Picture Perfect (4 page)

Hope patted his thigh with her hand. “I’m so sorry you have to go through this. I had a guy once, an author, fall in love with the lady I chose for his cover. He wouldn’t stop calling and emailing me for her number or address or anything I could give him. He couldn’t understand that I found that picture out of thousands of stock photos. And with the manipulations I performed on the computer, she became a beautiful alien. I think, if he were to ever meet her for real, he’d believe she’d look just like she did on his cover. Some people are crazy, is all. Forget about her. She’ll go away eventually.”

“Can I tell you how relieved I am right now?” He collected her in his arms and snuggled down into the enveloping cushions of the sofa.

“Why? What do you mean?” She rested her head on his chest, intoxicated by his warmth, the feel of his power around her, and the gentleness that shrouded it all.

“You get it. That’s all. You get it.” He kissed the top of her head and nuzzled her hair.

“Yeah, I do, Jamie.” She made circles on his stomach with her fingers.

“Tell me about your covers here.”

“Well, that one is my first cover.” She pointed to the poster nearest the front door. “And they go in order around the room. My favorite is the one with the angel in it. It took me forever to find just the right wings. But I love the way the graphics blend to tell a story, right on the cover. That’s what I strive for in each cover I do. If the story is appealing on the cover, the reader will want to read what’s inside.”

“Exactly! That’s what I try to do in my photo shoots. I think about generic storylines or scenarios and play them out in my head and on camera, start to finish. You mentioned earlier that you lost your job. How are you feeling about it? I think I’d be pissed.”

“At first, yeah I was. Until I had a chance to think about it objectively today, that is. I realized that I’m free pickings for everyone now. Before, one publisher had the rights to my work, and one publisher only. At the time, I thought great because it gave me a steady paycheck. But after all these years and all these covers, I have a reputation. I can contract out to anyone and everyone, on my terms.”

“Now that’s a great attitude, and from the looks of those covers, I’d say you’re in a perfect position to skyrocket in this field. You really know how to put a cover together, lady. I wonder….”

She eased back from his warm, cozy embrace. “Oh, I see wheels turning in that brain of yours mister. You wonder what?”

“What if I added a line to my company? What if I had a line of pre-made covers to sell to self-published authors? You could make them, I could sell them, and we could share in the profit. Genius! What do you say?” He now sat on the edge of the sofa, a knee bouncing with excitement.

“Whoa, tiger!” She raised her hands in defense. “Let’s slow this train down a minute. I’m flattered that you would offer that to me. Really, I am. But we’ve gone from being total strangers to uh, well, whatever this wonderful bit of loveliness is, to you offering me a business deal all in one day. It’s a little much for me. Let’s take this one step at a time, okay? I’m not going anywhere. I live here, all the time. Just three doors down. Let me get the word out about me to the industry first, see if I get any nibbles. In my spare time, I’ll work up some ideas for covers for you and see where it takes us. As for us, I feel the need to return to where we were just before you had your attack of genius. So lay back and open up those arms, sugar, and pour some of you on me.” She flashed him a toothy grin, hoping to soothe with humor any hurt she may have caused.

“You’re so right.” He leaned back and opened his arms for her and she immediately settled in. “I don’t know what got into me. It’s been so long since I’ve been this comfortable and could talk this way with a woman without her getting all stalkerish over it, and I went too far. I’m sorry.”

“No worries, Jamie.” She closed her eyes, soaked in his essence, and sighed. “This is much better. But now my foot really hurts. I have two options, take a pain pill that won’t work after an hour or drink a lot more wine. I vote for the wine. Oh, garcon! Another glass of wine, if you please.”

“Why certainly, mademoiselle. Drink to your heart’s content.” He filled her cup to the brim and she laughed.

They spent the rest of the evening snuggled together, talking, drinking wine, eating the crumbs from the cupcake and some cheese and crackers Hope had in the fridge. Midnight came far too soon.

“I really should go,” he whispered drowsily into her hair as he traced patterns on her arm lightly with his fingers. “I have fitness training at six a.m., and I’m shooting all day after that.”

“Okay.” Neither moved.

“Six comes mighty early,” he noted.

“Uh huh, yep.” Still no one stirred.

“My phone has an alarm set for six.” He scooted them both down so they lay prone on the couch, hopelessly entangled by their arms and legs.

“Works for me.”

Chapter Five

All through his workout, James couldn’t stop thinking about Hope and the fact that she still lay all warm and delectable on the couch they shared all night long. Just twenty-four hours ago he’d met an amazing woman and his whole outlook on life changed. The only dark cloud? Brittany wouldn’t stop texting him messages of love and forgiveness and yuck. He’d have to put a block on his phone and email when he got home after his shoot.

The day would be long, with multiple sites for a host of different photo shoots. He showered, dressed, and headed out the door. He was known for being prompt to his jobs and prided himself for his professionalism. He stopped cold about ten feet away from his bike. He could see from where he stood that the gas tank and fenders had been keyed, scratched beyond a simple accident, but purposely scratched so that a simple buff wouldn’t be enough to fix the damage.

