Page 30 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

“Things are great. I’ve got a lot scheduled for the rest of the year.”

“And you’re still enjoying it?”

“Absolutely,” I answer without hesitation. How could I not be enjoying living my dream? Most days, it doesn’t even feel like a job to me. “It’s everything I thought it would be.”

He smiles at me. “I’m glad. Any important ladies in your life right now?”

I chuckle. If only he knew. “You trying to marry me off, Dad?”

“Ha, no. Just know what a catch you are and want to make sure the women of LA know what they’re missing out on.”

“I think you give me too much credit.” I can’t tell him that none of the women in LA compare to Summer, that everyone I’m with is just for the night because Summer is the one that has my heart, and she doesn’t even know it. I can’t tell him his son is fucking pathetic and has been pining over the same woman for the past ten years. “Most women are uncomfortable with me being around other beautiful women all the time, so it’s hard to get into a relationship. But you don’t have to worry about me. I’m definitely not lonely.”

He laughs. “That’s my boy.”

Thankfully, he drops the subject and looks into the jewelry cases. I wander around, looking through the glass. Jewelry isn’t really my thing, but some of this stuff is pretty. My feet stop moving when I spot a gold sun necklace. It reminds me of Summer. I can even picture her wearing it. But I know I can’t get it for her. Dad and Holden would question me, and, based on Summer’s reaction to waking up in my bed, she’d probably be weirded out if I gave her jewelry after one night together. She doesn’t know how long I’ve wanted her. She doesn’t know how much last night meant to me.

But it doesn’t stop me from snapping a picture of the necklace. Maybe I can come back and get it on my own. You know, just in case.

“What do you think about these?” We huddle around Dad as he points to a pair of pearl earrings. The pearls form a small flower.

“I think she’ll love them,” Holden says.

“Yeah, she will,” I chime in.

“It’s settled then.” Dad buys the earrings, and we head back to the resort to get ready for the sunset pictures Mom wanted. The least I could do for her was agree to take family pictures on the beach.

* * *

Summer isn’t in the room when I get back, so I quickly change into the beige linen pants and white shirt Mom specifically bought me for this event. I imagine Holden and my dad have the same outfit. Nothing says family pictures like cheesy matching outfits, but I’d wear a banana costume if it was what my mom wanted.

I grab my camera and tripod before heading to the beach, where I told everyone to meet. Sunset shots are tricky because you only have so much time to capture the images before it gets too dark.

Not surprisingly, I’m the first one there. I find the best spot with the least amount of people and figure out the best angle. When I turn, I see Summer walking down the steps of the resort in a light brown dress that hugs every curve of her body. She looks like a fucking vision.

“Hey, glad you’re here.” I usher her over and position her in the sand. “I need to take some test shots.”

“Oh, ok.” She looks around as a slight blush creeps up on her cheeks. “What do you want me to do?”

I chuckle. “Just be yourself, Sunshine. What would you do if I was taking pictures for your blog?” I know she’s comfortable in front of a camera, so it’s weird that she’s acting awkward right now. I imagine it’s because she doesn’t know how to act around me after last night.

“Alright.” She pops her hip out and puts her hand on it before looking at the ocean. Click, and I take the picture. She moves one of her hands to the top of her head. Click.

I don’t need these test pictures, but she doesn’t need to know that. I’d never pass up an opportunity to take Summer’s picture.

“Looking amazing, Sunshine.” She looks at me and smiles. Click. I just might hang that one up in my apartment.

“Starting without us?” I hear my dad ask as he comes up behind us.

“Just making sure this is a good spot.” I give him my lame excuse. “You guys ready?”

Mom, Holden, Carly, Denise and Robert walk up behind Dad in varying shades of white and sand brown. When Mom picks a theme, she doesn’t half-ass it. And if it means I get to see Summer in this fucking dress, you won’t see me complaining.

“Alright, Mom and Dad, we’ll start with you two.” They take Summer’s place, and she walks toward me and stops behind me.

I give my parents some direction, but it’s hard to focus when I can feel Summer’s eyes on me. I do my best to get through them without turning around and kissing the hell out of her. The next pictures are the family pictures with Holden and me.

“Sunshine, can you take these pictures?” I hand her my camera, but before I let go, I tell her, “Be careful with her. I don’t usually let other people touch my camera.” My cameras are important to me, and I’m very careful with them, but I trust Summer with my life. So, I’ll make an exception for her.