Page 13 of Summertime Friends

“I mean, if she isn’t prioritizing her own, she could prioritize ours.” Ben sighs next to her. She turns to face him. “Honey, I’m kidding!” She isn’t. “Sort of. I just—I can’t wait to marry you, and now I’m excited for the pictures, and it’s getting real.”

He kisses her nose softly. “I know. I can’t wait to marry you, too.”

“Alright, love birds. If that’s it, I’ve got a train to catch home.”

“Emme, the first weekend in November works for you, right?”

Laura would cringe knowing they are getting married in November. She would cringe at almost every part of their wedding, including me being their photographer. We can’t dare to have someone who is only part-time.

“Mhmm. I already checked, and I’m not booked for that weekend. Let me know if you want a second shooter or not.”

She glances at Ben to get his opinion. He shakes his head.

“I think we are good unless you need one. Up to you! I’ll send over the details again via email, and can sign a contract or whatever if you need.”

Watching Blake and Ben interact tonight was different from other clients. Typically, I can put blinders on and focus on the task, but I know them and am a living participant in their love story. It makes me think about my own from all those years ago and if this would have been us had that summer never happened.

I don’t think I’ll ever know.

“Oh! Before I forget, how should I pay you? I didn’t ask earlier,” Blake says.

“I’ll-” I stutter, my mind catching on to the reminders of him.

I wish I never met her.

Liam’s words from that summer ring in my ears. Louder and more frequent since I saw him a couple of days ago.

I didn’t believe the words he said. I didn’t want to. He was hurt, my fault, but then he weaponized it to hurt me back. I try to bring myself back to the present moment, standing in front of Blake and Ben, but instead, I’m standing in his place. Then, in the restaurant. Then, on the street while he cries out my name. I think a part of me is always there, straddling reality and the past. Gravity tries to pull me toward the present, but how can it be when a piece of me, maybe the one that matters the most, is always with him?

“Send the contract when I get home. There will be a link in it for payment. If you have any issues with HoneyPot, text me,” I finally say.

“Thank you, Emme. We greatly appreciate you stepping in,” Blake says.

“You’re welcome.”

“Ready, love?” she asks Ben. He hooks his arm around her shoulder and leads her toward their car.

Zipping up my gear pack, I watch them. An aching sense of longing chills my veins.

How did they figure it out? Why aren’t they screwed up?

During their shoot, the way they looked at each other was magical. Each kiss, little peeks when the other didn’t see, and handhold was as if you ripped it right out of a fairytale. Even though I was there, they acted as if they were the only ones that existed at that moment—and for each other. It reminded me of the couple at the café in Lisbon. Somehow, I know in forty years, that will be them. Ben won’t ever stop looking at Blake as he did today. And her the same.

The excitement in my eyes dries out as I think again about how they figured out love. I’m almost twenty-nine and—well, I’m engaged to someone I don’t think I’ve ever loved as I should.

As they continue down the path to the parking lot, Ben is now holding her hand. Twirling her around as they walk. Quickly, I assemble my camera and take a few more shots of them. Zoomed in, blurry movement, candid. The exact type of photo I know will have Blake squealing.

***

I missed the train home and didn’t want to wait for the next one. From the back seat of the Uber, I texted Natalie.

Miss you. Catch up on Love Island with you soon?

She didn’t reply. She’s on another brand trip.

Natalie was one of the lucky ones who started posting content early. Before blogs were even popular and you had to use those built-in Instagram filters. Her favorites were Sierra and Ludwig.

Two years after we moved to Chicago, she dropped out of law school to be a full-time influencer. At the time, that word, or job, I guess, wasn’t even a thing, but now she’s become a household name.

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