AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Emily brightens, and I sense she’s only inches from bouncing on her toes at the idea. “She’s right. I’ve been posting wedding photos on my Instagram account, and I get ads for all kinds of wedding-related services.”
“I don’t have an Instagram account.” Or any other social media site. I don’t need to make it any easier for the trolls and conspiracy theorists to find me.
“But you do have a computer.” Em pulls out her phone from her skirt pocket and taps on the screen. A moment later, she shows me the results of her search. Several interesting-sounding courses pop up. I take the phone from her and click play on a video that tells you what the instructor’s course will cover.
It’s his attention to detail that grabs my interest. His work looks like something from a wedding magazine. Not just the photos of the bride and groom, but also the parts they spent a year planning. The dresses. The flowers. The decorations. The reception tables.
It tells a story. And telling stories is why I fell in love with photography.
“Okay.”
Emily’s eyes practically sparkle. “You’ll shoot her wedding?”
“I’ll check out the course.” Maybe wedding photography will be my calling. The thing that will make me feel more fulfilled—to help with my mental well-being—and put me on the right track to seeing Amelia again.
Em throws her arms around me and gives me a gentle hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
I chuckle and pull away from her. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”
She grins in that confident way she has. “But you will. You should meet Theresa. You’ll like her. She’s super nice. Her wedding is August first.”
Damn. That’s in just over a month.
“So soon? I thought people spent a year planning the perfect day.”
“You can. But some people are looking for something more intimate. They aren’t looking to have the ceremony and reception in a location that needs to be booked far in advance.”
“Em pulled Lucas’s and my wedding together in about a month.” Simone beams proudly at Emily.
“Wow, you really couldn’t wait to get married?” I mean, I kind of get it. Simone and Lucas have known each other since they were kids.
Zara snorts a half laugh. “That’s ’cause they didn’t get married for love like most couples. They got married for business reasons.”
“Only we didn’t know that at the time,” Emily adds, sounding slightly grumpy despite the amusement gleaming in her eyes. “We thought they were marrying for love.”
“But they did fall in love in the end, so it was all worth it,” Zara points out.
“You do realize Lucas and I are standing right here?” Simone rolls her eyes.
Zara and Em level her with a satisfied smirk.
“I can set up a meeting with Theresa next week if you want, Jess. And you two can discuss the photos.” The hope in Emily’s expression shines at me like a beacon in a lighthouse.
“That sounds great.”
“You’re coming to the Fourth of July event and fireworks, right, Jess?” Emily asks.
I nod with a hesitant smile. “I’m looking forward to it. Especially the fireworks.” The only thing I’m not looking forward to is I can’t bring Bailey with me. The crowds will be too much for her. But I’ll have Troy there by my side. That will make things easier on me.
“The girls and I signed up to volunteer. I’m helping with the hayride, but the person who was going to work with me had to cancel.” Em casts me a wide-eyed pleading expression. “How ’bout you sign up and join me? We’ll have so much fun.”
“Um…” Do it. The old me, the pre-married me, would have jumped at the chance to do something like this. “I don’t know anything about hayrides and horses.”
“Don’t worry. There’s not much you need to know. We’re just helping to load people onto the wagons.” She presses her palms together in front of her chin.
I grin, and a small laugh tumbles free. “Okay. I’ll help you.”
Emily releases a tiny squeal. “Thank you, Jess.”
