“You should be getting an invitation soon to the kickoff banquet,” Liz said as she set the photos aside.
“There’s a banquet?”
“Sure. Everyone who has anything to do with this project, including you and all the models, will be there. We invite the press, introduce you to everyone and that kicks off our sales drive. The idea is to generate excitement so that we get a lot of preorders. That pays for our production costs.”
“Sounds like fun,” Sam said. “I think the calendar will be a big success.”
“Our goal is to raise enough money to fund at least five new homes. Maybe more.”
“That would be fantastic.” Five families with new homes. And speaking of needing a home…“Can I ask you a question?” she said.
Liz smiled. “Sure.”
“This is going to sound funny, but does your organization ever remodel older houses?”
“We’ve done some work like that, but mostly we build new houses. It’s more economical and most people want new. There are other organizations that devote themselves to fixing up houses the elderly live in and things like that. Why? Do you know someone who needs help?”
“Yeah. Me.”
At Liz’s puzzled look, she rushed to explain. “The building where I have my studio is being sold. The new owner plans to tear it down and build condos. So I need to find a place to live, fast. I’ve looked for a rental, but I haven’t found one in my price range that will allow me to run my photography business there, too.”
“I’m sorry. Frameworks pretty much limits itself to building houses for families.”
“That’s okay.” It had been a long shot, but she’d figured she had nothing to lose by asking. “What I really want is an older place, but I’m having trouble finding something in my price range.” Searching the classified ads had become an exercise in frustration. Everything was hideously expensive.
“Maybe I have some numbers you can call.” Liz dug around in her desk and came up with a handful of business cards. “These are all real-estate agents in the area. Maybe one of them has something or knows someone who can help.”
“Thanks.” Sam accepted the cards. “I’ll call and see what they say.”
She left feeling more optimistic than when she’d arrived. She’d find someplace to live and work, even if it wasn’t her dream home.
In the meantime, she had the Frameworks banquet to look forward to, not to mention the wedding this weekend. Now that she’d had time to think about it, seeing Josh again could be a good thing. Surrounded by other people and focused on work, they’d have a chance to relate to each other as friends, not lovers. They’d back things off a little, get to know each other, then see where it all led.
She was so lost in thought she didn’t realize she’d turned on to the street that would lead to Josh’s house. The house he was restoring, that is. She hadn’t even thought to ask where he was living now. Wherever it was, she doubted it was as perfect as this place.
She stopped her car directly in front of the house this time. Since the last time she’d been here, he’d painted the porch and installed new hardware on the front door. The place was looking like a real home now. All it needed was a few touches—some flowers out front, maybe some shrubs. And a porch swing.
She smiled. Maybe she didn’t have her dream home, but if she played her cards right, Josh might let her come over and visit.
Strictly as a friend, of course.
JOSH DECIDED he liked watching Sam work almost as much as he liked watching her take her clothes off. He had that same sense of revelation and discovery in both cases. Here was yet another facet to Sam that he hadn’t seen before.
At the Badger-Mulvaney wedding that Saturday he marveled as, in the space of a single hour, she calmly dealt with a mother-of-the-bride who seemed on the verge of a nervous breakdown, coaxed two hyperactive flower girls into sitting still for possibly the most adorable kid photo Josh had ever seen and so thoroughly charmed the nervous groom that Josh had to fight to keep from reminding the guy that he didn’t have to stand so close to Sam—and if he put his hand on her shoulder one more time Josh just might have to punch him.
Fortunately, Sam was oblivious to Josh’s inner struggle, as well as to the sigh of relief he breathed when they moved on to the balcony at the back of the sanctuary. “Josh, could you carry those light stands for me?” she called over her shoulder as she started up the stairs with her camera and tripod in hand.
“Sure thing, boss.” He winked at her and hefted the two light stands—and almost busted a gut doing so. He’d unloaded the things from the van when they’d arrived, but they’d been in pieces then. Assembled, they weighed a ton.
He realized Sam had stopped and was waiting for him, so he took a deep breath and hoisted the lights, his suit jacket straining against his shoulders. He hoped that was the only thing he strained. He was in pretty good shape from hauling tools and building materials around all day but he was no Mr. Universe.
In the balcony he set the lights where Sam indicated and shook out his arms. “How do you move those when you’re working by yourself?” he asked.
She set the tripod in place between the two light stands and adjusted the height. “If I have to I can carry them one at a time by myself. But usually I find some young stud to haul them around for me.”
He leaned close and spoke low in her ear. “Then consider me your stud for the day.”
The tips of her ears turned pink, but she kept her back to him, so he couldn’t read the expression on her face.
A few minutes later, the organist took her seat and began to play. Ushers seated the guests and the wedding began.
While everyone watched the bride and groom, Josh watched Sam. She was so focused on the ceremony and getting the right shots he wondered if she even remembered he was here.
She spent a lot of time with each photo, getting it just right, taking shots from different angles, both close in and wide angle. He had no doubt the end result would be wedding photos the couple and their families would cherish forever.
