Page 38 of Hard Rock Deceit
"My art is very solitary," I saidsoftly.
"Does it ever getlonely?"
"I never thought about it that way. I had fellow students. I had instructors,mentors."
"But you don't need them to do your work." August examined me. "I'd like toseeit."
"Seewhat?"
"You. Takingphotos."
"You see me taking photoseveryday."
"Not for the tour. For you. I'd like to see you in your element." He brushed a strand of hair from my face. My cheeks tingled where his fingers touched. "I'd like to see you break into abandoned buildings like adelinquent."
My face was flushed even as Iprotested.
"I was half joking when Isaidthat."
"Only half?" August raised an eyebrow playfully. "Exactly how many times have you unlawfullytrespassed?"
I eyed him. He seemedserious.
"You really want to come with me while I do my streetphotography?"
"We've got a two-day stop coming up. Why don't we do it then? We can sneak off after theconcert."
"If we get arrested, I'mblamingyou."
"I've got more than enough moneyforbail."
We shared a secretsmile.
It was an odd sort of date, if you could even call it that. I'd normally balk at something like this. Letting someone watch me while I worked was all sorts of nerve-wracking.
I was supposed to move out of my comfort zone. To challengemyself.
Being with August Summers wasn'tchallenging.
It was starting to feel like the most natural thing in theworld.
ChapterTwelve
"You sure thisis the rightbuilding?"
The look on August's face as he eyed the dilapidated building, partly skeptical, partly horrified, made melaugh.
"I double checked my urban explorer forum. This is therightone."
"And you trust a bunch of strangers on the internet enough to take their wordforit?"
"I've known them a lot longer than we've known each other, and you're trusting me," Ipointedout.
"I'm rethinking that decision. These stairs look like they're going to give out anyminute."
"A guy on my forums was here just the other day. It'sperfectlysafe."
"If yousayso."
