Page 69 of Two Guys, a Girl, and a Tripod

“Don’t I know it,” I mutter. “I was turned down a lot in the beginning. Most women just don’t trust someone who doesn’t already have a few collabs under their belt, you know? A few wouldn’t even talk to me until I had at least ten thousand followers on my clip site.”

“Seriously?” Sophie stops and stares at me in shock. “I mean, I need to see experience, but follower count doesn’t mean a damn thing.”

“I didn’t count you in that group, don’t worry.” I place a hand gently in the middle of her back, urging her to keep up as we turn a corner down another path. “And I’m not judging the women who do that. If it’s what keeps them safe, then I won’t question it.”

“That’s good.” Sophie nods, her gaze still on the plants surrounding us. “Out of curiosity, have you had any,” she pauses, trying to find the words, “less than savory experiences? I haven’t really heard from men about stuff like that.”

“Yeah.” I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “Like you said, always one or two bad eggs.”

Sophie hums and nods, but doesn’t push for details. I’m thankful for that. My horror stories would definitely kill the mood, though I’m sure I’ve got nothing on her.

“Where’d you get your porn name?” It’s a question I don’t usually ask when I work with someone, but I’m curious. She shrugs.

“I didn’t think very hard. Honey is sweet and I’m built like a goddess. Divine.” She winks with a crooked grin. “What about you?”

“Well, Lance, because they’re long and heavy and could potentially skewer someone.”

“That’s ridiculous.” The laughter that bubbles up from her chest is the most wonderful sound. I want to make her laugh every day.

“And Kixxx,” I continue, “like a kickstand.” I smirk, certain she knows what I’m referring to. She fixes me with a chastising stare, but it just makes me laugh. “I never said it was clever.”

We walk in silence for a few more minutes, enjoying the plants even if the heat is less than ideal.

“What made you think of this place?” she asks.

“My mom used to like to come here before she moved away.” The memories flood my mind of spending several afternoons in near silence with her, particularly after my father had died.

“Oh, where is she now?”

“Florida.”

“Well, that’s a pretty big move, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, her sister lives there. My uncle passed two years ago and my aunt can’t really live alone anymore. She decided to help.”

“Family sticking together,” Sophie sighs. She stops to bend over and examine a rose, but then straightens and turns to face me. “I like that. It’s nice.”

I feel one corner of my mouth lifting into a smile.

“Itisnice. Where’s your family? I saw you’re from Oklahoma originally.”

“Yeah.” Sophie pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and chews for a moment. “It’s just my parents. No siblings. They’re still in Oklahoma City.”

“Do you go back to visit often?”

That strikes a nerve. Sophie’s spine goes rigid. My eyes drop to her throat as she swallows, clearly trying to suppress a memory or two.

“Never mind,” I mutter, shaking my head and looking away. “Forget I asked.”Foot. In. Mouth.

“It’s fine, they just don’t exactly support my work, you know? They thought they raised a good, Christian girl.” Her eyes are downcast when mine find her face again. I take her chin between my thumb and index finger, angling her face up toward mine.

“Instead they raised a smart, ambitious young woman who, from what I can tell, doesn’t take shit from anyone.”

Sophie grins and that, right there, is the look I want to see from her for the rest of my days. I’ll do anything she asks if she’ll only look at me like that again. Like I can do no wrong.

Oh, I am so done for.

We stay until the sun begins to set. As the garden closes for the evening, walking back to my car, Sophie’s arm slips around mine. The heat where we touch is electrifying, reminding me that she’s something special. It also reminds me that there’s someone else out there I’m competing with.

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