Wright with Benefits (Wright Series #8) - K.A. Linde Page 0,97
the hell I could escape this guy. Why had I ever agreed to go on a date with him? It had clearly ruined everything.
New rule: don’t date anyone that you work with.
“Oh, that’s nice Evan,” I said, taking a step backward.
Evan moved forward again, swinging his Canon around as if it hadn’t cost him a small fortune. He’d been my second shooter on a dozen wedding all over the country, and it had seemed like a great idea to ask him to shoot the grand opening of Wright Vineyard.
That was before I’d agreed to go on a date with him. The worst date of my entire life.
“Maybe after we’re done, we can head out for a drink,” he suggested.
I bit my lip. I’d decided after our last date that I was going to go cold turkey no guys for ninety days. After a string of horrendous dates, truly horrendous dates, I just couldn’t stomach it. I wanted the summer all to myself.
But saying no was easier said than done when I’d spent my entire life doing what everyone else asked of me. It was time to be more like my best friends, Annie and Sutton. They got what they wanted. I wanted that too.
“I don’t know, Evan,” I hedged.
“Ten o’clock downtown?”
“I…”
“Perfect.”
My eyes were wild with alarm at the stupid word that wouldn’t escape my lips. How hard was it to just say no to a guy? No, I don’t want to date you. No, I don’t want to sit through another dinner where you talk about yourself. No, I don’t want to hear how much better you think you are than me. Just no.
But the word never left my mouth.
“Uh…I don’t know. Maybe…”
Evan furrowed his brow. He opened his mouth as if he were going to say something, but then his eyes darted up and over my shoulder. He took a step back in response.
I whipped around and found none other than Julian Wright. My heart stuttered at the sight of him. He was dressed to impress in his typical preppy attire—sharp khakis, a blue button up, gray blazer, and boat shoes. His dark hair was swept to the side and his dark eyes were fixed right on me. I’d been attracted to him since the day he literally fell into a pool on top of me. That was three years ago. One date and one perfect kiss later and I was a goner.
But that was ancient history. We were just friends now.
“Hey,” I said with a smile.
“Hey, Jen,” he said. “Think I could borrow you and your camera?”
His eyes moved to Evan behind me. His jaw flexed for a moment. The news of our bad date had circulated. He’d probably heard about it. Damn, Annie! I wanted to bury my face in my shirt.
“I can go,” Evan said quickly.
Julian dismissed him without a word. “Jen?”
“Yeah. Sure. What do you need?”
He gestured for me to precede him, which I did. We headed across the main barn and toward a side exit, which would help us avoid the crowds. Because not only was today the grand opening, we’d secured the band, Cosmere, to play a private concert for us right here in the Wright Vineyard barn. It helped that the lead singer, Campbell, was from Lubbock and his brother, Hollin, was a co-owner with Julian.
We exited the barn and I took one fleeting look behind me. It was already busy with early access guests. The high ceilings and ambient lighting made the rustic interior shine. The floors used to be dirt were now a glossy hardwood, and there was a stage set up at the end of the place just big enough for a band or a wedding. It had taken them months to get it the way they wanted and it had all paid off.
“What did you want me to shoot?” I asked Julian.
“Oh, nothing,” he said, running a hand back through his dark hair and shooting me an alluring smile. “You just looked like you wanted to be anywhere but talking to that guy.”
I laughed self-consciously and tucked a strand of my brown bob behind my ear. “That is the truth.”
“Didn’t you recommend him for the job?”
He tilted his head to the side and I fell into step beside him as we took a trail away from the bustle of the barn and toward the cellars. Hundreds of people were already waiting in line before the barn door, waiting to be let in for the Cosmere show. Thankfully, they’d