Page 39 of Hard to Take

11

BROOKE

Sneaking out of your roommate’s bed without waking him is harder than it sounds.

Especially when his massive arm is around you and his leg is pinning yours.

But after last time, being the person who trusted him only to wind up alone? I’m not about to do that again.

“Hey! I didn’t know you were bringing a friend,” Nova chirps when I arrive at the gallery where she’s showing pieces. “Thought you only looked after Waffles when Miles was away?”

“I’m going for dogsitter of the year.” I pass her a coffee.

She walks with me the length of the gallery where her paintings are being hung for an event starting next week. Most are still covered.

“I knew it would be the perfect backdrop for our little photo shoot.”

“And I’m grateful.” I shrug out of my jacket, stripping down to the dark green longline bra and leggings. I didn’t want to risk sticking around at home to do my hair, so I brought a few supplies and touch up my hair and makeup there.

“Maybe against the brick?” I gesture to the textured wall, painted white.

She does a few test shots on her phone and I put on music.

“Come on, let’s sell some leggings,” Nova says with a wide smile.

We start taking pictures. I channel my dance training, starting with elegant poses. Then I shift to more casual ones.

It’s fun being in front of the camera, but even more, I love hanging out with my best friend.

Even Waffles gets in on the excitement. I pull him into one of the photos.

After a few more, I reach for the nearest painting and find the tape attaching the wrapping paper. “May I?” I ask my friend with a pleading look.

“I suppose.”

I peel off the brown paper and reveal the painting, an abstract swirl of bright colors that bring to mind sunsets over the mountain. “This is incredible. It needs to be in the next one.”

“You know you’re glowing,” Nova says after a few more shots.

“It’s the light,” I say.

“I think it has more to do with where you ran off to last night.”

Guilt rises up. “Was it that obvious?”

“Only to me.” She winks.

Ending up in bed with Miles again wasn’t part of the plan. Seeing how much he wanted me after I’d accidentally sent him a sexy pic made it really hard to remember why we shouldn’t.

The way he made me come in secret at Nova’s made it even harder.

“I’m a little surprised he didn’t want to come with you.”

“Technically, he wasn’t awake when I left.”

“You snuck out.” She gasps. “You ran away and took his dog with you?—”

“Dogsitter,” I remind her.

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