Page 52 of Click of Fate

“It’s kind of a thing.”

And she’s not wrong.

I’ve said no for years. I’ve sidestepped, dodged, and outright refused every wedding gig that’s come my way since I walked out on my first one, camera in hand, vows in the background, wondering how many times people can sayforeverand still meannever.

But that last one? It didn’t suck the soul out of me like I expected. No existential dread. No quiet spiral in the darkroomafterward. Just a bride, a groom, a lot of genuine joy, and me—surprisingly not bitter about any of it.

Maybe it was the couple. Maybe it was the chaos. Maybe it was the guy who spun me around the dance floor with a cocky grin and hands that knew exactly where to land.

I don’t know.

All I know is, here I am, actually agreeing to photograph another wedding.

“Send me the details before I change my mind,” I mutter, already reaching for the red button on our video call.

“I’m sending them now,” Cassie chirps, clearly basking in her victory.

I hang up.

I didn’t really need to end the call so quickly, but I can feel the emotional static building behind my eyes. I'm still in shock that I even want to do another wedding. That I said yes without weighing every potential way it could dredge up my past. That I didn't recoil from the thought of forever through a lens.

This… isn’t me.

At least, it wasn’t.

But lately, there’s been this unfamiliar feeling threading itself through my days. Like maybe I’m not just in Indy to help Harper. Maybe I’m… I don’t know. Starting something. Building something. Maybe I’m even the tiniest bit curious what it would feel like to stay.

Damn. That’s dangerous.

I close my laptop like it might judge me.

A wedding. Another one. I don’t even know who I am right now.

I stand up, pacing the living room twice before giving in and sitting back down—because apparently, saying yes to one thing unlocks the floodgates.

And there it is, waiting in my inbox. The email I’ve opened, marked unread, and reopened at least four times since last night.

Subject: Exhibit Opportunity – Local Artist Spotlight

I read it again, slowly this time. A gallery in Broad Ripple wants to feature my work—mywork, not just what I’ve done for clients. They’ve followed me since before I moved to Indy. They saw the climbing series I posted, and something clicked. Movement. Emotion. Stillness in motion.

They called it compelling. Said they see a story in every frame.

And I’m… rattled. In a good way.

Maybe.

This is the kind of thing I used to chase before I got so damn good at running.

I hesitate for a full ten seconds.

Then I hit reply.

Thank you for the opportunity. I’d love to hear more.

Another yes. That’s two in one day. Which either means I’m having a breakthrough—or a breakdown.

Too soon to tell.

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