Page 58 of Safe With You

Before I clicked the link, my eyes drifted to the bottom of Ellis’s message.

If it’s easier, feel free to text me with any questions about the gallery.

Beneath it was his phone number.

I stared at it for a second.

It was probably something he included with every client.

Still...

Before I could overthink it, I added him to my contacts. Ellis Monroe.

Satisfied, I opened the gallery again. I balanced my plate on one knee and returned to the first photograph.

Without Naomi beside me or any customers, I moved through the images more slowly.

Ellis had photographed the room without making anyone look observed. I didn’t know how he did that. Maybe it was patience. Maybe it was knowing when not to interrupt a moment by asking someone to look at the camera.

I stopped at the photograph of Rachel and me again.

Seeing myself through someone else’s eyes had always made me uncomfortable. Even when the picture was good, I usually found something to criticize before anyone else could.

My smile looked forced.

My arms looked awkward.

My hair had been better before the humidity got to it.

But this time, none of those thoughts came.

Ellis hadn’t made me look perfect.

He had made me look like myself.

I opened my messages and tapped Ellis’s name.

Ellis, I finally had a chance to sit down and look through everything properly. These are beautiful. You managed to capture exactly what I hoped the night would feel like, including moments I didn’t even realize were happening. Thank you for being so thoughtful with it.

I read the message twice.

It sounded too formal.

I deleted being so thoughtful with it and typed:

Thank you for seeing the heart of it.

That felt more honest.

The episode playing on television ended and moved into the next one. I set my empty plate on the coffee table, promising myself I would take it to the kitchen in a minute.

Naomi’s voice returned to me.

Why would we make it a one-time thing?

My planner sat on the shelf beneath the coffee table. I pulled it free and flipped past the pages filled with supply orders, payroll reminders, and upcoming releases.

The following month was mostly blank.