Page 3 of Forever Love-Reimagined

I tried to catch up to her, but it was almost like she was a figment of my imagination because I couldn’t see her anywhere. The only proof I had of her existence was the lingering sensation of her presence all over my body as if she had imprinted on me.

My pulse continued racing even after I slowed down my pace. Her eyes kept flashing in my mind, causing a spark of familiarity, but I couldn’t figure out why. I couldn’t imagine knowing her and not remembering.

I replayed the encounter in my mind, but as I wished it had happened. This time, as I kept her from falling, I dipped her back, brushing the dark brown curl behind her ear, and let myself get lost in her gaze. I would’ve studied her face, figured out where I’d seen her before, and how to get in touch with her again. I wouldn’t have let her slip through my fingers with only those eyes embedded in my mind.

With my brain still buzzing with excitement, I opened the studio door and was immediately brought back to reality.

“Oh my God, Leia. I didn’t think you were ever going to get here.” Haley was frantic as if I was late instead of an hour early.

“It’s good to see you, too. But as you know, I don’t have any clients until 9:30. It’s not necessary for me to be here right at 8:00. That is your preference, not mine.” I smiled, but she was unamused.

“Well, our office hours are 8:00 to 4:00.” She gave me a stern look.

“Exactly. That’s the office… which you manage. I come in early to do other things before work, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessary.” I patted her back, and her perfectly made-up face hardened.

“Fine, but how can I do my job if you’re not here for me to assist?” She put her hand on her cocked hip, showing me she meant business.

“I promise you are doing amazing. If I need you, I’ll find you. Please stop stressing about the small things. And they are all small things.” Honestly, I had no idea what was going through her mind, but if it pertained to work, she needed to let it go.

Business was great, we had excellent ratings on Review Rave, and I still had time to pursue other dreams. Life was pretty damn good from where I was sitting.

“It must be nice not to have a care in the world.” She walked over to the table where I had left photographs scattered out. It was apparent she left before me last night; otherwise, there was no way everything would’ve been in such disarray. She started organizing the pictures, and I wondered if maybe I was the problem.

“I can take care of my own mess. I’m sorry if it stresses you out.” I joined her at the table, and I grabbed a picture. When I saw a woman with dark curls framing her face, I had a flashback to this morning.

I was back on the sidewalk, with those green eyes staring into mine. That small woman with the tamed hair, yet it was obvious it was meant to be wild and free. It was hard to connect any dots, but why couldn’t I shake her from my mind?

When I heard rushing traffic, horns honking, and a melody of voices spilling in from outside, I lifted my eyes to see Haley pushing the front door closed behind her. The sounds abruptly became a blessed hush again, and she dropped her purse on the floor beside the table. I’d been in my head so much I didn’t even realize she had been gone

“Hey, boss.” Haley sounded exasperated. “Are you okay? It doesn’t look like you’ve moved since I left.” She began picking up the mess I had forgotten while stuck in my reverie.

“Yeah, I was doing some mental gymnastics. Trying to plot out my day.” The lie sounded awful, and she wouldn’t believe it, but it was better than telling her the truth.

“Really? Do you care to fill me in so I can update your calendar?” She questioned accusingly.

“Oh, it’s more me figuring out my plans for tonight after work. You have the rest of my day scheduled to a T. I would never mess with your process.”

“You’re so full of it.” She shook her head, but at least it seemed like she wouldn’t pry. “Once we get this place in suitable order, I have a list of what costumes and props the clients are interested in. We can at least get them together for choices when they arrive.” She was back to business as usual, and I needed to get my head there, too.

Even if I could do my job in my sleep, I never wanted to be distracted. I enjoyed seeing the customers’ expressions and working with them to get the best shots possible. It wasn’t about making someone look good; it was making them feel good. And I couldn’t do that if I was phoning it in. I needed them to be excited. The camera captured more than expressions; it caught emotions.

“Sounds good. You tell me what we’re working with, and I’ll figure out some options, but I won’t decide anything until I meet them. I have to grasp their vibe.

“I get that. Nothing can ever be by the book. We have to always fly by the seat of our pants.” She sounded annoyed, but she was smiling, and it was evident she understood my process.

“Art doesn’t come with a handbook. You have to go where the energy takes you.”

“Well, my energy says it likes absolutes and organization. But this job requires me to be a little more lax. And not toot my horn, I think I’m doing pretty well with that.”

I tried to keep my face neutral, as I could tell she was serious. However, if she believed this was loosening up and going with the flow, I would hate to see what she was like in full-on Haley mode. I would keep that in mind, though. I never wanted to make her job harder, and I genuinely enjoyed Haley as a person.

“Hales, you are doing an amazing job. I would be lost without you.” I stood from the table and went to the wardrobe rack. “Now, lay it on me. What are we looking for?”

“I’m glad you see my value. That means a lot to me.” There was a heaviness in her voice, and I wondered if there was something more she wasn’t saying, but she pushed through. “So, we need a sexy businesswoman in stilettos who is hot for her boss.” Her tone was light and airy now, and I wondered if I had imagined the earlier impression.

As I flipped through the clothes, I came across a see-through white button-up, and I was again taken back to this morning. The woman. Those eyes… those breasts. I shook my head furiously. I needed to focus on anything else but that.

I had to get her out of my mind. Maybe meeting someone else would do the trick.

---