Page 27 of That's a Wrap

She giggles and I press my lips to her forehead. “Jeez, who knew you were worse at something other than photography and lame jokes?” I love hearing the smile in her voice, but then she groans and hides her face in my neck. “Ugh!I can’t believe you took photos of me!”

I smirk. “Well, you were taking so many of me it only seemed fair. Besides, even if you don’t like them, I know I will.”

She whines again and I hug her closer to me, her hot pussy resting on my thigh.

“Speaking of photography…” I give her hip a good-natured slap. “I have some good news, actually.”

She peeks her head up to look at me curiously. “Really? What?”

“A while back, you gave me permission to use some of your photos as promotional material for the resort, remember?”

Still confused, she nods.

“Well, another resort actually reached out to me recently, asking if they could get the contact information for the photographer of those pictures.” I grab her hand and smile ather. “Ella Kate, they want you to go out to their resort and take some promotional photos for them too.”

“What are you talking about?” she asks, skepticism dripping from her tone. “Go outwhere?”

I gesture widely with my free arm. “California! They want to give you an all-expenses paid trip out there within the next few weeks. How awesome is that!”

She’s not nearly as excited as I thought she’d be. Her face is scrunched and she pulls away from me. “I can’t go out to California.”

“What?” I’m confused. “Sweetheart, what do you mean?” I try to reach for her, but she shakes her head and scoots across the bed, putting some distance between us. I hate it.

“I-I have to… I have to shower,” she declares, rushing to the bathroom and slamming the door behind her.

As I hear the water turn on, I’m left alone, naked in bed, and wondering why it feels like I just royally fucked up.

11

ELLE

Why did he do that?

I take longer than I need to in the shower, trying to collect my thoughts. I’m thinking about how Peter and I basically just said I love you to each other. Then, I’m thinking about the fact that some random company in California wants me to come out there and take pictures for them. The cafe pops into my head too, and I wonder how I can leave to go out west when I need to stay and help my parents. I can’t. I just… can’t.

What the hell was Peter thinking?

Once my fingertips start to wrinkle, I wrap myself in the plush hotel towel and look at the foggy mirror. I clear the condensation away with my hand so I can see my reflection. There’s a crease etched between my eyebrows and visible tension in my neck.

What am I doing here? In this fancy hotel, an entire state away from my family? My parents need me, and I just left them to handle the chaos of the weekend business.

God, I feel like the shittiest daughter ever. I basically played around all day while they had to deal with the Saturday rushby themselves. I couldn’t possibly leave them for weeks on end while I gallivant around the country, even if it is for a paid photography gig.

I watch my expression harden with determination as my decision forms in my mind. When I step out of the bathroom, Peter jumps up from the bed and stalks over to me, nervous energy radiating off his body.

“Ella Kate, what’s wrong? Talk to me. Please,” he begs as I walk past him and dig through my bag for some clothes.

“I can’t… I can’t believe you just sprung that on me,” I gripe.

“Sprung on you?It was supposed to be a fun surprise,” he insists. “I thought you’d be excited about the opportunity, both to work on your photography and to be able to travel more.”

I whip around to face him. “I don’t have timeto travel, Peter!”

He throws his hands up. “It’s just one little trip. You’d be back soon enough. It’s not like you’re committing to some lifetime of adventurous excursions all across the globe,” he huffs. “Just try it and see if you like it. If you really hate it and think it’s a waste of time, you never have to do it again.”

I shake my head and pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on. “Peter, not everyone can be as irresponsible as you are, you know.”

He winces, and even though I know I’m being rash and unfair, I can’t seem to stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth.

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