Page 20 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

“What’s the coolest place you’ve ever photographed?” she asked. “Your absolute favorite?”

Stephen put his elbow on the table to face her more fully. From his opposite side, Tara frowned at his back. “No one’s ever asked me that before.”

“I’ve barely stepped foot out of Nebraska. I’m hoping to live vicariously.”

“In that case ... Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Since the second I left, I’ve wanted to go back. The jagged peaks of the Tetons behind the forest were so beautiful I could barely take my eyes off them. I spent hours trying to capture an image that would do them justice.”

“Did you?”

“Every time I look at the photos, I want to go back. Which is sort of the whole point, isn’t it? If I see a picture of someplace I’ve never been, and I’m so moved by it that I know my life won’t be complete until I see it for myself? That’s a fucking great photo.”

Elliott couldn’t help her smile, nodding in agreement. His passion was infectious. “Now I’ve gotta see those Teton pictures.”

“I can’t believe I don’t have any on my phone to show you, but yeah—anytime.”

“You’re making me want to quit Starbucks already, you know.”

He raised a brow.

“We’re in the same boat with our day jobs funding what wereallywant to do.”

“Yeah? What else do you do?”

“Graphic design for small businesses. Sort of how you just said a photo can inspire someone to travel to that exact place? I want to use design and branding to help local businesses do that. When they find that perfect customer or client, everyone’s happy. But sometimes they just need a little help finding each other. A logo, brand identity, or website can make or break a business.”

Stephen nodded as she spoke. “One hundred percent agree. I randomly listened to a podcast the other day about the best logos of all time, and I’m convinced the hidden arrow in the FedEx logo is the whole reason they’re so successful.”

“Simple goes a long way. Target, Nike, McDonald’s—some of the simplest but biggest logos of all time.”

“Well, when I’m ready to get a website up and running, I’m coming your way.”

Before Elliott could respond, Carly spoke from across the table. “Wait, you do websites, too?” Elliott turned her head to look at Carly, and for a split second her eyes met Jamie’s. “Think you could help with a restaurant?”

She swallowed past the lump of discomfort suddenly lodged in her throat. “Sure. During my internship, I helped rebrand a pho place in Lincoln. We changed their logo, redid their menus, website, and signage—the whole deal.”

Carly elbowed Jamie, whose gaze had dropped to his beer. “Did you hear that? She could help Blythe with the bakery.” Carly turned back to Elliott. “Jamie’s sister has a bakery in Old Market, Melt My Tart. The food’s awesome, but the website and brochures could really use a facelift. Blythe was just talking about wanting to find someone to help her with it.”

The words slipped out without thought. “I know that place.”

“Really?” Carly asked. “Have you been?”

Jamie’s glass had been at his lips, and he quickly set it on the table, splashing some over the side.

“Sorry,” he muttered, not looking up as he reached across the table for several napkins. Carly leaned away to avoid the mess.

“I didn’t go in,” Elliott clarified, hiding trembling hands under the table. “I was checking out Old Market. I ... saw it when I was walking around, and the name kind of stuck with me.”

“Didn’t I tell you I’d find you some work around here? I’ll take you by and introduce you to Blythe. I bet she’d love to work with you. Don’t you think, Jamie?”

He kept wiping the table. “Yeah. Sure.”

Carly smiled at Elliott. “What do you think?”

Honestly, she should say no. Building on the connection with Carly and Jamie wasn’t a good idea. Both for her sanity and because Jamie clearly didn’t want Carly to know they’d met, which complicated things.

But this was her first business opportunity, and a successful business in one of the most popular locations in town would be a great place to start. Carly had a lot of friends and could bring Elliott numerous business opportunities just like this, and it wouldn’t look great if she declined her very first chance.

Plus, if Blythe hired her and was happy with Elliott’s work, she’d spread the word, too.

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