Page 69 of Camera Shy

“Huh?” Her face screws up in confusion. Ah, fuck it. I take a large step forward through my doorway. My bare toes nudge against the edge of her flip-flops.

“Real beauty isn’t loud and demanding. It’s subtle.” I tuck a loose strand of her rich, dark hair behind her ear. “Men look past you because you represent what they’re scared of. Palmer’s the kind of attractive you enjoy for the night. You have the kind of beauty you worship for a lifetime.”

She rolls her eyes and tries to step away, but I grab her by her shoulders.

“Stop that,” I command.

Her eyes bulge. Clearly, my tone startles her. “Stop what?”

“New lesson. You want your love life to be satisfying, right?”

She simply nods in response.

“Then learn to take a compliment. Stop flinching every time I tell you you’re beautiful.” Hooking my finger under her chin, I slide my arm around her waist.

“What’re you doing?” she asks in a whisper.

“Listen to me, okay?” Using my finger, I move her chin up and down, forcing her to nod. “Avery, look at me.”

Her eyes lift, but she’s trying to look over my shoulder. I’m not satisfied.

“Hey, I mean really look at me.” I try to control my breathing, but my chest tightens when her misty green eyes lock onto mine. “I noticed you in the car that day. Not Palmer. You’re exactly my kind of beautiful. I’m looking… I see you.”

At first, I think my finger is shaking, but turns out Avery’s chin is wobbling. “Okay,” she mumbles.

Shaking my head, I lean in a little closer. My lips are almost touching hers. “If I were to tell you you’re great at your job as a brand consultant, what would you say?”

“Thank you,” she says without hesitation.

“Why?” I stroke my thumb across her soft, warm cheek, still holding her head up with my finger tucked under her chain.

“Because I know. I’m great at my job because I work really hard. It doesn’t mean I can’t get better, but I know I’m good.”

“Exactly. So when I tell you you’re beautiful…” I press my lips against hers. It’s hardly a kiss. Just a curious, reassuring touch. “Just know it…say thank you.”

She finally smiles, understanding my message. But much to my dismay, she cradles my hand in both of hers before pulling it from her face. “Thank you, Finn. That was sweet.” She drops my hand but doesn’t pull away.

“What is it?” I study her clouded expression, her eyebrows angled, her thoughts clearly racing. It’s a familiar look and I can’t quite put my finger on it.

“Maybe that’s what went wrong with Mason. How could he want me if I didn’t want myself? Maybe he would’ve complimented me more if I had just said thank you. I always used to brush him off and tell him he was only saying things to placate me.”

I suddenly realize I recognize the look on her face. I used to wear it whenever Nora and I broke up. When we weren’t together, but I was still in love with her. Avery’s not ready. They just broke up. What was I thinking? You don’t forget four years in a couple of weeks.

“Maybe if I had talked to him more,” Avery continues, “it wouldn’t have ended like it did. Maybe I can learn to talk to men the way I can talk to you.”

I touch my knuckle to my lips and ask the question that’s been burning in my mind since the moment I met her. “Why do you talk to me like this? Why are you so at ease?”

She gives me a guarded smile as she lifts her shoulders. “Because you’re Vegas.” She retreats. Taking one large step backward, she nearly falls off the concrete step. “Thanks for talking to me. I’m going to get some sleep. This week, I’m going to work on some design ideas for your website. I haven’t forgotten my end of the deal. I’m going to do a really good job for you. We’re going to make your business soar.”

“Okay.” I blow out a breath, hoping she hears my reluctance. Don’t go. You’re already here. You wanted to see me…so stay. “So I’ll see you soon?”

She nods overenthusiastically. “Yes. I’ll text you.” She turns and scuttles down the concrete steps. I call out to her when she reaches the sidewalk.

“Avery, wait!”

She halts in place and pivots to face me in the doorway.

“You said I’m ‘Vegas.’ What the hell does that mean?”

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