“Son of a bitch!” He hurried up to it for a closer inspection and dialed the police non-emergency number requesting an officer come take a look and write up a report. He called his first job and told them what happened. Pissed as hell, he rescheduled for next month. Setbacks happened all the time in the business, but these shots were cutting edge and time was of the essence. To be original and the first one out there with the goods always set him apart from the other stock photo companies. Finally, he sent a text to Hope asking if they could get together after his last job. She responded immediately with a “yes” and an “absolutely”.
All right! That makes things a whole lot better. I bet Brittany had something to do with the vandalism to my bike, though. This is gonna get ugly, I can tell. I don’t like ugly.

The police showed up and wrote a report. They advised him to call his insurance company. Unless he had witnesses to Brittany causing the damage, they couldn’t do anything more. When they left, he shook it off as best he could and continued with the day’s plans.

***

Showering would be out of the question for a while, but a bath worked just fine as long as she kept that dastardly foot out of the tub. Hope closed her eyes and relaxed, imagining Jamie joining her for a sexy, wet romp. Between yesterday and today everything had been a blur, a somewhat horrible yet absolutely wonderful blur. Who would have thought that a walk along the beach could produce such a phenomenal beginning to the rest of her life? She had only been hoping for a little clarity. Had she known that she just had to slash her foot on a shell, she would have done it years ago. But then again, being divorced for so many years between the two of them offered a better perspective than if they’d met nearer to their traumatic events.

So he asked to come over tonight after work. Fantastic. But what can we do with my bum foot? I can think of a few things. Oh, girl! Did you really just go there? Yes, yes I did!
Her laughter echoed through the bathroom. As she dried off and dressed, she heard her doorbell.
It’s far too early for Jamie to be back.
She grabbed her crutches and made it to the door within two doorbell rings.
Persistent bugger.
She opened the door on a petite delivery woman standing and tapping an envelope on her thigh.

“Can I help you?”

“Uh, yes. I have an envelope for a Mr. James White, but he’s not home and I need a signature. You’re the only one around it seems. Would you mind signing for this and giving it to him?”

“I thought you just took it back and left a note for him on his door?”

“Yeah, well we can do this, too. Our company has done this for him before. He trusts his neighbors. So would you just sign please?” She smiled sickeningly and cracked her gum.

“Well, all right. He’ll be coming by later anyway, so he’ll be sure to get it.” The woman pushed a clipboard in her gut.

“Whatever.” She dropped the envelope in to her hands, turned and walked back down the driveway.

Hope closed the door and wondered how that woman even got her job and considered calling to report her poor professional demeanor. She looked on the envelope for the company name, but found none. In fact, the only name on the envelope
was
Jamie’s. No return address. Strange. She put it on her foyer table and sat down where she’d piled a ton of pillows for her foot. He would be here soon enough and she’d give him the envelope. For now, she had a load of emails to send to publishers and independent authors she knew. After, soap operas would have her undivided attention.

***

Three hours flew by in a flash. It happens when you spend most of your time online. In between sending out emails, Hope hung out on various blogs and social networks, schmoozing with authors she knew and fans of her work. A knock on her door pulled her back to the three-dimensional realm. She looked at the wall clock and smiled. Jamie.

“Coming!” She got up from the couch and hopped over to the door. She opened the door slightly and looked out. “Hello, handsome.” She leaned against the door jam with her hand on her hip.

“Hello there, pretty lady.” He stepped right up to her and slid his hands around her waist. Bending down, he planted a kiss on her that intimated, “Thank God I’m home.” Hope wrapped her own arms around his back and pressed him closer. He released her lips only to blaze a trail from the crease behind her ear down to her neck and back to her mouth.

“That’s the best hello I’ve ever received. You can come over here after work anytime.” He held her in an embrace that spoke of comfort and ease.

 “You know, you’ve been stuck inside all day. You must be stir-crazy. I’m taking you out.” He picked her up amidst her squeals and protests. He cradled her in his arms, took her to his bike, and sat her down on the passenger seat.

“What about my purse and locking up the house?”

“You don’t need a thing but your keys. I think I saw them hanging by the front door. Yes?”

She nodded, totally impressed by his attention to detail. “I’ll be back in a second.” He raced back to the house and returned looking victorious, jangling keys in his hand.

“Jamie, what the hell happened to your bike?”

“Long story, but I already called the police and took care of it. I think Brittany is on the revenge path. I just have to catch her in the act. No more talk of the B girl. It’s you and me, babe. Here we go.” He straddled his bike and gingerly placed her foot on his thigh to rest. “Grab ahold of me, okay?” Hope nodded, pushing concern aside for the meanwhile.
No problem with that, lover-boy.

Jamie rode with masterful skill the winding Laguna Canyon Road and stopped at a quaint-looking home nestled in a foothill. After turning the bike off, he leaned back against Hope and looked up at her. “I’ve never been here before, but a friend of mine says it’s great. Thought we’d give it a try.”

“I love finding new places. Looks wonderful. Thank you for whisking me away.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He got up and proceeded to pick her up.

“You’re not seriously gonna carry me in there, are you?” She laughed and held him off. “Really, I can hop. And besides, I’m not like those models you work with that get blown away with the slightest breeze. You’re gonna get tired carrying me everywhere.”