ringing sound that bubbled through Syria’s already warmed-up body. “You’re funny AND useful. I’d love to work with you again.”
Syria blushed. She’d just failed to do a basic task, but still, he was being nicer to her than pretty much any boy she’d ever talked to.
Sharon interrupted them, seeming a bit miffed. She tore a check off her pad. “I expect I’ll see these soon?” She looked from Anthony to Syria.
He accepted the check. “Absolutely. You’re my highest priority.”
Sharon watched him a moment. “You are a sweet talker, Anthony. If only I was ten years younger.” She pinched his cheek and sent a scathing look over at Syria. “Ta ta!”
When she had disappeared over the hill crest, Anthony exhaled in a long slow rush. “I am so glad you came along. That woman is a tiger.”
Syria sat in the grass to watch as he collapsed his tripod and packed it in a bag. “I think you mean a cougar.”
“Her husband is a big banker dude. She’s a great client. Her orders alone can feed me for a month.”
“Must be tough, photographing hot naked women all the time.”
He pulled the light stand closer and removed the flash. “It’s harder than it looks. Sharon is in good shape, but they aren’t always.” He twisted a knob, and the stand shrank down. “And then there’s moments like this.” He gestured around him.
“Isn’t it illegal to shoot nudes in public?”
“Yes and no. If it’s not sexualized, like shooting a porn movie, it can be art. But they can still get you for public indecency.” He stuffed the light stand in next to the tripod. “I hate doing it this close to kids.”
All his stuff seemed to be packed up now, and he folded up the piece of canvas he’d laid everything out on. “I don’t think I got your name?”
Syria’s face bloomed hot as she realized she hadn’t given it to him when he’d said his. “It’s Syria McMillan.” She held out her hand. “This was fun.”
He took it, but instead of shaking it like he had earlier, he held it between his fingers like she was a princess. Her heart beat a little faster. “Syria.” He looked at her again. “With caramel skin and hair like black fire. Are you part Native American? Puerto Rican?”
“My father is from India,” she said.
“It’s an exquisite look.” He let go of her hand. “I tell you what.” He slung a bag over his shoulder. “Help me get this stuff to my car, and I’ll take you to dinner for your trouble. You did save me, you know.” He passed her a camera bag.
Syria stood back up and brushed the grass from her shorts. Her heart was hammering out of control. This amazing cute and funny guy wanted to have dinner with her?
She took the bag from him. Maybe it was just a thank you, but she had to do it. The day had gone from horrible to amazing, and she wasn’t ready for the good stuff to end just yet.
“That sounds great,” she said.
“My car’s up that way.” He pointed back toward the lot. “We can pick a place.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s a little early and I need to get my equipment somewhere safe, but maybe in a few hours?”
“Sure.” Syria scooped up her blanket and keys and had to force herself not to skip as they headed up the hill. Never had a day turned around quite as fast as this one.
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© 2014 Starla Cole
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination for are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, organizations, or locales, is entirely
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