Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Rafe sighs. “Alan said she had a history of drug use, and he threatened her with bad publicity that would ruin her career if she pulled any stunts.”
“Oh.” There are still questions crowding my mind, but it doesn’t seem polite to keep asking them. Rafe seems sad about what happened, but in a tired kind of way. He doesn’t strike me as a man who’s had his heart broken. Still, I don’t think it’s a good idea to make him relive the situation any further.
“Are you going to be in the studio this afternoon?” Conal asks during lunch.
“I was planning to. Is that okay?”
“Of course. I wanted to let you know there’s going to be a photographer there. Roddy hired them to take promotional pictures of us working. I told Roddy you could do it, but he already had this arranged.”
He sounds apologetic, and also way too confident about my abilities. “Oh! I’m not ready to take professional pictures.”
Conal frowns at me. “Your stuff’s great, Hazel. Don’t downplay it.”
I’m pleased at his confidence, and love that he seems proud of me, though it’s unwarranted.
“Anyway, you should definitely come in. Maybe you’d like to talk to them.”
I’m not sure I should, and I definitely don’t want to be in the way, but the photographer arrives before the guys go back in the studio, and Conal immediately introduces me, telling her that I’ve been taking pictures of them, too.
Fortunately, the photographer, an older woman named Maggie, is clearly a long-established pro and doesn’t see me as any kind of competition.
“I’m here early,” she says, looking around the kitchen, where some musicians and crew members are still finishing their meals. “Want to show me your work?”
I fumble around for words, feeling like I should politely decline her offer, but all three Curran brothers are looking at me like they’re proud, and that gives me the confidence to fetch my laptop and show her a few of my favorite images, both from the studio and outdoors.
I’m expecting more or less a polite pat on the head, but Maggie assesses them seriously, then asks, “How long have you been doing this?”
“I took a class years ago, back in high school, but I just started again a few days ago.”
She nods. “You’ve got good instincts. Photography skills can be taught, up to a point, but it sure doesn’t hurt to have a natural talent for it.”
“Thank you.” I’m thrilled, but trying to play it cool. “I really appreciate it.”
She nods once. “No problem. Keep taking lots of pictures, and play around with different techniques. You’ll develop your own style.”
“I will. Thank you.”
I trail behind when she goes into the studio, tucking myself into a corner where I’ll be as invisible as possible but still able to watch her work. I note how she doesn’t hesitate to move quietly around the studio for the best angle on the candid shots. Her actions are fluid and efficient.
My phone vibrates in my pocket; my sister’s calling. I duck out of the studio and head toward the back patio to take the call, answering on the way. “Hey, Ember. How are you?”
“Hi. I’m good. More importantly, how are you?”
“I’m great. Just like last time we talked.” My sister and I keep in touch often, but she’s been texting and calling a lot more this past week. I’m glad she cares about me, but wish that she could trust that I could handle myself if something was wrong.
“Good. Listen, I can’t talk long because I have a meeting in a few minutes, but I wondered if you and Conal could come over for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Me and Conal?” I pause. “And Rafe and Bron, too?”
There’s a longer pause on the other end, then, “Do you mean what I think you mean?”
More silence hangs between us as I quickly calculate whether Ember will be more or less concerned about my situation if she knows I’m involved with all three men. I purposely haven’t said anything to her about it yet, but I’m not in the habit of lying to my sister. “Yes,” I confirm.
She lets out a huff of air. “I thought his brothers were looking at you like they wanted to be more than in-laws. Are you sure you’re okay, Hazel?”
“You’re in a relationship with three men. Why should you be worried about me doing the same thing?”
Her tone amps up to maximum Big Sister haughtiness. “Don’t you dare compare our situations. I didn’t drunkenly marry a stranger and upend my whole life to be with him—and his brothers.”
I open my mouth to protest, but she has a point. If she had done this, not that she’d ever be so reckless, I’d be worried, too. “I know it sounds bad, Ember, but things have been really great. I promise. They all treat me wonderfully. They’ve been generous, kind, and patient.”