Page 20 of Troubles

I pull in a deep breath and step back while running my fingers through my hair. “Erm, yeah. Right. I’ll, uh…pack up my cameras while you…” I wave my hands at her and the sheet, unable to find words that make any sense.

I hold her hand as we walk through the grounds back to the car park. I want to touch her. Maybe it’s the intimacy of the moment. Maybe I don’t want her to pull away again. Maybe I’ve become completely intoxicated by her, but the reflecting pool changed something in me. Maybe in her too.

I walk her around to the passenger side of the car and help her in, not letting go of her hand until I have to. What. The. Fuck? Lis shifts nervously, giving me the side eye as I settle in the driver’s seat and turn down the radio. “So, are you going to let me see?”

“See what?” I want to hear her ask.

“The pictures. I want to see what you got. What I look like.”

I sit and smirk at her for as long as it takes to make her a little uncomfortable. I think I like her a little rattled.

“What? Can I see them?”

“Well that’s the thing. A moment like that needs to be treated special. Treated and captured in a way that sets it apart from all the rest.”

She scrunches her nose up at me as I pull out onto the main road heading to her flat. “You’ll have to wait for the proof sheet.”

“What? Just give me the camera, I’ll scroll through and scrap the shitty ones before you doctor them up with filters and magic.” The scent of her hair floats around me as she turns, trying to reach the ruck in the back with my equipment. My skin tingles and raises chill bumps where the strands brush faintly across my arm.

“I switched cameras. This afternoon could only be done justice with film. I’ll need to develop them at the dark room. I should have the proof sheet tomorrow—maybe later tonight.”

Lis huffs out her frustration right there.

“Are you cranky, then? Need to get you home so you can take another nap, or go to bed early, yeah?”

“I have to work tonight.” She drops her head back and closes her eyes. “Jenna texted me—the other bartender called in sick. Bastard is probably just hungover.” This girl works hard. Too hard.

I pull up to her building and hop out to get her door. Not sure if I’m being a gentleman, full of shite, or just have to touch her again, but as she steps out of the car, I wrap my left hand around her neck and pull her to me. It’s still there. That magic from earlier. I brush my lips across hers, hating that I have to let her go for the evening. “Be safe at work, yeah.”

She nods, licks her lips, and makes her way inside.

I set off for the photo lab straight away.

14

Lis

“Hey, what time are you working tonight?” Gracyn really needs to get a handle on her volume control.

“Seven to close. You wanna shush a little?” Easing out a deep breath, I close my eyes willing myself to grab another water and some more ibuprofen. I’m definitely feeling better, but I need sleep.

“Still have a headache? You’re looking all wobbly and woozy—sun too much for you today?” She’s obviously feeling perkier than she was this morning, and there’s no escaping her now. I shrug and shuffle down the hall to my room to change for my shift.

“Are you working tonight, too? You wanna ride in together?” Please, please let her say yes. If she drives, maybe I can catch a quick nap. And make it through the weekend without having to put more gas in my car.

No lie, this week is going to kill me. I have rent, books for my summer courses, and a million other bills to pay for. My tiny financial cushion from spring break is officially gone.

“I think I’ll drive, though.” She looks at me with her lips curled up in a smirk. “You still look like shit.”

My phone buzzes while I put some makeup on and try to tame my windblown hair.

A: Hey-I got darkroom time tonight. I can come by when I’m done.

L: How long will it take to process all the photos?

A: Christ, far too long. I’ll just get the thumbnails done. Come by for a drink.

I can’t tonight. I just can’t. The past two days have been some kind of crazy and intense. I need a minute to think about this afternoon. About what passed between us.

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