Page 37 of Picture Us

“Maybe I just have to submit it,” Drew whispered to themself.

They dragged the folder into the application, reading over every last detail one more time.

If I ever want to shoot something that isn’t an engagement or a wedding, I’m going to have to submit it.

Lingering over the bright green submission button, Drew sucked a deep breath into their lungs. On the exhale, they let their finger hit send. With a brief whoosh, a pop up appeared:

Congratulations! Your application has been submitted.

Before they could second guess themself, Drew stood from their desk chair and walked away from the computer.

Just as they were about to rush back to the desktop to try to unsubmit it, their buzzer blared out. The sound echoed off the brick walls of the loft, startling them out of their panic. They glanced at their watch and waltzed over to the door to buzz Rose in.

Punctual as always.Drew rolled their eyes.

16

ROSE

As she burstthrough the door, Rose refused to leave any room for awkwardness. “Would you be able to print a digital photo on photo paper for me?”

Drew nodded as they shut the door to their studio behind her. “Sure.”

Her eyes scanned the apartment as she set her bag down on the work table. On the desktop’s screen sat an application confirmation. She raised a brow as she spotted it.

Drew rushed over to the computer and changed the tab. Even though they were trying to act normal about it, it was very obvious that they were trying to hide what they were up to.

“Sorry, I’d do it myself, but I don’t have a printer, and the printing shop is crazy expensive.” Rose cleared her throat as she offered Drew a gentle smile.

She had hoped that in the bright light of day Drew wouldn’t look as alluring as the night before. But she was brutally wrong. Somehow, Drew looked even sexier in a pair of green joggers and a muscle tee.

Swallowing the excitement building in her throat, Rose pulled a manilla folder out from her bag. If she could just avoid looking at them, she might be able to avoid the temptation.

“Yeah, no problem.” Drew nodded.

Holding out the envelope to Drew, Rose launched into her spiel. “So, I went through the photos you left at my place, and these are the fifteen I think are the most useful. I think I have about twenty of my own that would be ideal.”

Drew was confused. “No 50/50 split?”

Rose crossed her arms as she was forced to meet Drew’s questioning gaze. “I’m open to it, but I’d like to hear your argument for why another five of yours deserve it.”

Their mouth fell open, a slight smile at the corners of their mouth.

Do they like being demeaned?Rose tried to hide her surprise. It was hard to imagine Drew submitting to anyone. But here they were, looking hungry for Rose again.

“Fair enough. Should we talk about the maternity shoot?” Drew walked closer, their eyes drifting down Rose’s body.

Rose felt her heart pound under their gaze, craving their hands on her hips again. But she knew now wasn’t the time.

Taking a seat at her usual stool, Rose pulled a few drawings from her tote bag. They were rough, but as they rested on the table, Rose could tell Drew was surprised by how pretty the sketches were.

“You can draw.” Drew nodded. It was more a statement than a question.

“I went to a fine arts school and shifted to photography after college.” Rose swallowed the nerves in her throat. From the diploma hanging on Drew’s wall, she could tell they were a traditionally trained photographer since the first time she came over. They had probably been fooling around with a camera since they were able to hold one.

Rose looked back down at the papers. “This is what I had in mind.”

Drew flipped through the deck, scanning each page. It was a good concept.

---