Page 36 of The Longest Wait

“I’m going to shoot straight with you,” Maris stated, as if sheever spoke another way. “You’re losing your touch.”

Alex walked around his apartment, pacing as the annoyancedripped off him. “Then give me a real assignment, not somethingan intern could do. Actually, I did something similar to my lastassignment when I started ten years ago. I need something fresh.Something groundbreaking to shoot.”

“Is that what you expect? After you half-assed your last job?”

Her brash comment stopped him.

Maria continued, “Alex, you’re good. Anyone will look at thespread and congratulate you on your photos. You and I however,we know the truth. There is no heart in the photos. What you usedto capture isn’t there.”

Her words were like a blow to the head.

“I want you on my team, but I’m concerned you don’t.”

“This is my career,” he shot back. “Because I take one bad setof photos, you think I don’t want to be here?”

“To be frank, I’m not putting you on something more robustwhen you’re struggling to capture emotion on even the most conservative shoots. Ever since the unfortunate experience you andMalcolm went through, I’m worried that you lost your enthusiasmfor this.”

Alex didn’t speak while she continued on her expectations ofhim on the job, along with what his future assignments were targeted to cover. She wanted him to get his feet back on the ground,but he wasn’t sure how.

Maybe he did lose his enthusiasm. Getting knifed had thattype of effect on someone.

By the time he got off the phone, Alex was exhausted. He stillhad his job, but it came with strings attached. He had to lock itup and deliver the work like he used to because his current photographs weren’t up to par.

It bothered him that he lost his touch. Ever since the attack, hiswork was knocked down on the priority list. Yes, he loved travelingthe world and capturing what he could on camera, but it didn’t takeprecedence like it used to. He needed something more.There was something else taking priority and it was Sofia.

Despite her repeatedly saying they didn’t have a date, she waswrong. Their night together had been a date, no matter how shewanted to look at it. She was stuck on forcing them into thisbullshit purgatory stage of friendship. They both knew it wasridiculous. Alex was determined to find a way out of it.

Chapter 11

ten Years ago

“I HATE I’m traveling right now. Not only am I missing Fourth ofJuly parties, but I’m leaving you by yourself at my house. I can’t believemy parents left you there alone. Are you sure you’re okay?” There wasworry in Lucy’s voice because Sofia had to spend a holiday weekendfilled with patriotic fireworks and BBQ parties galore by herself.

Sofia laughed off the concern. “Seriously, I’m fine.”

“I guess you aren’t technically alone.” Lucy sounded dismayed.

“Alex is home.”

This made Sofia choke on her water. “You’re kidding, right?”The entire summer, Alex was hardly ever home. When he was,

it was like he was on a private mission to ignore her. Well, missionaccomplished because her plan for Alex to see her as an adult went tothe wayside. When he did see her, and he was somehow forced intoconversation with her, it was short and sweet. And always finishedwith him calling her kid.

Lucy paused, in effort to market her brother being home as a goodthing, which wasn’t an easy task. “On the bright side, Alex has friendsin the area. I bet you could tag along with whatever he’s doing. Youlove going to parties, I bet this will end up being your best Fourth ofJuly yet.”

She rolled her bright blue eyes. “Sure, because he has rolled outthe welcome wagon for me ever since I moved in this summer,” sheresponded sarcastically.

Lucy was typing away while she spoke, “You know how Alex is,you and Tess are like extra little sisters to him. Teasing is how he showshis love, trust me.”

They talked for another ten minutes about Lucy’s work trip beforethey get off the phone. When Sofia hung up, she had a nagging thoughtabout Alex. All through college, four long years, Sofia had concealed amassive crush on Lucy’s older brother. Four. Frigging. Years. Now, shehad the man in close proximity, and she was letting him call the shots.Shots that were of the snub each other variety. She was taking Lucy’sadvice, and she was going to see what his Fourth of July plans were.

She looked out her bedroom window and saw Alex standing in thepool, with his back facing the sun while he read a book with a beerresting on the deck next to him. Sofia pulled out her skimpiest bikiniand headed out to the pool. He seemed relaxed lounging in the pool,and she was ready to swoop in.

It was time for Alex to realize she wasn’t a little kid anymore.

NOTHING WAS BETTER then relaxing in the pool at his parents’house. Alex hadn’t exactly moved out yet because his career in photography had him traveling constantly. It was comforting to have a homebase after long assignments. His colleagues told him once he got usedto the relentless movement of the job, he would settle down. While itsounded counterintuitive, it made sense to him.

Alex took a sip of his beer before flipping to the next page of hisJames Patterson book. He took in a deep breath, allowing himself tolet his stress dissipate as he let air out. He loved being a photographer,and he landed his dream job at National Geographic a year ago. Hewas still considered a newbie, so his assignments were grueling and,more accurately to say, less than desired. He just turned twenty-seven,and he was ready to put in the work to get the better stories, but thetime off between assignments was needed.