Page 69 of The Girlfriend Zone

MY LYFT IN SHINING ARMOR

Leighton

The Rubenesque woman lounges on the soft white cover on the bed, propped on her side in a zebra-print teddy, her red lips curving into a come-hither smile, her gaze dark with desire. A story of seduction unfolds before my lens, and I capture it frame by frame.

“Beautiful,” I say to Cora, lowering the camera briefly. Then, I turn to her partner, Aliza, a lithe woman in a leopard bodysuit, who’s standing just out of frame. “Why don’t you move over to the bed and watch her as she poses?”

Aliza grins. “Sounds perfect.”

She perches on the edge of the mattress, her expression softening into something tender with a touch of fire, too, as she gazes at her girlfriend. I lift the camera again, snapping away. These voyeuristic shots—the ones that tell the tale of desire from another’s perspective—have become some of my favorites. I’ve been adding them tomy repertoire more often lately, ever since that shoot with Miles. There’s something intimate and raw about them, something that resonates deeply with clients.

It’s not just about looking sexy; it’s about being wanted. About knowing someone is captivated by the sight of you, unable to look away.

And isn’t that what we all crave? To feel adored, like we’re someone’s entire world?

I take a few more frames, capturing them together but apart. When I’m finished, I say, “Do you want to come back this afternoon? I can do a soft edit and show them to you.”

It’s morning, and I have one more shoot, but I can squeeze in some work on their pics after that.

They say yes in tandem, then take off. A few hours later, they return to the studio with eager, hopeful eyes. We sit down at the table where I edit on my laptop and I hold my breath as I show them their pics. This is one of my favorite moments—the payoff.

It’s a moment—most of the time—when clients see themselves in a whole new way. Cora gasps. Aliza covers her mouth with her hand, her eyes glassy. They turn to each other, and I watch them. “You look incredible,” Aliza says to her love.

“So do you,” Cora says.

“You both do,” I add.

With obvious emotion, they say together, “We do.”

This reaction makes it all worthwhile. I give them a quick rundown of when their final photos will be ready, as Cora heads to the door, then asks, “Want to join us for a glass of wine? Our treat.”

I shake my head with a rueful smile. “I’d love to, but I have to move tonight.”

Aliza gasps, her jaw dropping in mock horror. “You worked and you’re moving in one day?”

I wave off her concern with a laugh. “It’s easy. Everything fits in two suitcases.”

“I still think you need wine,” Cora says.

“You’re probably not wrong,” I say.

They leave, and once I’ve straightened up too, I exit Hush Hush, locking up, then blinking when I spot a bottle of chardonnay by the door. I reach for it, grabbing the tiny pink card next to it. I flip it open, smiling as I read:I always get my way. Love, Cora

I tuck the bottle into my canvas bag. It’ll go to good use; I’ll pour a glass as I unpack. Hopefully, my once-and-again roomies won’t be there.

Maybe Indigo and Ezra will be busy at the bike shop they manage together—the one near the apartment where they make bespoke bamboo bikes. A woman can hope.

As I walk home, the city hums around me and I listen to it, soaking in all the sounds—the honks of horns, the buzz of traffic, and the chatter of pedestrians. I replay the session in my mind, the way Cora’s face lit up when she saw herself through Aliza’s eyes. The way that reminded me of the impromptu session with Miles once upon a time. I sigh, letting my mind wander back to that day, when I felt the same sort of adoration. What would it be like to feel that again? To feel it freely, and regularly? But then, I let the idea go. Now isn’t the time to get caught up in romantic fantasies. I have work to do, money to save. A future to prepare for.

I’m better off behind the camera anyway. I prefer being the storyteller. It gives me more control, and that’s what I need most in this wild, unpredictable, noisy world—a world that someday might become a whole lot quieter for me.

And I lied.

So much for “two suitcases.” Not only have I stuffed two massive pieces of luggage to their breaking points, but I’ve also filled a collection of reusable grocery bags with kitchen supplies. Who knew tea paraphernalia could take up so much space? Actually, someone probably knew. I just ignored it.

Don’t even get me started on toiletries. That stuff multiplies. And the nightstand drawer? Let’s just say I had no idea how many “friends” were crammed in there. I definitely need another suitcase.

I could call Maeve, Everly, Fable, or Josie to borrow one. But no. I’ve got this. More grocery bags will work fine.

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