Page 18 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

“I’ll wait here.”

I bring the racks back and return to her. When I round the corner, she’s still on the stool, her back partially toward me, gazing out above the thick green shrubbery at the clear blue sky. Miles away again, she holds the ring hanging around her neck and slides it back and forth on its chain. Melancholy veils her.

I walk over, keeping my steps slow, watching her, taking her in. My greedy hunger shifts to compassion for whatever is holding her hostage in that ring. “I’m ready.”

Startled, she drops the ring to her chest and her head flickers toward me. “Great,” she says, standing, looking up at me.

Desire hurls back into me as I look into her beautiful face. I want to kiss her. Right now.

“My car should be out front. I had the valet pull it around.”

We walk in silence through the lobby and out to where my car is. I open the passenger door and she gets in, then adjusts her dress to cover her thighs as I close the door. She’s killing me.

“Thank you for giving me a ride. I hope I’m not too far out of your way,” she says when I get in.

“It’s my pleasure. I’d feel much better knowing I got you home safely. Just tell me where to go.”

“Yup. Turn right out of here then go through a few lights. I’ll tell you where to turn.”

When I put on my blinker, she looks at my dashboard then turns and looks behind us.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah. It’s just, there’s no one behind us and you turned on your blinker.” She points her thumb behind us.

I chuckle, nerves trickle up my spine. “Yeah, habit. I was in a car crash a few years ago and it didn’t have anything to do with not using blinkers, but it did make me a more conscious driver.” I point to the scar above my left eyebrow. “This reminds me that I’m not the only person in the world and my only way to communicate to those around me is by following the rules of the road, whether or not anyone’s watching. It’s also my daily reminder that life is short and can be taken in the blink of an eye.” My heart weighs in my chest as the devastation of the crash pummels my thoughts. I’m so damn lucky to be alive.

She doesn’t say anything. She just nods as the corners of her lips barely lift. Her eyes darken and glaze. Unaware of her movement, she takes the ring on her chain between her fingers. What has her in its grip?

I bring her back from her dark place. “So, what got you into photography?”

Releasing the ring, she returns her gaze to me. “Actually, I think it was our fashion shows when we were little and her mom’s magazines. I was drawn to the photographs. Fascinated by the lighting and shadows and the moods I could feel from the images. I think those magazines are what got me interested in the world of high fashion too. When I was in sixth grade, my mom got me a camera for my twelfth birthday. That was it. I was hooked.”

“That’s amazing that you knew what you wanted to do at such a young age. You followed your dream and now you’re one of the top people in your field.”

“How would you know that?”

“Nicco speaks highly of you and I also Googled you. You’re very accomplished.”

“Thanks. I’ve devoted myself to my craft and invested a lot in learning and equipment. Spent countless hours and late nights perfecting my images and almost always deliver before my deadlines. And it’s all been worth it. This business is built on reputation and I make sure mine is world-class.” She points to the upcoming traffic light. “Turn right up at that light.”

“Is your mom a photographer too then?”

She hesitates, that darkness present. “No. She was a housewife. Given the chance though, she might’ve been. I think she would’ve been amazing at it.” A bright smile lifts her cheeks then fades. “My dad’s a little old-fashioned and didn’t want her to work. I think part of why she encouraged me so much is because she wanted me to be able to have the dreams she couldn’t.”

“Jeez, that’s too bad. I’m sure they’re both proud of you and what you’ve achieved.”

“Left here.” Her energy lifts as her smile broadens. “My mom was. She was so happy for me. She was my biggest fan and I tried to make sure I told her how grateful I was for her constant support and love. She made me feel like I could conquer the world.” Her cheeks lower. “My dad, not so much.”

“Really?” Given what I’ve learned about her, I can’t imagine a parent not being proud. She talks about her mom in past tense. Could she be the person behind the ring around her neck? The darkness looming over her?

“Right, up here. That’s my building.” She points. “That’s a story for another day.” Her gentle smile holds a sadness.

A chuckle drops out of me. “You’re not going to believe this.”

“What?”

“I’m two blocks over.” I slant my head in the direction of my condo.

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