I opened my eyes and saw Jeremy Gus. I jumped.
“Sorry,” he said, flattening his hands. “It’s just me.”
Amber heard the voice and flinched when she saw who was hovering over us.
“I’m Jeremy,” he said, reaching out a hand.
“We know,” I said, before my mind could catch up to my thoughts. Jeremy laughed, while Amber shot me a disgusted look. “I’m Della.”
“And I’m Amber,” she said, lifting her hand to shake his. I’d left my own hand literally hanging.
“Is this your dog?” he asked. Pixie leapt around his ankles. I felt an immediate surge of embarrassment.
“She’s mine,” I said. “Is she bothering you?”
“No,” he said. He sat down on the chair next to mine and lifted Pixie. “She’s a cutie. What’s her name?”
“Pixie,” I said. I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. I couldn’t believe my dog had established the introductions we were too afraid to make. And he liked her. As if Jeremy could get any dreamier.
“I miss my dog,” Jeremy said.
“What happened?” Amber said, popping up on her forearm. She was as excited as I was and didn’t want to be left out of the conversation.
“Nothing bad. She’s just back with my parents.”
“Your parents don’t live here?” I asked. I couldn’t even imagine such an adult world where one could be living on their own without parents.
“No. I live with my aunt. I go to the community college nearby and she’s nice enough to let me crash.” He thumbed the fur behind Pixie’s ear, making her swoon as much as we were.
“What do you study?” Amber asked.
“Photography.” He stood and walked back to his chair to retrieve a camera. It was a big professional type with a long lens and strap. “Want to see a picture of my dog?”
“Yes,” we said in unison, failing to keep our cool.
He hit buttons until he found the right picture and handed us the camera. It was a Great Dane.
“So sweet,” I said.
“I miss her. Seeing this little gal reminded me of her,” he said, cuddling Pixie again.
“What other pictures do you take?” asked Amber.
“Anything, really. Pretty landscapes. Cute animals. Now that I’m taking classes, I’ve even helped with some fashion shoots.”
“That’s awesome. I’d like to be a model one day,” Amber said proudly, although I’d never heard her say that before.
“Well, you’re pretty enough,” he told her. Then he looked at me. “You both are.”
I felt a wave of heat pass through my body, mixed with a twinge of nausea. I wasn’t used to boys being this forward. But again, Jeremy wasn’t a boy. He was in college. He was a man.
“Thanks,” I said.
“You really think so?” Amber asked, needing reassurance.
“Definitely,” he said, rubbing Pixie’s fur. “I could take your picture. Show you some of the stuff I’ve learned.”
“Really?” Amber sat upright. “That would be amazing.”
“I could take some pictures right now, if you want.” He put Pixie down and stood, holding his camera.
“Okay,” she said. “What should I do?”
“Move over here,” he said, pointing to a chair in the corner. “There’s better lighting.”
Amber did. I stood in the background and watched, half amused, half jealous.
“Now, just stand naturally,” he said. Amber obeyed, projecting her hip. “Perfect.” He lifted his camera and snapped a few clicks.
“How do I look?”
“Great. Fluff your hair a little bit,” he said.
She bent her head over and gave her locks a healthy shake. When she stood upright again, she had renewed confidence.
“Beautiful,” he said, snapping more shots. Then he looked at me, “Would you like me to take your picture?”
I was nervous and didn’t want to follow Amber. “I’m all right,” I said, crossing my arms over my body.
“Come on,” he said. “See how easy it is.”
Amber looked at me like I was the biggest idiot for not wanting to play along. Especially after Jeremy was kind enough to show us attention on a lazy summer day.
“Okay,” I said, standing in the same area where Amber had stood. The place with the good lighting.
“Great,” he said, raising the camera to cover his face. “Now just pose naturally. Put some bend in the knees—”
“What the hell are you doing?” Brian shouted. He appeared out of nowhere, standing by the entry gate. His arms were at his sides with clenched fists.
We all jumped. Jeremy lowered the camera and turned around. “Hey, man. Do I know you?” His casual tone was laced with fear.
Brian walked closer, until he stood a few steps in front of Jeremy. “I asked, what the hell are you doing?”
“Brian,” I said. “He’s just taking pictures.”
Brian’s body language didn’t react to hearing me, although he obviously did. “Is that all you’re doing, man?” He took another step toward Jeremy. His head inched forward, like an animal about to bite. “Taking pictures?”
“I take photography classes—”
Brian didn’t have to say anything for Jeremy to know it was wise to stop talking. He simply raised his hands, and Jeremy backed away.
“Go home,” Brian said. “Now.”
Jeremy looked down. Without making eye contact, he walked by us and retrieved his remaining belongings from the patio table. He slung the camera strap around his shoulder and left. Brian’s eyes followed him, even after the iron gate rattled shut.
“He’s a photographer,” Amber said, breaking the silence. “He was only taking our pictures.”
“The guy’s a fucking freak,” Brian said, snapping his head in our direction.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “He was only being nice, Brian.”
“You girls leave, too.” He walked a few steps to where we’d been sitting. He picked up my towel and threw it at me. Amber walked over and grabbed her pool bag. Pixie, who’d been lounging in the shaded grass area during this entire exchange, followed her.
“That was humiliating.” My voice was nasal and on the verge of being overcome with tears. I stomped past Brian, who remained standing by our chairs. Amber followed me.
Before closing the gate, I turned to look at Brian. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“Going for a swim,” he said.
