AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Asshole,” she growls loud enough for the whole street to hear, but I’ve already forgotten about her, making my way back inside to find Krystal.
And really start to wonder if something serious has happened to her real neighbor after all.
My coffee’s still warm but my Krystal feels a little cold when I ask her what’s wrong.
“Do a lot of interviewing at home?” she asks, not hiding her emotions at all.
I think I get what she means, but I can’t be sure.
After the morning we’ve shared so far I’m a little surprised Krystal would or even could think I’d have eyes for anyone but her.
“She told me she’s gonna be the next cover girl of your magazine,” she adds, scanning my face for a response.
But I’m still lost in thought about her missing neighbor.
“Oh. Her. Pfft.” I finally say. “Dime a dozen wannabes. Told her to post it to the office next time,” I add, realizing I’m still holding the folder which Krystal relieves me of, and starts to study.
“Not bad,” she remarks, which surprises me.
“The photography, I mean. Not the subject,” she confirms, setting the folder aside with a frown and I laugh to myself.
“Why don’t we get away?” I suggest. “Just the two of us. Away from this house. This street,” I tell her, feeling boxed in as well as at risk of the next lunatic that’s gonna ambush me in my quest to claim Krystal.
“Where did you have in mind?” she asks. “Didn’t you just get back from an overseas trip? You must have itchy feet,” she observes but seems interested in getting away.
“Wherever you want,” I tell her.
As long as it’s not my real house or the offices of Chord magazine. Or any place your dad’s lurking. Houston, wasn’t it?
I can’t take Krystal home. Not yet. I’ll have to tell her everything while we’re away. Then we can go home. Our real home.
Start fresh.
“Wasn’t there a hotel on top of that restaurant from last night?” she asks, her eyes filling with excitement again.
“A hotel,” I almost groan, until she quickly explains that like the restaurant, she’s never been to a fancy hotel.
“Only travel inns and campsite’s as a kid. The college dorm room. My own room here…” she drones, painting a picture for me and making up my mind.
A first-class hotel room doesn’t do much for me.
But the thought of a locked door with a ‘do not disturb’ sign on it and her naked in a king size bed?
That I could handle.
“Well, we could stay a night or two, maybe make some other plans while we’re there,” I suggest, noting the look of pleased anticipation returning to her eyes.
See? Getting us both out of here is the best idea. It’ll all work out for the best once we’re someplace else.
“Before we go anywhere though,” I tell her firmly, and her eyes meet mine, going wide and innocent as she nods her head, already agreeing to anything I ask.
“I want to see your photos. Your portfolio. You must have a ton of photos from college, all your projects?” I ask, feeling my heart sink a little when she makes a face.
“Oh that stuff’s terrible,” she exclaims.
“Just because I majored in it and even enjoy it, doesn’t mean I’m any good,” she says.
“Show me, please?” I ask, really wanting to see her work now and kind of annoyed at myself for not bringing it up earlier.
I wouldn’t know how to take a good photo as much as I know how to make the clothes I’m wearing, but I just know that anything Krystal’s had a hand in will be perfect.
She asks me if I really mean it if I want to see her work.
“Of course,” I tell her, encouraging her with a look to go get something I can look at.
“What about going away, the hotel?” she asks with hesitation.
“We can go soon, but I want to see your work first,” I say, pushing Barbie’s folder to one side of the table to prove my point.
“Okay,” she squeals, with more excitement, and I smile to myself.
I’m happy when she’s happy, plus watching her move like that from behind is something I’ll never grow tired of.
I finish my coffee and wait for her, eager to see how talented she is as well as being such a pretty face.
Beauty and talent are rare.
Krystal returns a minute later clutching some thick folders and twists her face as she decides which one or ones to show me first.
I make her mind up for her, plucking one from the stack in her arms and letting her know I plan to go through all of them, so there’s no big deal which one I pick first.
Opening the folder to the center first, I expect maybe some portraits or headshots like Barbie dropped off.
Instead, I see a selection of black and whites. Images of sections of everyday objects.
