Page 53 of Something New

"I know that school. That's a beautiful school."

"I know. And she said they were looking for a photographer… anyway, you need to talk to her because she wanted to offer you a job."

"Like more than just a one-time gig?"

"I think so. I don't know. I'll have to see if works with your schedule and if it's even something you'll be interested in. I told her you take classes at the college, and I know they'd be willing to work with you. She mentioned sports. Would you ever want to shoot high school sports?"

"Yes, actually," I said. "I've never thought of that, but it's similar to what I do now. I'd be good at sports. Football and basketball and stuff? Can they get me on the sidelines?"

"Yes. Definitely."

"That sounds amazing. I'd be good at that."

"I'm proud of you, Sadie. I love that you try new things."

"I'm proud of you that you try new things like hopping on a plane and coming to Miami."

He laughed at that.

We talked for another hour before hanging up the phone. I knew I would see him the following evening, and that was the reason I slept like a baby.

Chapter 18

We ate brunch with Nick the following day. It was served in the main dining room where they ate dinner last night, but there were only a few of us this morning—Nick with a few others, Jonathan, and myself. We talked a lot about photos I had taken the night before. I steered the conversation that way since that was the reason for me being there.

Nick was funny with the way he wanted to soak in the glory of his birthday. He relished the moments when people would wish him happy birthday to the point where a person could feel compelled to say it again. Everyone around him seemed to dote over him. He was flirting with me still, but it never was so overt that Jonathan said anything. He was wrapped around Nick's finger, anyway. I was so glad he was there with me, though.

I had a lot to do that morning, so I excused myself after a while and went to my room to work on some of the photographs from the previous evening.

Later that day, everyone went swimming. They begged me to go to the pool, and I relented, only because I wanted to have enough photographs that he wouldn't ask me for more on Sunday. I took photos of Nick and his wet, bare torso from every angle.

"Where are you going, Shy?" Nick yelled at me from across the pool when I picked up my things to leave.

"It's six o'clock," I yelled back.

"So? You're not swimming?"

"I have to download these photos and start getting ready for tonight."

I tried to get away while he was still across the patio, but he had seen me leaving and began crossing over to me. He was holding a drink and his eyes squinted as he grinned at me with a lazy smile. Everyone was partying already, and the party hadn't even started. I felt like my seconds were twice as long as his. He was too slow and calm, and I wanted him to hurry up and say what he wanted to say so that I could go.

"Did you get some good ones just now?"

"Yeah, yeah, I did. You're going to love them. I'll put it all with your package."

"I'll worry about my package," he said with a smile.

I had hardly ever been so impatient in my life. I took a deep calming breath, picturing the stack of hundred-dollar bills that was sitting on my dresser.

"I'll definitely include lots of options in your photo package," I said, nodding and blowing past his comment and being oblivious. "I've got to be getting back," I said.

"She's got to become the raven," Jonathan said, interjecting with a dramatic statement and making Nick smile.

"Shy the raven," he said.

I grinned and pretended to be into it, but honestly, it was all so cheesy to me. I knew this situation would have appealed to me in the past, but compared to John-Michael and Ethan, all of these people seemed fake. That made my interactions with them feel forced.

I had a few texts from John-Michael, keeping me posted on his travels. He didn't expect to arrive at Nick's until time for the party. He knew where to go, and I knew he would have no problem getting in now that I had talked to Andre in the kitchen and given him a heads-up.