For The Love of Easton (For the Love Of #2) - A.M. Hargrove Page 0,12
what happened?”
“I suppose I was a bit, um, demanding.”
“She’s like her mother. Don’t demand, ask instead.”
“Yes, sir.”
“One other thing, Tristian. English knows this business inside and out. She was practically raised in here. If I were you, I’d defer to her on anything relating to it.”
“Understood, sir.”
“And those pictures you admired?”
“What about them, sir?”
“English should get some of the credit. She did every bit of the editing on them.”
I swallowed. Maybe I’d been too hasty in my opinion of her.
He smiled smugly as though he knew he’d hit his mark. “Now we have that cleared up, let’s get to work, shall we? I like to have the new photographers work side-by-side with me for a week or so in order to get a feel for how each of us does things. If you have any questions, stop me. Today, we’re inside. Tomorrow, we’re on a shoot, but I think you have that scheduled.”
“I do, sir.”
“Good. Then let’s begin.”
After the morning, when I saw how he worked the dual monitors to his advantage, I hated to admit it, but English had been right. My laptop couldn’t accomplish anything close to what two monitors did. He demonstrated the benefits in so many ways it floored me.
During lunch, I said, “You’re so talented, my head’s spinning. Can I ask how English helps? I mean no disrespect, but what I’ve seen of your work speaks for itself.”
He steepled his fingers. “All my contracts state publications are not allowed to do any touch-ups, effects, anything. English handles all the editing here, before the photos leave. With her skill level, I know what I’m getting and I always love it. She has a feel for me too.”
“That makes sense.”
“Any photos you submit to me will also be edited by her. If you’re not okay with that, then we need to revisit your employment here.”
I held out my hands. “Oh, no, sir. I’m fine with it. I was only curious about the editing part.”
“Good. I’d like for the two of you to get along. It would make your work here much easier. We’ve never had anyone here who didn’t get along with others.”
“Yes, sir.” My plan for her was going to shit and in a hurry. I had to rethink things.
“Tomorrow, I’d like for the two of you to go to lunch. You know, patch things up.”
“Beck, I’m not sure there’s anything to patch up.”
“Come on. She thinks you’re an ass. There has to be something you can do to change her mind. English is a very forgiving individual.”
From the sound of things, he was the one who wanted us together. Maybe I was imagining things.
“I will be happy to take her to lunch and be on my best behavior.”
“Good. Glad that’s settled. Now, for work. I’m setting up a shoot in Vietnam. I’m aiming for four weeks from now. How does that sound?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. We’ll go to the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve to shoot some birds, mainly threatened species. I’m interested in the Japanese paradise flycatcher, among others. They migrate in the spring so that’s why we need to make this in a hurry.”
This was amazing, much more than I’d expected. “I would love to go. You name the day and I’m ready.”
“We need visas and I’m assuming you have a valid passport.”
“Yes on the passport, but I’ve never had a visa.”
“Then let’s get started on it.”
This was the chance of a lifetime. I’d actually get to see him at work in the field, something I’d only dreamed of. We talked more about the trip, the cities we’d visit and where we’d stay. This was his fourth trip there and he loved the country.
“The food is different but good. We’ll take some protein bars just in case you don’t like it. I always find they come in handy when traveling to different countries.”
“Will your wife go?”
He chuckled. “Not this time. She’s traveled with me some, and she’s been there twice so she’s not interested. I tried to talk her into it, but nothing doing.”
“Tell her thank you from me.”
I was still walking on clouds when we got back to the office. Nothing would take me out of this happy mood.
Until my phone rang and I saw it was my mom. She never called. My first inclination was to let it go to voicemail, but I answered.
“Tristian, this is your mother.”
Duh, like I didn’t know. Before I could respond, she added, “You need to come home. Your father and Stanton were involved in an accident.”