That’s when I hear his voice, Nick’s. He’s on the landing below. The carpeting muffles the sound, so he doesn’t know we’re there.
“I know and I am.” He speaks firmly, but I have the clear distinction that someone is talking down to him. Silence and then, “Nothing will change and it’s already done, just make sure she doesn’t find out.” He sighs and I peer over the railing. He’s wearing the clothes he had on last night. They’re rumpled like he slept in them. Nick runs one hand over his head and growls into his phone, “I said I can do this and I have. This is the final nail. I told you I could do it, so you better hold up your end of the deal.” I back away from the railing when he ends the call.
Nick is sitting on a step and staring at the wall. It seems like this is the last place he wants to be, and right now, this is the last place Sophie wants to be, but it’s too late. Nick stretches, sighs and looks straight up—our eyes lock.
He was talking about me. He had to be. Even so, I can’t shake this feeling that something’s off. Nick is all business and always has been. I decide that I’m going to act like nothing’s happening. I take Sophie’s hand and drag her reluctantly past him. I expect him to pelt me with questions, but he doesn’t.
When I brush past him, Nick is still sitting on the step. He reaches for my hand, stopping me. “Sophie, can you give us a minute?”
“No, she can’t.” I pull away and all the magical qualities of his touch fade. It’s the worst feeling in the world.
Nick doesn’t move. “I’m sorry about last night and I’m glad you weren’t hurt. I never thought you’d go out the window.”
I turn and look first at him and then back at Sophie. “There are some people who are worth jumping for.”
He offers a weak smile. “I suppose there are.” He stands, dusts off his pants, and adds, “And I’m done with pranks. Again, I’m sorry.”
No! What is he doing? He can’t act sweet one second and stoic the next. I’m starting to gnash my teeth, but Sophie grabs my arm. “Come on, Sky.”
I nod and follow her out, ranting non-stop about Nick. I must have said his name forty times by the time we reach the cove. “Sophie.” I whine her name like I’m twelve again. “What do I do with him?”
She smiles in a very un-Sophie-like manner, all sultry, and says, “Kick his ass and then take it from there.” Sophie’s dark hair hangs down her back and looks black against her pale skin. “So, should I dive in or what?”
Grinning, I reply, “I have a few ideas. How much skin do you want to show?”
“Whatever you think works. Let’s go. I’m freezing.”
“All the better for sexy pictures, my dear.”
We shoot in the early morning light. I expect Nick to come, but he doesn’t. I promised I wouldn’t shoot without him. I’m wondering if that makes the bet messed up. If he doesn’t shoot boudoir pictures of Sophie, then, while judging, she’d know these were all mine. I say what I’m thinking and she puts her hands on her hips and gives me the duh face. “So, we’re cheating?”
“No, just bending things in your favor—just a little bit.” I raise a brow at her. “Okay, a lot. You’re going to win. Period. I’m picking one of these.”
“You realize you have to display the winning picture in the lobby, right?”
Sophie’s brows come together. “What? When did you say that?”
“I didn’t. Your ass faced cousin did.” Sophie’s smile falls. “Well, then these might be a little revealing for that.”
“I’d do it just to piss off my mom.”
Sophie laughs, “You totally would, but I don’t think I could. Mr. Stevens—uh, Dad—will never look at me the same way again.” My face burns and I look away before she notices.
“So, do you want to do this last part or not?”
“I don’t do halfsies.” Sophie slips off the rock and into the water. Her gown sticks to her porcelain skin and becomes completely transparent.
I tell her what to do and she does it. Sophie hugs the rock, climbs on the rock, lays on the rock, and then floats by me with a serene smile on her face. The red lips, black hair, blue water, and golden sunlight make it completely perfect. And that piece of lingerie, being totally sheer, makes the shot sexy as hell. I wish I had a picture of me like this. Sophie looks like a goddess—I’ll have to ask Amy which one. That’s the picture, though, the best one I’ll take, and no one will see it because of what water does to white. But that’s what makes it sensual. If she hadn’t been clothed, it wouldn’t have the same effect. The image is sublime and totally perfect.