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“You said you were practicing photography while you wait,” I remind her, suppressing the amusement threatening to burst from me. “So, what is it that you are waiting for?”
“Oh, um, Silvia. I was hoping she and Isla could join me for a walk in Central Park today.”
I nod acknowledgment.
“See, one of my classes this semester is about nature photography,” Dani explains, her long legs closing the distance between us with purposeful steps.
The welcome smell of fresh-cut grass combined with tropical sunscreen fills my nose as she stops beside me, her body close enough that our arms almost graze. Then she turns her camera screen to face me so I can see the image of the dahlias she captured. Though I’m no photographer, I can see how well she’s highlighted the brilliant color of the blossoms.
“You are attending the Chelsea School of the Arts, is that correct?” I ask.
Dani’s eyes flick to mine, surprise flitting across her face. “You remembered?”
I shrug it off, though perhaps it is strange that I would recall such a minor detail when I simply overheard it in a conversation she had with Pyotr and Silvia over a year ago. “It is my job to be aware of the people in my employer’s life.”
“Oh, right,” Dani says, seeming flustered as she glances back toward her camera. “Well, normally, I prefer capturing people. But nature is a fun new challenge,” she explains, seeming oblivious to the effect her proximity has on my body.
I fight the urge to lean closer and inhale the fresh scent of her floral shampoo. Warmth radiates from her skin, reminding me that the slightest shift could bring me into contact with her.
“Why do you prefer photographing people?” I ask, forcing myself to focus on the topic of conversation.
Dani shrugs one enticingly bare golden shoulder. “I can find so much more depth and emotion when I take pictures of people. Nature and landscapes are nice, but there’s less unspoken communication in images of plants.”
I glance sideways at Dani, assessing her, not for her high cheekbones and delicate nose—though they certainly catch my eye—but for the intriguing reasoning behind her stated preference. I’d never put that much thought into photographs before, but now I want to see for myself what she means.
In an instant, my attention shifts to the rooftop door as I sense someone just on the other side. A moment later, Silvia steps out into the cozy space.
“Oh, good. Efrem, you’re already here.” She flashes me a warm smile.
3
DANI
“Thanks for agreeing to be my subject matter,” I say as Silvia, Isla, and I wander Central Park for the perfect photo opportunity.
“Of course!” Silvia beams as she shifts Isla from one hip to the other with motherly ease. “I’m sorry we couldn’t make it a girls’ day…” She glances subtly in Efrem’s direction, who follows at a respectful distance. “It was a great idea, especially considering we haven’t found my own security detail yet, but Pyotr’s just a bit on edge right now.” Silvia gives me a bashful grin that borders on apologetic.
“No, it’s fine! I totally get it. My dad would prefer I have a chauffeur with me at all times as well, what with our family being in the public eye and all. I just can’t stand having someone babysitting me, you know?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel bad because that could easily be how one might interpret Efrem’s presence. I just don’t think of him that way. “And by that, I mean some stuffy old killjoy who tells me what I can and can’t do—obviously, not Efrem.”
Dear god, could I be any more awkward?
But Silvia laughs, seeming relieved.
From the corner of my eye, I look to see if I offended Efrem with my careless comment. But his chiseled face is as impassive and unassuming as usual, his attention seeming to be focused on our surroundings rather than the conversation between me and Silvia. Ever the professional.
“How about here?” I suggest as we reach a cute little water feature off to the side of the Pond with Gapstow Bridge as a perfect backdrop.
“I love it,” Silvia agrees. “How do you want us?”
We take our time setting up and finding a comfortable position for Silvia and Isla. I take special care to engage the little girl in her surroundings, pointing out the stray leaves littering the ground and the little fish swimming near the water’s edge. My goal is to capture a candid for my school project—the criteria, depicting the essence of “curiosity.”
Before I even have a chance to set up my shot, Isla’s ready to deliver.
“I touch?” Isla asks, mimicking my pointed finger as she leans precariously toward the water’s surface and tries to poke one of the tiny fish.
My stomach lurches as my instincts tell me to grab the little girl who is still learning her balance and could easily fall in. But I fight the urge, knowing Silvia’s a great mother and will be there before I can possibly intervene.
Instead of grabbing Isla, I take the opportunity to snap a shot of her wide-eyed wonder and parted lips, her pointing finger, and the slight pucker of her brow just as she starts to topple toward the water. Then, as Silvia scoops her daughter out of the air before Isla even knows she’s in danger, I snap a few more candids of the adorable mother-daughter moment.