She took photos the way he restored houses, with attention to detail and a goal of perfection. If she kept this up, he had no doubt she’d be a great success. She’d need more than a studio in a house—she’d need a whole building for her photography business.
As the ceremony continued, his mind and his gaze wandered, away from the camera and Sam’s hands on it, to her body bent over it.
She wore a sleeveless dress with a full skirt and low-heeled sandals. The skirt was made of some soft, clingy material that draped over her bottom and the backs of her thighs, their shape clearly revealed. His hands itched to touch her. He could recall the smoothness of her skin, the roundness of her bottom against his palm, the firmness of her thighs….
“Josh! Wake up. I need you to take the lights out to the van while I run down and take pictures of the couple recessing.” She pointed to a door. “There’s a stairway there that leads to the parking lot.”
Glad she was too busy to notice the rather obvious bulge in his pants, Josh shifted into weightlifter mode once more and carried the lights out to the van. He returned to the front of the church in time to see the happy couple emerge in a shower of birdseed and good wishes.
At first he didn’t see Sam, then he spotted her crouched down in front of the couple, scooting backward with the agility of an experienced paparazzi, capturing the moment for eternity.
She continued to follow the couple out to their car, which had been decorated with the traditional tin cans and shaving cream. “What now?” Josh asked as the happy couple drove away.
“Now the reception.”
“Great.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m starved.”
She gave him a pitying look. “We don’t get to eat. At least not right away. First, I have to take shots of the bride and groom cutting the cake, the best man making a toast, tossing the garter and the bride’s bouquet, the first dance and candid shots of all the guests.” She stowe
d the camera behind the front seat and climbed into the van. “I warned you I was here to work.”
“You’re right. And I’m here to help.” He took his seat beside her. “Your wish is my command.” Though if he got the chance, he didn’t see the harm in sneaking a few hors d’oeuvres.
AT THE RECEPTION HALL, Sam got a great shot of the bride and groom cutting the cake, and a perfect close-up as they looked into each other’s eyes and fed each other cake. She also captured a picture of one of the little flower girls asleep in her mom’s lap and a picture of the bride with her grandmother that was truly priceless.
Josh was probably bored out of his skull, but he’d been a big help, fetching and carrying. As soon as she could afford it, she was definitely going to hire a real assistant. It made everything so much easier.
Once the cake was served and the bouquet was tossed, things calmed down for a little bit. Sam looked for Josh. At first she couldn’t find him. Had he gotten so bored he’d left entirely? Or had some pretty wedding guest dragged him onto the dance floor? As busy as she’d been, she hadn’t failed to notice the envying looks sent her way as Josh helped her set up her equipment. Whether dressed in work clothes, a suit or nothing at all, he was one fine-looking man.
She spotted him at last, over by the buffet table. He saw her and waved, then started toward her with two loaded plates.
“This is for you,” he said, handing her one of the plates.
“Josh, you shouldn’t—”
“The bride’s mother sent this over,” he said. He turned and nodded at the elegant-looking blonde by the punch bowl. The woman smiled and waved at him.
“Let me guess. You pleaded starvation and she took pity on you.” She accepted the plate. The food did look delicious and she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
“I might have given her one of my devastating smiles, but everything else was purely the kindness of her heart.” He directed one of those toe-curling smiles at Sam. No wonder the bride’s mother had fallen under his spell. “That, and she doesn’t want you fainting from hunger before you’ve finished photographing everything,” he added.
She looked around. The reception was in full swing now, with ties loosened and jackets off. All the ceremonial shots were taken care of and she already had quite a few candid photos. “Actually, I was getting ready to pack up,” she said. “I’ve gotten all the shots I need.”
“Let’s take a break first. Watching you work so hard is wearing me out.” He led the way to a small table in a back corner.
“I appreciate your help,” she said. “And the company.”
“The pleasure’s all mine. It’s been…enlightening, seeing you work.”
She paused with a fork full of shrimp halfway to her mouth. “Um, what do you mean by that?”
“I enjoy watching you with other people. You’re really good—not only at the photography part, but at putting people at ease.”
She shrugged. “I never thought about it much. It’s just what I do.”
“It’s probably why your photographs come out so well. People relax around you.” He grinned. “Present company excepted. Relaxed isn’t how I’d say you make me feel.”
She looked away, determined not to follow up on that comment. She’d been too busy most of the day to think about her feelings for Josh, but now that they were alone she was aware of the way she leaned toward him as they sat, how their hands reached for a napkin at the same moment, how her heart raced when his fingers brushed hers.
The shrimp might have been sawdust for all she tasted it. She looked around the room, hoping for some distraction. “This is one of the better receptions I’ve been to lately,” she said. “The buffet is nicer than a sit-down dinner with a set menu. And the DJ is really good.” She actually had no idea if the DJ was good or not; she had only at this moment noticed the music. A new recording of an old Commodores tune was playing, slow and bluesy. Sexy.
