“Alright,” Sadie says, hands on her hips as she examines the sky. “Devon, could you move the car so it’s facing the sunset?”
“Sure thing,” he says as he steps away from me, and he repositions the car until she gives him a thumbs up.
“Both of you in the back seat,” Sadie commands, and I follow Devon to sit on the bench. “Aaron, put your arm across his shoulders. Devon, sit a little taller so I can see your face around those muscles.”
I chuckle as we both get into position. Sadie stands behind the car, with her camera low on the trunk. I imagine we’re mostly silhouettes with the sun setting beyond us.
“This will be our last set,” she says as she pulls her face away from the camera to meet our eyes. “Do whatever you’re comfortable with. Pretend I’m not here, and just act natural.”
“Natural,” Devon repeats with a scoff. “I’m so awkward. I don’t know how to be natural.”
“You aren’t awkward,” I argue, and he levels me with a skeptical glance. “You aren’t! Aside from our, uh, unfortunate initial meeting… and the improper accusations that came afterwards… okay,andthe colorful names you called me…” I grunt as he knocks me with his elbow, then grin wider. “You’ve been…”
“Awkward,” he mumbles.
“Sweet,” I correct, and his eyes flick to mine as I run my fingers through the hair on the nape of his neck. “You’re sweet, Dev.”
His throat moves in a swallow as he fidgets with his skirt again. “You’ve made today really fun. I was nervous on the way, but this has turned out to be a lot more enjoyable than I expected.”
“Why’d you sign up if you didn’t think you’d enjoy it?”
He shrugs. “The idea was great… a way to celebrate these things in my life. My Gramps and my identity. It was my middle finger to the world’s stupid standards and expectations, you know? If I want to put a skirt on and take pretty pictures with a hottie, then I should be able to do it without second-guessing myself. I shouldn’t need society’s permission to be my authentic self.”
“Hottie, huh?” I ask.
He shakes his head with a groan. “That’swhat you took from that?”
I shrug, staring at his profile as he looks forward. “I like the authentic you. The rest is just noise.” My thumb drifts through his hair again, and he pushes out a heavy exhale as he tilts his body towards me. “We’re supposed to be acting natural.”
“Yeah,” he agrees as his eyes flick down to my mouth. “What, uh… what feels natural right now?”
“Well,” I say, drawing out the word. “This has kind of been a date. Agooddate, if you ask me, and we’ve ended up in the back seat...”
He snorts and rolls his eyes as his cheeks turn pink.
“Would it be too forward to say I want to kiss you?”
He glances at the lens behind us as he nibbles on his lower lip. “In front of the camera?”
“I’ll be honest, Dev,” I say as I scoot closer. “This photo shoot will probably be done in fifteen minutes and we’ll be alone… but I’m kind of tired of waiting. How many people get to have their first kiss captured?”
“First kiss implies there will be more to follow.”
I grin as I tilt my head and inch nearer, and he mimics my motion until we’re breathing the same air. “You read my mind, pretty boy.”
“Don’t call me that,” he whispers, and I chuckle as we meet in the middle. The kiss is sweet and tentative. Testing the waters and comparing the reality to the fantasy that’s been building in our heads this whole time. It’s gentle pressure and warm breaths, closed eyes and far, far too short.
Devon pulls away, but he doesn’t go far. His lips are slightly parted as his gorgeous blue eyes open, and we stare at each other for a few heartbeats before he grabs my shirt and yanks me back to him. I smile against his kiss and give him more this time.
More pressure.
More fingers laced through his hair.
Moresounds,pouring from his throat and mine.
The soft whir of the camera shutting down pulls me from the moment, but Devon grips my shirt harder then lingers there for a few seconds longer. When his eyes creep open, they’re questioning, but I give him a relaxed smile as we separate.
“Wow,” I whisper, and his tongue swipes between his lips, like he’s gathering the last taste of me that remains.
