AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Holy shit.” Eyes wide, and a hand to my chest, I feel my heart beat a thousand miles a minute and ready to burst out from behind my sternum.
“I concur, Ms. Scarlett.” He nods, a ghost of a smile on his sculpted face.
“I forgot you were here,” I admit with an awkward chuckle that escapes me, a flush running from the crown of my head to my chest.
“That, my dear, is the point.” He snaps another pic, then lowers the camera to the pressed dress shirt covering his chest. “Now, you are welcome to stay as long as you need, but I am curious to see these results.” He wags his brows and clasps his hands behind his back.
“Thanks,” I nod, dumbfounded and probably in shock, but I stumble in these stupid heels that I will never look at the same, in the direction of the door Rex just left out of. I clutch at my purse, holding the thing to my chest as if it might stop thebeating organ in there from escaping my body and leaving me for dead.
I’m outside even though I don’t remember opening a door. My phone buzzes in my hand, my sister’s picture flashing across the previously blank screen. I barely feel my shaking hands as they swipe to answer the call and bring the device to my ear.
“Ari??” My sister calls through the phone, filling my ear drum with echoes and static as my brain tries to catch up. I’m a jumbled mess as I walk on ankles that threaten to give out in these shoes and I breathe in the fresh air that helps settle my pulse and my racing thoughts.
Inhale, one … two … three …
Hold.
Exhale, one …. two … three … four.
“Holy shit.” It’s all I can muster as my heels click against the pavement, my feet propelling me toward the rental car I parked in the lot a block down. I pass others on their journeys as I walk with my sister’s voice in my ear and it’s as if they have no idea that a feeling like this can exist.
I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t have believed it either.
She’s asking me shit rapid-fire, too excited to hear me in this moment so I allow her the time to calm her shit while I work through calming mine.
Breathe, one … two … three …
“Ok,” she blows static through the phone as I beep the car open and slip into the seat without flashing the world my soaked panties. “Ok, so … I totally went off. How was it?” Chuckling, I lock myself in the car and flop back into the seat.
“Oh. My. God.” She squeals, I squeal. My hands shake and I dance in my seat. “I can’t believe I did it! I can’t believe how hot it was—he was. I am in shock and awe.”
Fuuuuck.
My heart still races, my thoughts running over every detail of what happened as if I can live the moment all over again.
“Hot damn, Ari. I didn’t think you’d have it in you. I never should have doubted you!” I put the car in drive and we laugh and we swoon as I recount the events of the shoot with my sister all the way to the hotel and up the elevator to my floor. Tapping the card against the lock, I let myself into the place I’m calling home for the night, allowing the door to penetrate the otherwise silence with a heavythunkbehind me.
We continue to chat about my counterpart and G, the photographer, as I meander about the room, checking out the small snack selection and the mini bar. I select a bag of M&M’s and a soda as I venture around the room to the bed and slip off the shoes then flop onto the fluffed mattress.
She tells me of her day and that she was worried sick about me, whether I would go through with it or not. Apparently, Cedar called her twenty times to see if I’d checked in. I think she’s full of shit, but it might be close.
My sister still managed to get her infant shoot done for the day because she is a damn rockstar at her job—although a little later than the parents were prepared for.
Sorry, baby mama, but sis had a thing. You’d understand if you knew.I think to myself as a form of apology for distracting my sister from her work, but deep down I know I’m not the least bit apologetic.
Because I metRex.The man of every girl’s wet dream.
Aurora patches in my best friend once it’s time for her shift to end and I get to recall the whole thing again, with pleasure.
“It’s the most intimidating, fun, bullshit, anxiety ridden thing I’ve done in a long time.” I admit to the girls through an achy face and a levity to my chest that I swear hadn’t graced me with its presence in a long time. It makes me feel like more is possible. Like if I can do that, then what else can I do?
The adrenaline still pumping through my veins gives motivation to my dreams and sparks my muse to rear her enthusiasm for creation. I’m so deep in sharing the moment, embracing the things, and feeling my feels that I almost don’t catch the beep that sounds through the tiny speaker pressing so hard into my ear that I’m certain it’ll leave bruises.
Gotta be an email or something.
I spare a glance at the screen but bring the thing back to my ear before the words in the notification can register in my poor riddled brain.
Oh, my God.