Josh pushed aside his empty plate and stood. “Let’s dance,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Josh, we can’t. We’re not guests.”
He looked around. Their corner of the reception hall was deserted—the tables crowded in front of a screen that shielded extra stacked chairs from the rest of the room. “Come here.” Josh took her hand and pulled her behind the screen. “No one will see us back here.” He gathered her into his arms, his eyes looking into hers, his voice low and irresistible. “I want to dance with you.”
She relaxed into his arms and began to move with him to the music. They didn’t speak but she felt a different kind of communication was happening, one made up of gentle touches and fond looks. After a while, she rested her head on his shoulder and relaxed completely. His arms encircled her, strong and secure. She felt…cherished and happier than she’d been in years.
“You’re smiling,” he said as one song ended and another began. “What are you thinking of?”
“It’s silly.”
“No, it’s not.” His hand tightened against her back. “Not if it’s making you smile that way.”
She raised her head and looked at him. “I was remembering that summer, when I was twelve. When we’d danced.”
“We danced?” He frowned. “When?”
“You probably don’t remember.” Though she had hoped he would. “It was one afternoon when it had been raining. We couldn’t go to the beach and there was nothing on TV, so Julie’d turned on the radio and a song had come on, a slow one.”
“‘I Will Always Love You,’” he said. “I remember.”
It was just the title of the song, but the way he said the words…She swallowed, forcing her thoughts back to her memory of that day. “You’d asked me to dance.”
He smiled. “And you’d said you didn’t know how.”
“And you’d said it didn’t matter, you’d teach me.”
She recalled the magical moment in his arms. He’d been much taller than her then, bent over to press his cheek to hers, coaxing her through the steps, guiding and supporting her. So strong and yet so gentle. “I think I fell in love with you right then.”
She hadn’t meant to say the words out loud. She cringed when she realized she had, afraid he’d think her foolish. But his expression hadn’t changed. “I’d forgotten all about that dance until now,” he said. “I’m glad you remembered.” He held her closer. “I think this is nicer, though, don’t you?”
She relaxed a little. “Because I’m a better dancer now?”
“Because back then we were just a couple of bored kids.” His eyes met hers. “Now we’re a man and a woman and what I feel when I’m with you is anything but bored.”
He was going to kiss her again, she knew it. It was as inevitable as the tide. And she was powerless to resist. “Josh,” she whispered.
“What is it?”
“Do you believe in karma?”
A slight crease furrowed his forehead. “Like…things happen because they’re supposed to?”
“More like—we get what we deserve, not necessarily what we want.”
He shook his head. “I don’t believe in it, then. I think we work for what we want and we get it.”
She wet her lips, which were suddenly dry. “Do you think it’s possible to want something too much? So that you jinx it?”
“No.” He squeezed her hand. “Don’t tell me you’re superstitious that way.”
She ducked her head. “Maybe I am.”
He took her chin in his hands and nudged until she was looking into his eyes once more. “I think you deserve whatever your heart desires. Whatever. Don’t let superstition or fear or anything else tell you different.”
The conviction in his voice—his unadulterated faith in her—broke down her last barrier of reserve. She wanted to throw her arms around him and shout, or to bury her head on his shoulder and cry.
Instead, she closed her eyes and leaned closer. “Kiss me,” she whispered. “Kiss me and don’t ever stop.”
6
JOSH FELT A CHANGE
in Sam with that kiss, a letting go of the resistance he had sensed in her since that first day in the photography studio. Whether it was her memories of their childhood or the familiarity of more time spent together, she had stopped fighting her attraction to him.
When their lips finally parted, she stared up at him, a dazed look in her eyes. “We’d better go,” she said.
He nodded and reluctantly released her. He helped her stow her gear in the van, then climbed into the passenger seat. “Do you want to go somewhere for a bite to eat?” he asked.
“No thanks.” Her smile was apologetic. “It’s late, and I’m exhausted. I need to drop you off at your place and then go.”
She did look tired. No surprise. She’d been on her feet and “on” for her paying customers most of the day. Reluctantly, he abandoned his plans to invite her in.
When she stopped in front of his apartment building, he turned to her again. “I’m going to be at the house tomorrow,” he said. “Will you stop by? I want to show you everything I’ve done.”
“I was by there a few days ago. It looks like it’s almost finished.” She grinned. “But I didn’t go inside that time. I’d love to see it.”
“I think everything’s done.”
“Everything except the yard.”
“The yard?” He’d cut the grass and trimmed the shrubs. What else was there?
“It needs flowers,” she said. “Maybe a few shrubs. Something to make it…homier.”
He laughed. “All right. If I buy some flowers and shrubs, will you help me plant them?”
“I’d love to.”
She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips, but he pulled her back and deepened the kiss. With a sigh, she melted against him. He had always found it easy to let go of the women in his life, enjoying their company, but valuing his freedom. But he found it hard to say goodbye to Sam, even for a little while. “I can’t wait until tomorrow,” he said when she finally pulled away.
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