Page 81 of Click of Fate

Chapter 19

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

STELLA

Golden hour paintsthe Garden at Newfields in soft, honeyed light, but the breeze biting at my cheeks is a sharp reminder that late fall is officially here. I tug the collar of my fleece jacket higher and adjust my beanie, silently thanking myself for dressing in layers. My fingers are already cold around the camera body, but the couple I’m photographing? Practically radiating heat. Jay and Melany are so wrapped up in each other, they don’t seem to notice the chill.

That wedding I agreed to shoot for HEA—yeah, that came with the agreement to photograph the engagement session, too. Portraits have never been my favorite. I love movement, action, nature—the stuff that tells a story without needing a pose. People usually just annoy me. But I have to admit, this couple is different. Fun. Easygoing. So I don’t actually hate being here with them.

I adjust my lens and lower my voice into the calm, confident tone I save for shoots. “Melany, turn your face slightly. That’s it—chin up just a touch. Jay, keep doing whatever you’re doing—it’s working.”

Cassie is standing off to the side with a clipboard, looking like she’s managing a royal wedding. She's supposed to be here to assist, but I know her. She’s also here to talk. And by the way she’s been watching me like I’m a game of chess she’s waiting to win, I can feel the speech loading.

She waits until I pause to change lenses before stepping up beside me. “Just saying—you realize you’re basically running this like a seasoned pro, right?”

I glance sideways at her. “Was that the compliment? Felt suspiciously like a setup.”

She grins, unbothered. “Not a setup. Just... an opening pitch.”

Here it comes.

“I’m serious,” she continues. “You’ve got the skill, the eye, and the calm-under-pressure demeanor of someone who could easily run HEA’s entire photography wing.”

I shake my head. “There is not photography wing.”

“Not yet, but there could be,” she says.

“Cassie…” I reply giving her a look ofplease don’t start with this.

“No, listen. You love this. And I hate to break it to you, but you’re good at it. Like… irritatingly good. If you came on full-time, you’d have creative control. Build out the services. Train a team. You’d never have to cold call for clients, we have those in droves. You’d just have to keep being you.”

“And the catch?” I ask, half-smiling.

“You’d have to admit you actually like working weddings.”

“I didn’t say that,” I mutter.

“You didn’t say you didn’t.” Cassie beams.

Jay lifts Melany in a spin. She squeals and throws her arms around his neck, laughing like she’s never been happier. My camera clicks instinctively, capturing the exact moment her feet leave the ground.

I look down at the image. It’s perfect.

Damn it.

“I’ll think about it,” I say quietly.

Cassie hums in satisfaction. “Good. That’s all I’m asking.”

We head toward the next setup spot, and I feel the weight of it settle over me. A real job. A real offer. A real future.

And for the first time, I don’t have the urge to bolt… yet.

That might scare me more than anything else.

Cassie checks her phone as we start walking back toward the cars, her clipboard tucked under one arm. “Also, don’t think I forgot—girls’ night tomorrow. You, me, Layla, Harper, Hazel. Candle-making and carbs. It’s happening.”

I groan. “I was planning to snuggle with Maple and rewatchStranger Thingsfor the fourth time.”

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