Chapter Fifteen

The scene at Strike a Pose Photography was reminiscent of a reality television show with a half dozen handsome guys walking around in tuxedos. Norah was in the process of collecting information to include in the program. Along with the usual biographical stuff, she wanted to have some fun facts for the M.C. to read out when each bachelor was announced. Lance had suggested some great dating game type questions to ask. He also volunteered to help her do the interviews.

It had been three days and as many sleepless nights since she temporarily lost her mind and wanted him to kiss her. The fact that she couldn’t forget about it was more troubling to her than not being able to explain why it happened in the first place. Easily dwarfing everything else was the guilt of knowing how easily Perry had been forgotten. Norah didn’t need Dr. Phil to tell her that these weren’t the actions of a woman who was supposed to be in love.

Perry’s arrival half way through the morning was actually a relief. His larger-than-life presence was reassuring in a way she didn’t want to question. When he was around, there wasn’t room for doubts or insecurities. It was ironic that the man she’d once wanted to avoid had become her safe place; a defense against her confused and misunderstood thoughts about Lance.

Someone tapped on her shoulder. Norah knew who it was before she turned around.

“I’m done with my half of the list,” Lance said, smiling down at her.

“Already?” she said, annoyed by how breathless she sounded. “You were quick.”

“That’s because these guys aren’t interested in flirting with me. How many times have you been asked for your number?”

“Twice.”

“I’m shocked it’s not more. Who do you have left?”

“Just Niles the marine biologist and Perry.”

“Saving the best for last?”

It took her a few seconds to realize what he meant. “You guessed it.”

He laughed, his blue eyes twinkling. “I’ll talk to Niles; that way you’ll have more time for Perry.”

“Thanks.”

The photo sessions hadn’t been without their comical moments. Once word got out that some of the pictures would be used for a calendar, things got crazy. In the blink of an eye, there were shirtless guys in Santa hats everywhere. The one who wasn’t anywhere to be found was Perry.

Norah finally tracked him down in the reception area. Standing in the doorway, as yet unseen, she was struck by the earnestness with which he and Louise’s assistant Angela were conversing. Strangely enough, she was more curious about how they knew each other than jealous of the air of intimacy between them.

Perry suddenly turned his head and saw her. He flashed his infectious grin. “Time for the group photo?”

“Just about. Right now we’re trying to get everyone to keep their clothes on. I’ve never seen so many men in a hurry to show off their muscles.”

Perry laughed as he walked over to join her. “I leave the room for ten minutes and chaos breaks out.”

Once they were out of earshot, she said, “I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation with Angela.”

He reached for her hand. “You can interrupt me any time.”

“Is she one of your ex-girlfriends?”

“Yes. We broke up not long before I ran into you.”

“Was it serious?”

Perry pressed a kiss on her hair. “None of my relationships were serious until now.”

She smiled. “Good answer.”

“It also happens to be the truth.”

Instead of making her happy, Norah was overcome with guilt. It didn’t help that the first person she saw when they walked into the studio was Lance.

* * * * *

All was quiet now, a striking contrast to the way it had been earlier. Lance and Louise were sitting in her office. She placed a cup of coffee in front of him and sat down behind her desk.

“How’s my sister-in-law doing?”

“Carolyn’s as bossy as ever.”

“It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since she and Edwin got married.”

“Maybe for you. Carolyn never lets me forget what I’m missing out on.”

Louise looked amused. “Evidently you decided to do something about it. When you and Norah get ready to make your wedding plans, come see me.”

“Me and Norah?” Lance repeated dumbly. “Where did you get that idea?”

“From watching the two of you this morning.”

Lance did a quick mental review. “We hardly spoke.”

“That’s just it. You didn’t have to. You communicated with no more than a glance and an exchange of smiles.” She stopped and laughed. “You even finished each other’s sentences.”

“That’s because we think similarly about a lot of things. It doesn’t mean we’re a couple.”

“Maybe you should consider it. You’d make a good one.”

Someone else had said that. Who was it? “We’ll never know. Norah is dating Perry Cabot.”

“Really? That’s disappointing. I’ve seen more chemistry between my desk and chair than I sensed between them.”

Lance wasn’t sure why he felt the need to defend another couple’s behavior, but he found himself doing it anyway. “This wasn’t the best circumstances to observe them.” Even as he said it, he was aware of the holes in that argument. “What I mean is, they were probably downplaying their attachment.”

Louise shrugged. “If they were that successful, there may not be much to cover up. In my experience, when two people are in love, it’s impossible to hide it. You can see it from a mile away. But we’re not here to talk about them. Today was a lot of fun. We got some great formal pictures for the program and some very informal ones to use in the calendars.”

“Yeah, some of the guys really let their hair down. I appreciate you being willing to take this on. I know it’s not your usual sort of job.”

“I was happy to do it. It was a nice break from weddings and anniversary parties. I’ll give Norah a call when I’ve got the pictures ready.”

“Sounds good.”

As Lance drove home, he did his best to dismiss the conversation with Louise. The last thing he needed was to start having false hope. All that talk of ‘chemistry’ was just that: talk. He knew Norah was in love with Perry. She told him so herself.