up-and-coming models in Maine. The Instagram feed of the man who had been booked for the day—James Bellings—was one women drooled over. Zara might have been tempted to do a little drooling herself, but even before she’d started sleeping with Rory, she hadn’t been able to stop herself from comparing the model to him…and finding the stranger coming up short on all fronts compared to her woodworking colleague. The female model—Angel Davalos—was an absolutely gorgeous woman. Her eyes told Zara that she’d lived life, rather than just sailed through it. Brittany had told her the woman was getting her master’s in education, as well, which Zara appreciated.
Rather than pay for a photographer and a studio every time she had a new launch, over the past few years, Zara had taken enough photography classes to feel comfortable behind the camera. She’d also taken classes in graphic design so that she could confidently manipulate photos for print and online advertisements, along with posts for her blog, website, and social media channels.
Only, none of that mattered now that her models couldn’t come to the shoot. Zara had prepaid for most of her ad space. She was going to lose a ton of money. Money she couldn’t afford to lose.
“What do you want me to do?” Britt asked. “Should I make some calls to the agencies to see if they can offer anyone on super-short notice?”
“Thanks, Britt, but I really need to get the shots today. I’ll have to figure something else out.”
“What about Rory? I’m sure he’d do whatever he could to help you out. And,” her stepsister added with a giggle, “he’s certainly good-looking enough to be a model.”
Zara wasn’t at all surprised by Brittany’s reaction to Rory. Even at her stepsister’s own engagement party, she’d clearly been wowed by him. But Zara didn’t have time to deal with worrying about Brittany trying to steal him away right now. Not when this photo shoot—and losing ridiculous sums of money on the advertisements—would put her business at serious risk if she didn’t come up with a solution, and fast.
“Thanks for the heads-up, Britt.” She was trying not to panic. “I’ll figure something out.”
But before she could disconnect, Brittany called out, “Wait! Have you decided whether you’re going to help me plan the wedding?”
Having guessed this was coming, Zara replied, “I’ve got to figure out my photo shoot first. I’ll call you later, and we can talk more about it.”
She had only just disconnected when Rory said, “I’ll do it.”
It was the same thing he’d said on Friday morning when he’d found her getting drunk on Prosecco. She hadn’t even needed to give him the full details of how screwed she would be if she couldn’t do the shoot this morning.
He’d simply offered.
Because he was amazing.
Yet again, she could hardly believe her luck not only that she’d found a man like him—but that he actually loved her too.
“I promise it won’t take too long to photograph you in my frames.” She wouldn’t have a female model in her ads, but Rory would make all of her unisex frames look good. “I’ll make it really easy for you. And—”
He put his hands over hers, stilling her wild gesticulations. “I’m happy to help.” As he spoke, he stroked the backs of her hands with his thumbs. Just that one tiny touch was enough to set her on fire. “Anything you need, I’m game.”
The list of things she needed from him went so far beyond modeling her frames it boggled the mind.
“Where do you want me?” he asked.
Anywhere. Everywhere. All the freaking time.
And not just for sex. But for laughs. And hugs. And cuddling up under a blanket watching a bad movie together.
“I’ve got everything set up in the other room.”
After she made sure her office windows were completely covered so that she could control the light with her rig, he asked, “Am I okay in this?” He gestured to his long-sleeved blue flannel shirt, black T-shirt, and faded jeans. “Or do you need me to grab something else from Turner’s house?”
“You look great.”
He let his eyes run over her, head to toe. “So do you.”
Even after all the intimate things they’d done together, his compliment made her blush. “Thank you.”
In an effort to look extra professional while shooting her models, instead of grabbing overalls or baggy jeans, she’d put on a print dress that Brittany had brought her from Thailand. More fitted than her usual outfits, the soft linen was at once incredibly comfortable and attractive.