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Rick grunted while adjusting the dials of his camera. “Landscapes during sunset are always bestsellers.” As part of his income, he sold most of his photos to stock image corporations. The bigger names were far less generous in their royalty distribution than the indie companies, but they got his name out better.
His friend found a large rock to sit on. The hike was short and they weren’t tired. In fact, it was an impromptu idea after they had their lunch, so they weren’t dressed for a hike. Rick wore cargo shorts and a t-shirt, Nick had on a polo shirt and blue jeans. Both had on sandals.
“This is a big spot for couples,” Nick mentioned before taking a sip of his utility bottle. “You should bring Charlie. She will like the view.”
At the mention of her name, Rick reacted. “I’m sure she would,” was all he said. If possible, he didn’t want to think about her. It was bad enough she appeared in his dreams; those were hard to control. But during the day, he preferred not to get lost in the confusing emotions she stirred in him.
Nick sensed the strangeness in Rick’s response. “Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. Why?” With all the mode set up, Rick lifted the camera and aimed it right where the sun hit the Hollywood sign in the middle, and released the shutter.
“Nothing, never mind. It’s not like you’ll talk about it,” Nick muttered. “Just take your damn pictures.”
Rick did just that. Minutes passed in silence as he collected the images. A few hikers came through, most were couples, some young teenagers killing time. Nick sat quietly and watched people walk by.
He looked at his friend, applauding how disciplined the guy was. If it was Rick, he’d pull out his phone and start browsing while he waited. But Nick was a live-in-the-moment person. Understandable. Because of his health limitations, Nick lived life as it should be enjoyed—organically.
“How is it going for you?” Rick asked. “All your doctor visits good?”
“Yep, has been for a while. Nothing to worry about.”
“The worrying isn’t ever going to stop,” Rick said. “Especially when you have Luna.”
Nick grunted and rolled his eyes at the mention of his little sister. “Don’t remind me. I swear she calls and texts me so often she might as well be a crazy ex-girlfriend.”
Luna Fox was six years younger, a resident cardiologist at Saber Medical group, and more mature than he and Nick combined. She was a gorgeous, feisty little thing, and had always joked about having a crush on Rick, but she was like his own little sister in hiseyes. Besides, Nick would kill him if he tried anything. The siblings only had each other. Their parents died young, before Nick’s health deteriorated, so the two were more than close.
“That’s because you wouldn’t let any woman stay long enough to even be an ex-girlfriend.” Rick laughed.
Nicholas Michael Fox was no Casanova, but he had zero problems finding interested ladies. His situation kept him from thinking long term with them, however, and Rick understood that too.
Another grunt from Nick, followed by an eye roll, and the subject flew back to Rick. “Look who’s talking. The last I’ve ever heard about you in something serious was that British journalist. I forgot her name.”
“Sloane,” Rick filled in. “And she’s an American living in London.”
“Well, excuse me for not having the facts straight, given how you’ve offered no information about her.”
Actually, he recently received an email from Sloane saying she might stop by Los Angeles on her way to New York in the next month. He hadn’t responded yet, too preoccupied with Charlie, and had forgotten about Sloane. Their relationship was a question mark at best. There was never anything concrete between them when they became intimate. It was a mutual agreement to keep things casual and unattached since neither were willing to uproot their lives for the other.
Maybe he should reply to her email.
His phone vibrated then, and he pulled it out from his pocket. The name written on the screen shocked his insides like a taser. It took him seconds before he picked it up.
“Hey, Charlie,” he answered.
“Rick,hi,” her voice was throaty, as though she was nervous. “Listen, are you free Saturday night?”
“What’s up?”
There was a bout of silence before she blew a wavering breath. “I need your help.”
“Okay.”
“I need a date.”
He wasn’t prepared for that. Caught off guard, he looked at Nick, who stared back at him with a frown. Thinking to take the call more privately, he walked farther away from his friend.
“A date?” Rick asked.
