5

The only time I don't overthink anything is when my eyes focus through my camera's lens. Snapping a shot is an innate response that's an easy part of me; an extension of myself. I'm confident in the lighting, the pose, the surroundings, and the triumph of the finished photo. I know what a client wants in their ads; the artistry of selling an image, the perfection of a natural pose, and how I direct their winning look in my shot. I match them all together, and it's a win-win situation. Everyone gets what they want, and I walk away as the victor.

They come to me. I don't look for jobs. The agencies knock on my door and blow up my cell. Models, athletes, and actors want me to do their portfolios. I'm the best, and I pick and choose from the A-listers.

I pace around my studio like a trapped cat in a closed closet. Let me clarify. I don't always make the best choices in my personal life. I'm about to face the truth of my year-long anxiety.

I mumble, "Is the failure all me?"

"Honestly, Bella, stop blaming yourself."

I watch Ali trudge forward from the kitchen archway with a huge mug in her hand and the look of determination on her scrunched face. "I don't understand how you can be so insecure about Jacob."

I wonder how she manages to walk in her floor-length, full skirt and chunky shoes. "Be careful where you step. There are wires." Her colors alone will blind me.

She sighs, "I see them." She hands me the mug.

"Thanks. And I'm not insecure. I was clueless." I take a sip with my eyes still on her.

"My darling friend, when a man loves his image more than anything else, he's too selfish to have a relationship with anyone. You're in competition with him."

I roll my eyes.

She huffs, "Really? Please, that man would fuck himself if he could." Her eyes widen. "Ha, I bet he does."

"C'mon, Ali."

"C'mon, Ali, what? He never set you on fire! I swear, he never made an effort to get you wet."

I shake my head.

She smiles. "I don't hear you arguing with me."

As I sit on the black sofa, the leather grunts in protest. "True."

"So, you admit it?" she pursues and falls back onto the other end of the couch.

"Okay, yeah." I place my cup on the small end table and raise my arms in defeat. "You're right. It was only a physical attraction."

"I can't blame you, Bella. He's pretty on the eyes. But as soon as he opens his mouth, the only thing he talks about is himself. It's hard to connect. A narcissist is only involved with their mirror. You were never part of the equation. You took great pics, and he took advantage of your creative abilities."

"Hey, I got paid."

"Money means nothing when you're horny, and your boyfriend doesn't scratch your itch."

"Well, he'll be here to pick up his new headshots in a few minutes."

"Then, you'll release him?"

I sass, "Like the doves."

Once Ali leaves me to my thoughts, I feel better about my decision.

She yells, "Hey, you have a new client who insisted on talking with you in person. So, get Jacob out of here as soon as possible. I'll try to prep him, but anything I say goes in one ear and out the other."

"I already have a plan."

Her Cheshire cat grin appears as she purrs, "I bet you do."

Always on time, Jacob strolls through the door. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my neck. "It's great to see you, Babe."

Alice coughs, passing into the archway.

"Ah, you, too, Ali. You're looking good."

She mumbles, "Like you saw me."

His pearly whites gleam, breaking away from me and focusing on the counter. "This is great. You have my shots."

In one stride, he glides to his photos on the front desk. Sieving through one at a time, happily giggling with each one, he praises, "Bella, these are amazing." He turns to me, "Then again, you have me as the subject." He snickers. "Oh, I love this one. Wow, my abs are tight. Your lighting really captured the depth of my muscle."

I smile, "Yeah, well." I clear my throat. "That's as far as I can go with you, Jake. I was talking to a friend of mine, Seth Clearwater."

"Isn't he one of the photographers for Sports Illustrated?"

"Um, yeah. He asked me about you."

"He did?" He perks, " What did he want to know?"

"If you were interested in working with him."

"In what capacity?"

"He has a two-year project traveling throughout Europe, doing a fitness video."

Jake pumps a fist. "That could mean some major attention for me. Wait, didn't he win an Oscar last year for a short film?"

I nod, "He's hoping for another."

"This could be an amazing opportunity for me."

I smile, "Exactly."

"You're okay with this?" He surprises me with his reaction.

"Who am I to stand in the way of your career? Jake, you have to do what you have to do."

"You've been such a support for me, Bella. This means we'll be apart another few years."

I inhale a deep, full breath. "Yeah, I know."

He stutters, "W-w-well, I don't want to hold you back."

"Oh, you won't. Friends?"

He sighs in relief. "Yeah, friends."

I hand him the folder. "I put all his information in here. Call him right away."

He kisses me on the cheek. "You're the best." He hurries out my door.

Alice peeks her head from the archway, "You are the best. So, did Seth really ask for him?"

"Well, I knew he was thinking about this project, so I helped him a little and suggested Jake. He hemmed and hawed, at first, but I reminded him of a few favors he owed me."

"You sly dog."

There's a slight jiggle of the doorknob, the door slowly opens, and in walks the sweetest green eyes and the sincerest face.

Alice introduces us, "Bella, this is your new client, Edward Cullen. And Edward, meet Bella Swan."

He extends his hand to mine, and we stare at one another. His ears turn a blushing pink, and I swear I feel hot butterfly flames in my tummy.

Maybe he's the fire that has never been flamed …