Page 13 of That's a Wrap

“I do say so. You’re beautiful no matter what you’re wearing.”

Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink as she gives me a watery smile. “Thank you, Peter. This is very nice.”

“It’s my pleasure, Ella Kate. Now, c’mon. I’m starving.” I brush some wispy hairs from her cheek, feeling her skin warm in real time.

When she slowly pulls away, I let her, and she unbuckles from her seat belt. I race to her side of the car so I’m able to open her door for her—after our first few outings, she’s actually started to wait for me.

As she steps down, she looks at me curiously. “You used to call me Elle like everyone else. But then you started to call me by my full name? Why?”

We approach the door to the restaurant, and I open that one for her too, leading her inside with my hand on the small of her back. “Maybe I don’t want to be like everyone else. Not to you, anyway,” I explain with a wink.

“Trust me, you’re nothing like everyone else.” I’m not sure if that’s a dig or a compliment, but I choose to believe the latter.

I see the hostess stand and am about to head that way, but on a gasp, Elle steps around me and briskly walks to the panoramic window off to the side of the room. Her expression is filled with childlike wonder as she takes in the pinkish-purple sky and the setting sun that makes the waves of the ocean glitter like diamonds.

“Isn’t it breathtaking?” She’s barely restraining herself from bracing her palms against the sparkling clean glass.

“Yes, it is,” I agree, but my eyes aren’t on the view. I’m watching her. “Did you bring your camera? Wanna take a few shots before we’re seated?”

Her head snaps in my direction. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“This is what you love, Ella Kate. Capturing these amazing moments to be cherished for a lifetime. Why would I mind or get in your way?”

I can see it in her eyes. There’s something she wants to say, but she thinks better of it. “Thank you. I’ll only be a second.”

“Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.” I’m not just talking about our dinner plans, but I don’t think she picks up on my meaning. Doesn’t matter anyway, because my rumbling stomach reminds me that I haven’t eaten since lunch, and she laughs.

“I’ll make it quick. I promise.” She removes her camera from her bag—she never goes anywhere without it—and heads back out the door.

I follow closely behind her, not wanting to miss an opportunity to watch her work. She has a wonderful gift, an ability to see things that most people miss, a way of viewing the world in a way that shows beauty and splendor.

We walk around the side of the restaurant until we reach the back patio. She steadies herself against the railing and begins clicking away, taking as many shots as she can. After a few minutes, we both freeze when we see movement in the water.Like a scene from a movie, three dolphins spring out of the waves in perfect unison. It’s a sight I’ve seen before, but that doesn’t make it any less magnificent.

“Holy shit,” I mutter.

“I know.” Her face beams with a smile as she offers me a preview of the images. “Look,” she insists, and I glance down at the camera screen.

“I can’t believe you got it! That’s amazing!”

She shrugs, lifting the camera again to take more pictures. “Eh, anyone could’ve done that.”

I want to make her look at me, but I also don’t want to disturb her while she’s working. “Not true. You have a gift, and you should be proud of your photography.”

She smiles sheepishly and glances at me from the corner of her eye. “I’m no professional or anything. I just take pictures for fun.”

“Do you want to be?” I ask her.

“Want to be what?”

“A professional. I’ve seen your work. You could be doing so much more. I think using your photos in advertising for the resort could really help with marketing. Hell, even the picture you took just now would be great in one of our new campaigns.”

She bites her lip, a nervous habit of hers that I’ve noticed. “You really think people would like my photos that much?”

“Absolutely. You have a natural talent and you should use it.”

She rolls the idea around in her head for a minute as she packs her camera away. “Okay,” she finally says. “I’ll think about it. I mean, it’ll help the town, right? The more people who visit, the better it is for all the local businesses and families.”

“You’re always thinking of others. Just make sure you think of yourself from time to time.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder, loving that she lets me. Then I guide us back toward the front so we can finally have the dinner I planned for her.

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