Through the Lens (Click Duet #1) (Bay Area Duet Series) Persephone Autumn (black authors fiction TXT) 📖

Angeles, and people aren’t stalking celebrities. Not that I consider myself one. For the most part, when people spot celebrities here, they just whisper and go on with life.

She spins her fork in a circle on her napkin. “I hope you’re right.”

We finish breakfast in silence, and I take the time to do a self-evaluation of how I feel.

Being around Cora stirs up loads of memories and emotions I suppressed for years. But I can’t ignore how I feel when near her. The way my heart rattles my ribcage. Or how my stomach quivers with excitement. Of course, I plan to follow etiquette and maintain a professional appearance while working, but once “off the clock” I cannot speak for my actions. I also won’t resist what is right in front of me.

Because each moment I have with Cora, I intend to take full advantage. This shoot could be complete happenstance. Or maybe it is kismet. Personally, I believe in the latter.

After Alyson and I leave the restaurant, we stop at the juice place up the street. Cora had one of their juices the other day, so I Googled the business. Once I buy something for each of us, even grabbing a duplicate of Cora’s drink for Erin, we jump back in the car and drive up the street to the main hub of downtown.

It is eight-thirty in the morning on a Thursday, and the streets already have people walking and bicycling everywhere. Downtown Dunedin is a quaint place. I hadn’t come here much when I lived in the area, but I can see I missed out.

Restaurants and boutiques and eclectic shops line the streets. People bustle along the sidewalk, going from one shop to the next. Some people just sit on benches under trees and chat about what a nice day it is outside. And as busy as it is, it’s not busy at the same time. Everyone is friendly as smiles are shared amongst complete strangers.

It’s pieces of home like this that make me want to return.

Don’t get me wrong. There are many stretches of California I love. Forests and mountains and waterfalls. Many I would love to show to Cora, knowing her love for the wilderness. But I haven’t been anywhere resembling this. The happy town with ever happier residents. Everyone shares warm greetings and pleasant words and exchanges hugs. It makes me homesick for a place I haven’t called home in a long time.

Alyson parks the car in a small lot near the epicenter of downtown and we walk over to the outdoor trail, standing in the shade. Cyclists whip past us, waving and smiling. Dogs sniff the grass as they walk alongside their owner. People window shop the storefronts nearby.

“She emailed me early this morning and said for us to meet her here,” Alyson tells me.

A moment later, Cora and Erin pull into the parking lot at the same time and park beside Alyson’s rental car. My eyes remain fixed on Cora behind my sunglasses as she gets out of the car and strolls to the back hatch, opening it and taking out her camera bag.

“Check yourself, Hunt,” Alyson chirps behind me.

“Did I do something, Miss Jameson?” I curl my lip at her. She is really starting to piss me off.

“First, remember that you hired me to do exactly what it is I am doing. Second, don’t take that tone with me. You will respect me.” Alyson stares at me like a mother scolding a child. In some respects, she is correct. I did hire her to keep me “in line.”

But she also needs to remember her place in the grand scheme of things.

“I know what I hired you to do. And since I’m the one signing your paycheck, I suggest you check yourself. I’m fully aware of my boundaries. And if I want to cross them, it’ll be when the shoot is done. Which, by the way, is only a few days from now.” I pause and lower my voice since Cora and Erin are walking our way. “I’ll be here a few days after the shoot ends, I intend on enjoying that time however I see fit.”

Alyson purses her lips. “You’re the boss.”

Damn right I am. Best you remember.

Cora and Erin step up and I hand them the juices I bought them. “Good morning, ladies. Just something to help keep you going today.”

Cora’s lips curve up at the corners while Erin blushes at the gift. It’s just juice, not a bundle of flowers. Maybe Erin is naturally timid and the rosiness comes easily. Or there is the possibility she knows about the “meeting” last night. Whatever, it doesn’t bother me either way.

I glance down at the chunky watch on my wrist to see it is just after one when we wrap up for the day. This shoot dragged out longer due to the amount of pedestrian traffic we had to avoid for photos. It’s challenging to capture someone’s face, and their attire, when people walk all around you.

Erin heads to her car, and Alyson to the rental. I tug on Cora’s hand and keep the two of us by the trail for a minute, giving us a fraction of privacy while we talk.

“What’s up?” she asks, her tone casual and light.

“Just wanted to say thanks again. For not walking away from me last night. And for hanging out. Was nice to see you outside of all this.” I wave my hand around us.

“It was nice,” she says as a smile softens her features. “Do you want to go out with everyone tomorrow? We’re going bowling.”

“I’d love to. Who’s everyone?”

“Me, Erin, Shelly, and Jonas. We can ask Micah, too. If you want.”

All but one of those names is familiar. “I’ll text Micah and see if he wants to go. Who’s Jonas?” Because I really want to know. Jonas is not the name of any female I have ever met. Micah would have told me if Shelly has a boyfriend. And Erin seems too