this trip is for my vlog, so I’m going to be recording most of it,” she says. “I know being on camera is not Jessi’s favorite thing, but this is a special occasion. Are you guys willing to be in the video, or do I have to, like, spend forever editing out everything that has you in it and look like a friendless jerk?”
“Hey, I’ll be in it,” Brett says.
“My viewers already know you,” Willow says, patting his knee. “I’m talkingotherfriends.”
Luke looks at me. “I’m in if you are.”
Sure, make me look like the bad guy.
“Yeah, I’m not really comfortable being in it,” I say.
Willow sighs.
“Why not?” Brett asks.
“All my fans are super nice,” Willow says. “Not like those internet trolls you always see in the comments section.”
“That’s not it,” I say.
“So what’s the problem?” Willow asks.
I glare at her to convey that I do not appreciate them ganging up on me, but she blinks cluelessly at me. There’s this vulnerability that comes with being on the other side of a camera. It feels like, through a lens, people get to see much more than they ordinarily can. More thanIwant them to see.
“I’m camera shy,” I say.
“Bullshit,” Luke says. Everybody turns to look him, and he shrugs. “I’m sorry, but bullshit.”
“I’mshyshy,” I say, making him the sole focus of my glaring now.
“Bullshit,” he says again, looking me right in the eye.
“I’m in the witness protection program.”
One corner of his lips twitches up in a smile. “Bull. Shit.”
“Please, Jessi?” Willow says now. “Honestly, I’ll edit you out as much as possible, but it’s just much less work if I’mallowedto feature you a little bit.”
Everyone is silent for a minute, watching me, and it’s completely unfair the way all this is going. I know they’re thinking I’m the most uptight person on the planet, and maybe I am, but ...
“Fine,” I say at last. “Literally as little of me as possible.”
“Yay!” Willow squeals, and claps her hands together. Within seconds she’s dug out her camera and is recording. Thankfully, Luke is the one directly behind her, not me.
“Hi, Lo Downers, it’s me, Willow. So, thanks to you guys, I’m doing something I’ve never done before. I’m going camping!
“But I’m not going alone. I’m taking my friends ... Luke.” She swings the camera around to face him, and he gives it a dazzling smile. I’m shaking my head frantically at Willow—she never said anything about introductions—when she points the camera at me. I immediately stiffen and shoot the camera a helpless look. Completely charming.
Not.
“Jessi, say hi!” Willow says.
