Page 24 of The Friendly Fall

Eliza’s cheeks turn a rosy pink as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. “Well, um, I’ve always loved photography, and I recently decided to pursue it more seriously. I’ve been brushing up my skills in the hope that I could start freelancing for local events or even small businesses around town. But I need to build my portfolio first, you know? And your woodworking skills would make for some great shots in the warm evening light.”

“Well, I suppose, since it’s for a good cause, you can take my picture,” I finally agree with a nod. This is not something I would normally agree to, but the smile that grows on her face makes it worth it. “But be warned, I’m not much of a model.”

“You’re the best, Nick,” she says, her voice giddy. “I think you’ll be surprised at how photogenic you are.”

“I doubt that,” I snort, shaking my head. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called photogenic in my entire life.”

“Well, you are.” Eliza beams, putting the camera back up to her face. “You’ve just got that look.”

I laugh, feeling my cheeks grow warm. “I don’t know whatthatmeans, but thanks … I think.”

“It’s a compliment.” She gestures to the bags of concrete mix on the trailer. “Now get to work so I can get some good action shots. I bet all the ladies on Instagram will be drooling over you.”

“Nah,” I mutter, grabbing the concrete and tossing it into my wheelbarrow. I then grab the handles and maneuver it across the yard. It bumps over the uneven ground and crunches through the leaves—leaves that I need to rake up again.

Click.

Click.

Click.

“Just pretend like I’m not here,” Eliza instructs.

This woman has no idea how hard it is to pretend like she’s not here, but I nod anyway and begin mixing up the concrete for the posts as she floats around me, taking pictures as I work. It’s nearly impossible to focus, but eventually, after setting a few of the posts, I start to relax.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m stillveryaware that Eliza is near … but it’s not her camera that’s making me nervous.

It’s justher.

Every now and then, she moves in a way that lets me catch the scent of her warm vanilla perfume, or she’ll giggle, filling the crispfall air with her laughter. I don’t know why it’s so dangcute, but it is.

And it makes the time pass so much faster.

Before I even know it, all the posts are set, the sun is just below the horizon, and Eliza drops her camera around her neck.

“Do you want some help cleaning up?” she offers, her tone light and easy. This version of her is very different from the Eliza that was stuck in a ramp when we first met. She’s relaxed, her eyes bright and friendly. There’s not an ounce of defensiveness about her now.

“You don’t have to,” I say, trying not to stare at the way the warm glow of the dusky sky is dancing across her face. “I don’t mind cleaning up myself; I know you probably have a thousand pictures to edit.”

She grins and waves me off. “I can do that later. I think it’s only right that I help you clean up. I was probably a huge distraction, anyway, so it’s really the least I can do.”

“Only a little,” I joke, grabbing my tools and carrying them back to the truck.

She sets her camera back into its bag on the porch and takes the wheelbarrow over to the water hose. “I can rinse this out for you.” She gets started before I can even respond, not paying any mind to the water splashing up on her jeans or sweater.

And it’s …hot.

My face flushes with heat as I shut my toolbox.Stop being weird, Nick.I shake my head. I don’t ever talk to myself like this.Ugh.

“I really need to rake up these leaves,” Eliza comments as she bumps the wheelbarrow back toward the trailer. “You showed me what the yard could look like when you raked them up the first time. Then again, leaves could make for some really great pictures…” Her voice trails off as she stares across the yard. “I really need to work on building my portfolio.”

“Yeah, you’ve said that,” I tease her, letting her help me lift the barrow and set it into the back of the trailer. “Hopefully, some of the ones you got tonight will be helpful.”

“Oh yeah, they definitely will be.” She beams, meeting my gaze. “Thanks for letting me take them. You’re an excellent model. It’s like you were made to be in front of the camera.”

I burst into laughter. “I gotta say, I’m not sure I agree with you there.”

She makes a face at me. “Why not? Once you relaxed, you were a natural.”

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