Page 94 of Confusing Hearts

“Photography,” he said simply.

I almost stopped breathing. I had never truly vocalized my desire to be a professional photographer, had I?

Elise nodded. “That could be a great choice if you’re interested in working for the Westin Foundation. Did Chase explain to you about the family business?” I nodded. “Good, then you should know that we need graphic designers, and a fulltime photographer would work great with that position.”

I chanced a look at Chase, feeling his tension on the rise. He shook his head slightly, not enough to draw attention to himself, but enough to tell me he didn’t want to discuss it. I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest. “Seriously?” I whispered to him. He shot me a look.

“What?” Elise said.

“Tell her,” I whispered to Chase.

He shook his head. “Just drop it, please.”

I sighed. “It’s nothing, I guess,” I told Elise, but I knew she didn’t buy it for one second.

“Spill it, pup, or there will be a twin team up on your ass,” Elise told Chase.

That got the attention of Liam and Lily.

“Did someone say twin team up?” Lily asked excitedly.

“Chase is hiding something,” Elise said.

“I’m not hiding anything,” Chase demanded. “Just drop it, E.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t know it was a big deal.”

“Um, Jenna,” Kyle said, trying to hold back a grin. “There’s no such thing as a whisper in a house of wolves. You might as well just say it out loud, ‘cause everyone is listening.”

I blushed. “Sorry. I keep forgetting that.”

“So,” Lily said, dramatically cracking her knuckles, while Liam rolled his eyes and shook his head at her. “What’s the extraction?”

“Chase is hiding something. Don’t know what it is,” Elise said.

“It’s really not that big a deal,” I defended.

Lily and Liam both began to rise.

“Not at my dinner table,” Mary said. “Now take it on into the living room.”

Oscar laughed, and Maddie shot him a “mom look” that had him stuffing another piece of ham in his mouth to keep from getting in trouble.

“Cut it out,” Chase said. “It’s really not that big of a deal. If you must know everything, I picked up extra minors in graphic design and network security. Over the summer Dad told me to consider my place at the Foundation, and I did. I knew there was a need. I want to bring our online presence into the twenty-first century, because it’s very archaic, simple, and needs better security.”

“Chase, that’s awesome,” Elise said. “Why didn’t you just say that? We have room for more than one position. You can head up the department at your discretion. I still think a photographer would be great, though. If that’s where Jenna’s passion is, the two of you can work together.”

“And if you’re that good, Jenna, you could open a studio in town, too. We could use a photographer around here. I have to drive Z almost an hour to get professional pictures taken,” Kelsey added. “If you brought your camera, I’d love you to do a set with Zander, as he’s overdue on his eighteen-month pictures. If you didn’t, we do have a decent one you can borrow.”

Chase laughed. “You don’t understand, Kels, Jenna doesn’t go anywhere without her camera.”

I elbowed him in the side. I was glad he chose to infuse a little humor just then because I was on the verge of emotional overload. My family had never understood my love of photography. It had been discouraged, my cameras confiscated, and my dad would never in a million years approve of me majoring in any form of art, let alone consider it a viable career option, yet these wonderful people I’d just met were basically voicing my dreams aloud and ready to hand them to me on a silver platter.

“I’d love to,” I told Kelsey honestly over the lump forming in my throat.

“Great. I know you and Chase are supposed to head back tomorrow, but if you could squeeze him in before you leave, that would be great,” Kelsey said.

“Well.” I looked at Chase. I almost blurted out, “We can just stay over a few more days,” but I really felt like that was something I needed to discuss with him first. “You’re here now,” I suggested.

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