Page 39 of Obsessed

“You know you’re in deep, right?” Kate seemed to read his mind, putting a hand on his arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure no one bothers Mason. Most of the servers are afraid of him but I’ll recruit Marci as backup.”

Rain heaved another sigh. “I know she’ll get the job done but oof, she’s going toroastme.”

“Let’s backtrack for a minute.” Emma strolled up with gloved hands full of flour. “You’re going to be in a photography exhibition?”

“Excuse me, ma’am, were you eavesdropping?” Rain put his hands on his hips, knowing that half the kitchen had heard their conversation but he couldn’t resist teasing her.

“Of course.” Emma looked at him like he’d asked something stupid.

“I’m eavesdropping too!” Angelo called out from his station on the other side.

“I love this place.” Rain shook his head, laughing. “Yes. Mason is doing a portrait exhibition with a bunch of other photographers and I’m his subject.” Rain spread his arms out and gave them an exaggerated curtsy.

“Send me the info because I’ll be there,” Emma stated before squinting hard. “Unless you’re gonna be nude because I like you hun, but not that much.”

Angelo burst out laughing, leaning on the sink.

“I will be wearing clothes, thank you very much,” Rain smoothed his hair back. “I know, it’s shocking.”

“I think the whole thing is super cool.” Doing a little hop, Kate clapped. “I’ll be there too.”

“Count me in!” Angelo waved and Rain blew him a kiss.

“Thanks, everyone.” The support buoyed him and surprisingly, the next part of his shift went quickly. Marci did needle him, stating that she already knew, but she also put out the word to leave Mason alone. By the time he walked in with the bridal party no one would even look in his direction, and Bryce must’ve gotten an extra scolding because he darted away whenever Rain tried to corner him.

Although he wanted to run right up to Mason, Rain held himself back, trying not to add fuel to the rumor fire, but Mason blew that out of the water by immediately approaching him.

“Can you assist me,” he asked in a flat tone. Now that Rain knew him better, he could see the toll weddings took on him, the strain evident on his face.

“Yeah.” A quick request into the headset freed him from the cocktail hour, and he followed Mason outside where Marci had the bride and groom waiting. Quickly taking out the drone, Mason had it up and running within seconds, letting it hover perfectly.

“Make sure it’s steady and take some shots.” Mason handed him the controller. “Please.”

Marci’s eyes widened but she said nothing as Rain nodded.

Over the last month they’d gone out for several more flying lessons and Rain had gotten used to steering the drone around; plus, he’d been studying photography online, looking at free videos and tutorials, and learning about anything he could get his hands on. Before this, he didn’t have the bandwidth or opportunity for ambition but now? He could feel the possibilities.

The wind had Rain making adjustments and he squinted at the viewfinder because he could tell even from above that this couple found Mason’s gruff manner more alarming than most. They weren’t nailing the pose and frustration was beginning to build on both sides. Marci tilted her head, looking like she was about to step in, but Rain had a better idea.

Striding forward, he gave the remote back to Mason and smiled brightly at the bride and groom, holding out his hand.

“Hi! I’m Rain, I help Mason out from time to time, and I fly drones. He’d like it if you stood like this,” Rain imitated the position, clapping as the groom visibly relaxed, mimicking him. “Yes, yes, just like that! Okay now I need the bride to lean in,” he fluffed her veil, setting it out perfectly since he’d seen dozens of photographers do it. Glancing at Mason, he tried not to stutter at the wonder in that gaze. “Just a little more -perfect! Stay right there!”

Running out of frame, Rain spent the next forty minutes switching between liaison and drone, finding it exhilarating. He enjoyed using his people skills to help Mason out in many aspects of his life, and while Mason had become significantly less stressed, Rain could tell he was still worried about the house because they hadn’t managed to land another lawyer.

Even though Rain had contacted a ton of attorneys, only a few had responded, and they’d refused to take the case unless Mason put down a ridiculous deposit, stating that he might not win. But Rain wouldn’t stop trying. He even thought about asking around at The Pointe. Liam was aiming for law school, maybe he knew someone.

“The cocktail hour is starting, I should get them inside,” Marci stated, and Rain couldn’t help himself, he smiled from ear to ear. He’d just saved the day; not only was Mason able to get the shots he needed, but the couple were more than pleased. In fact, at one point the groom had broken away to shake Rain’s hand.

Giving Rain an impressed nod, Marci ushered the newlyweds back into the wedding hall, leaving him and Mason alone for a few minutes by the gazebo, where they couldn’t be snooped on.

“Thank you.” Mason stared hard at him and then took a few photos. “You helped a lot.”

“I’m glad.” Reaching up, Rain patted Mason’s face, loving the feel of his stubble and noting that he didn’t flinch or stiffen up anymore when touched, making Rain’s chest fill with warmth.

Carrying that sensation with him, Rain worked the party with enthusiasm, happier than he’d been in a long time, especially when he caught Mason taking sneaky pictures again. Adding it to the list of adorable things Mason did, Rain pretended not to notice, making silly faces in the reflections when he sensed the camera on him, and as the reception wrapped up, he became more and more excited to see the drone photos he’d taken.

Rushing through cleanup while ignoring everyone’s knowing stares, he jumped as his phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket, he checked it with a smile that quickly fell from his face.

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