A Little Pizzazz

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Alice frowned. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Bella sighed. "No, not really. Just be careful, okay?" She reached out to squeeze her friend's arm in a rare display of affection. "I don't want to see you get hurt."

Alice opened her mouth, about to ask a question, but at that exact moment her name was called by the stylist. She gave Bella one more curious look before nodding and walking over to Angela without her usual bounce. Bella felt bad for taking that spring out of her friend's step but she wouldn't be able to deal with her guilt if things went pear shaped for Alice and she had never said a word.

Her eyes found Jasper who was now chatting with Davey animatedly as the shorter man adjusted his hair here and there. The pair of them were laughing about something as Jasper waved his hands around, gesticulating like a maniac. She smiled and shook her head. She didn't know him very well but she could definitely see what Alice was attracted to. It was more than just his sex appeal; he had a relaxing presence, something that she just couldn't pin down and define but it was addictive.

"Okay Colonel Kentucky, you're up!" she called to him.

He looked up at her and arched an eyebrow. "Kentucky?" he drawled. "I'm from Texas!"

"Would you prefer I called you Bush?" she quipped.

He laughed, heading over after Davey released him. "Whatever works for you darlin'," he winked. She briefly wondered if his eye ever got stuck from all that bloody winking.

"Save it for the camera," she rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her mouth.

"Okay, okay," he stood in the middle of her cove, facing the camera. The white background gleamed beautifully under her lights. She had made sure that a fresh coat of paint was put on it before this shoot since it had acquired a number of scuff marks and imperfections.

She watched as Jasper closed his eyes and breathed in deep through the nose. She knew what he was doing, she had seen it done time and time again but it never failed to fascinate her. This was what Bella loved about photographing actors—the moment they adapted the character's persona never failed to give her shivers, especially a dark and troubled character.

With a smile of anticipation, she lifted her camera.