control my life for another three months, I’ll never come back. As it is, I’m twenty-six going on twenty-seven. I don’t have many more years in my prime, and this is your big chance to get your plus-size lingerie into the major stores. I’m not going to hide under a rock any longer. I need to live my life.”
SimoneSimone nodded as she crossed her arms over her chest and rubbed her biceps. “I get it. I understand exactly where you’re coming from. If we quit, the bad guy wins. We just need to be safe about it.”
“Baby, I don’t know if she should put herself out there…” Jonah warned.
I stood up and put my thumbs in the back pockets of my jeans. My finger encountered the card I’d slipped inside earlier. I pulled it out and read the inscription.
Killian Fitzpatrick, Photographer and Photojournalist.
I held out the card. “That photographer from today said he wanted to complete the job. He also stated he was freelance and not only could go where I needed, but he has a studio of his own. Maybe we can work out a deal to take the photos we need privately?”
Blessing snapped her fingers and pointed at me. “That’s not a bad idea. And you felt comfortable with him.”
More than comfortable, actually, which was a strange surprise. Not to mention the little bit about him wanting to date me. My cheeks heated and Blessing’s lips twitched.
“You like him,” she accused.
I frowned and shrugged. “He was nice.”
“Nice,” she snorted.
“Yeah.”
“And hot in that white, artsy, probably wears a man bun with all that long-ass hair type of way.” She grinned a radiant, bright-white smile.
“Blessing… Mouth, darling,” Mama warned. She did not like her girls to curse. Thought it was common and unladylike.
“Sorry, Mama.” Blessing apologized immediately and then turned back to me. Her dark eyes assessing and filled with mischief. “Okay, okay. Let me work my magic with the client. Explain that we have an unexpected snag, and will need to take the shoot offsite, but that we’ll get them all the pictures they need of each item to make my designs practically walk themselves out of the store on their own.”
I smiled wide, the first real one I’d had in months. It felt a little achy and awkward but still good. Like putting on an old, comfy pair of shoes that might not always be in fashion but were still well-loved and fit perfectly.
“Do you want me to call the photographer or should I expect you to?” she asked with a smirk on her pretty face and full, glossy lips.
“I will.” I jumped on the request like I would have jumped on an offer of a plate full of street tacos. Because tacos. There was always room for a taco. I’d never be convinced otherwise. Besides, Killian asked me to call him. Practically begged. Well, begged might be pushing it, but he did say he’d be worried if he didn’t hear from me, and now I had an excellent reason to contact him.
I fingered the card and put it back in my pocket. Then Mama went off into the kitchen to cook which was something she always did when she was worried. One by one each of my sisters except Simone hugged me and gave me words of encouragement before taking their leave. I in turn apologized for the trouble which they all took in stride. You could knock over a Kerrighan sister, but you couldn’t ever keep her down.
Man, my family was the best.
“Addy, baby, I’ve got fresh baked cookies and tea brewing,” Mama called from the kitchen. Sweets and tea, her answer to every ailment.
Simone chuckled then turned to Jonah. “I’m going to hang out with Addy and Mama Kerri. Do you think your dad and Luca will mind if I don’t make it back to work for the rest of the day?”
He dipped his head and took her mouth in a sweet and fast kiss. “Not at all. I’ll call them on the way back to the office. Stay here. Don’t leave for any reason. I’m gonna get Amber and bring her by before I head back out.”
“Honey, we don’t need our dog here.” Simone tipped her head to the side.
He threaded his hand at the back of her nape. “Simone, that dog would fight to the death to protect her mama. I want that added layer of protection for my girl and her family, yeah? Just let me have that. It will make me