Page 25 of Wildcat
“What are you doing over here? Shouldn’t you be in makeup or something?”
He grins. “You think I need makeup?”
I look him over as if I’m considering it. He has nice skin. It isn’t shiny and is blemish-free. He has a straight nose and a sharp jaw. His hazel eyes are bright and framed with thick, dark lashes. No, he definitely doesn’t need makeup.
I mumble as much under my breath. Apparently louder than I mean to because he chuckles softly.
“I’m up next.” He bumps my shoulder. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
“Not likely.”
He shakes his head. “I’m going to win you over, Scarlett.”
Not in this lifetime.
I take a deep breath when he’s gone. He sets my every nerve ending on edge. Blocking him out, I walk down to the ice. Lindsey rolls her neck again as she sets the camera down and takes a long drink of water. She smiles as I approach.
“This is incredible. Did you put all of this together?”
She nods. “More or less. I come up with a few different ideas, and someone above my pay grade decides which one they like best.”
“I’m a photographer. Or, I’m interested in it. I don’t do it professionally or anything. I dabbled a little in sports photography for my ex. He is a race car driver.”
“No shit? If I’d known that, I would have already strapped a camera to your hand. Do you prefer a Canon or Nikon?”
“I’m very much a newbie. I don’t think I’m ready to shoot anything like this, but I could help with lighting or setup or… whatever you need.”
“Really?”
“I can’t seem to force myself away from the action and I’m waiting on my dad for lunch, so…” I shrug.
“Okay, yeah. If you take over for Joe, that’ll free him up to swap off with me. I’ll take any and all the help I can get.”
She introduces me to Joe, who’s running the schedule, making sure the next player is ready to go and that everything is set.
“Got it?” he asks me as Lindsey hands him a camera.
“I think so.”
“Good enough for me.” He smiles. “Send the next guy out.”
Leo’s already close enough that he walks onto the ice without my calling him.
“Where do you want me, boss?”
“You’re enjoying this too much,” I tell him.
“Hell yeah, I am. Did you really block my number?”
“It isn’t like you were going to use it.” I roll my eyes.
“I would have,” he says. “Honest.”
I don’t believe him and the scowl I give him must tell him as much.
“I should have done it sooner, I know. We were busy with camp, that’s true, but I had plenty of opportunities to shoot you a text.”
“Exactly.”
