Page 32 of Her Filthy Grump
Harbor leans against the brick wall and puts on her best come-hither expression. Before I can snap the shot, she giggles and doubles over at the waist.
“Harbor,” I growl. This is the tenth time today she’s laughed uncontrollably. Thank God I don’t have to go to work. I’d never get there in time.
“I. Can’t. Help. It.” Each word is interrupted by giggling. Finally, she coughs and wipes her face. “Damn it, my mascara is probably ruined.”
I arch my eyebrows and study her tear-streaked face. “Yeah, we’re done here. I’m going to need to stick with the landscape today.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.” She rubs her cheeks in a gallant attempt to remove the marks. “Did I get them?”
“Sure.” I smirk. The building down the street from the fire station is perfect for the nostalgic look that Mrs. Thomas loves for her romance covers.
“Bitch.” She rolls her eyes and flips me off. “With friends like you, who needs enemies.”
“I could say the same for you. I’ve spent all morning trying to get one cover shoot done, and you keep laughing.”
“I can’t help it.” She pops her bottom lip out. “Do you forgive me?”
“Sure.” Like I can stay mad at her. She’s been my best friend since third grade.
“Hey, Layla!” Cole yells as he exits the fire station.
I raise my hand and wave. “Hi.”
“Oh, fuck.” Harbor scrubs her face even harder. “Is he coming?”
“Yep.” I grin and take great joy in her discomfort. Harbor has had a crush on Cole for years, but he’s never given her the time of day. Why? She’s his best friend’s little sister. The bro code and the clichéd annoying pesky little sister of his best friend have been in effect for years.
The crazy thing is she’s full of sass in everything she does until Cole shows up, and then, she turns into a bashful twelve-year-old.
She slaps her cheeks and shoves her hair behind her ears. “Hey,” she squeaks, and her face flames bright until there are splotches on her chest. She doesn’t come any closer.
As his eyes travel over her body, he stops in mid-step. She’s wearing a red leather skirt and a black leather bikini top with three-inch stiletto heels and fishnet stockings. He swallows hard.
Oh, my God. Great idea.I beam at Harbor, and her eyes go round. Panic oozes out of every pour in her body as if she can read my mind. She needs a little nudging. Let’s see if we can get her to unfreeze around him. I walk over and put my arm around his waist. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“What?” His eyes still haven’t left Harbor.
“How about I do a photoshoot of you and Harbor? It’ll be perfect.”
“I….” His face reddens.
Yes. I fight the urge to pump my arm in victory. I knew it. He has a little crush on Harbor as well.
“Listen.” Harbor crosses her arms over her chest as if she just now realizes she’s standing on the street corner looking a tad bit overdressed for the occasion. Or underdressed, in this case. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?” Cole frowns.
“I….” She shakes her head. “I don’t know.”
“It’s a great idea. Mrs. Thomas will love it. I’ll call her this afternoon and find out what type of poses she’d want.” I smile innocently at Cole. “Of course, knowing her, it will be a bunch of shirtless photos with Harbor rubbing oil on your chest.”
His entire body stills, and I fight back a giggle. This is so much more exciting than dealing with my imaginary sex life. I jump up and wrap my arms around his neck. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“Layla. This isn’t a good idea.” His face is overheated and filled with dread.
“Why?”
“Because her brother will kick my ass.”