Read Online The Hierarchy of Needs (The Portland Rebels #2) by Rebecca Grace Allen - Free Book Online
Authors: Rebecca Grace Allen
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surgery and there’s no backup, so we’re totally screwed. I know you said taking pictures wasn’t your thing anymore, but I don’t suppose there’s any way you could fill in?”
“Aw, Jamie, I don’t know.”
He wasn’t sure if it was her request or the fact that she was acting so normal that was bothering him.
“Please,” she said, barreling through his reluctance. “If you don’t come, the only photos we’ll have will be whatever the guests take on their phones.” She paused, adding, “We’d pay you for your time and everything.”
“I can’t take money from you.”
Money was a key factor in the separation of their worlds. She lived in a Victorian house on the shore. He lived in a warehouse. Dinners with his dad were pizza deliveries at the shop, while the Matthews were longtime members of the Portland Country Club. If he wanted to keep their relationship on an even keel, he couldn’t let her pay him for something like this.
“Okay, then. No money.” Her lips twisted to the side in an expression she often made. One that was weird and cute and made him want to kiss them back into place.
Stop it.
“What if I said there was free beer and food in it for you?”
Dean laughed loudly. Man, she knew him well.
“All right.” He dragged the words out, trying to sound a lot more unenthusiastic than he felt. “I’m in. What time?”
She gave him the details and strode toward the exit in a flourish.
“Jamie, wait.” It was too odd, the way everything had been so easily swept to the side. He couldn’t let her leave without checking. “About last night…”
She waved a hand in the air. “It’s no big deal. Forget about it.”
Well, okay then.
He watched her leave, wondering what the hell he’d agreed to. He didn’t have any experience photographing weddings. Hell, he didn’t even know if his camera still worked. But he’d been compelled to say yes. To do something that made her happy.
He liked being the reason for her smile. It was probably why jealousy had snapped through him like a firecracker when she moved on in high school, a friendly wave thrown in his direction from the arm of the jock she went out with next.
It was a dumb feeling to have. He’d wanted her to find someone else. It was why he’d cut things off.
Dean retreated into the garage, finally able to get a grasp on what had been bugging him. He’d been looking for something with her—a hint of emotion in her eyes, proof that last night had some kind of effect. But his reality today was the same as it was six years ago, and she didn’t belong here. One day she wouldn’t be kidding about moving on, and he’d be happy for it. Her behavior was exactly what he should’ve hoped for.
So why did it feel like a pry bar was being jammed into his gut?
He shook it off. Helping her out was the right thing to do. To set things right and act like a real friend, for once.
It was the only way he could be sure her smile wouldn’t become tainted for good.
Chapter Six
Dean was enjoying himself a lot more than he’d expected.
The reception passed in a flurry of laughter, music and good food, although he hadn’t had any of the free beers Jamie promised him. He’d been a bit rusty with his camera and wanted to stay sharp. Putting on the suit he hadn’t touched in a while was another good reminder to lay off the booze. It fit, and he wanted it to stay that way.
He checked through the images on his camera, pretty happy with what he’d captured so far. The backdrop of cobalt blue ocean at the ceremony site. The bride and groom recessing down the aisle, guests raining a shower of fiery blossoms over them. The first dance, then Jamie’s brothers holding up their beers as they sang along to “Sweet Caroline”. Krissy and Mikey swaying to a slow song, a foot of space between them.
He hoped Mikey would remember some of the advice he’d given him and actually score tonight, but watching them together was like something out of
“Aw, Jamie, I don’t know.”
He wasn’t sure if it was her request or the fact that she was acting so normal that was bothering him.
“Please,” she said, barreling through his reluctance. “If you don’t come, the only photos we’ll have will be whatever the guests take on their phones.” She paused, adding, “We’d pay you for your time and everything.”
“I can’t take money from you.”
Money was a key factor in the separation of their worlds. She lived in a Victorian house on the shore. He lived in a warehouse. Dinners with his dad were pizza deliveries at the shop, while the Matthews were longtime members of the Portland Country Club. If he wanted to keep their relationship on an even keel, he couldn’t let her pay him for something like this.
“Okay, then. No money.” Her lips twisted to the side in an expression she often made. One that was weird and cute and made him want to kiss them back into place.
Stop it.
“What if I said there was free beer and food in it for you?”
Dean laughed loudly. Man, she knew him well.
“All right.” He dragged the words out, trying to sound a lot more unenthusiastic than he felt. “I’m in. What time?”
She gave him the details and strode toward the exit in a flourish.
“Jamie, wait.” It was too odd, the way everything had been so easily swept to the side. He couldn’t let her leave without checking. “About last night…”
She waved a hand in the air. “It’s no big deal. Forget about it.”
Well, okay then.
He watched her leave, wondering what the hell he’d agreed to. He didn’t have any experience photographing weddings. Hell, he didn’t even know if his camera still worked. But he’d been compelled to say yes. To do something that made her happy.
He liked being the reason for her smile. It was probably why jealousy had snapped through him like a firecracker when she moved on in high school, a friendly wave thrown in his direction from the arm of the jock she went out with next.
It was a dumb feeling to have. He’d wanted her to find someone else. It was why he’d cut things off.
Dean retreated into the garage, finally able to get a grasp on what had been bugging him. He’d been looking for something with her—a hint of emotion in her eyes, proof that last night had some kind of effect. But his reality today was the same as it was six years ago, and she didn’t belong here. One day she wouldn’t be kidding about moving on, and he’d be happy for it. Her behavior was exactly what he should’ve hoped for.
So why did it feel like a pry bar was being jammed into his gut?
He shook it off. Helping her out was the right thing to do. To set things right and act like a real friend, for once.
It was the only way he could be sure her smile wouldn’t become tainted for good.
Chapter Six
Dean was enjoying himself a lot more than he’d expected.
The reception passed in a flurry of laughter, music and good food, although he hadn’t had any of the free beers Jamie promised him. He’d been a bit rusty with his camera and wanted to stay sharp. Putting on the suit he hadn’t touched in a while was another good reminder to lay off the booze. It fit, and he wanted it to stay that way.
He checked through the images on his camera, pretty happy with what he’d captured so far. The backdrop of cobalt blue ocean at the ceremony site. The bride and groom recessing down the aisle, guests raining a shower of fiery blossoms over them. The first dance, then Jamie’s brothers holding up their beers as they sang along to “Sweet Caroline”. Krissy and Mikey swaying to a slow song, a foot of space between them.
He hoped Mikey would remember some of the advice he’d given him and actually score tonight, but watching them together was like something out of
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