Sophie sighs, hands me her shoes, and pulls up the hem of her long dress. “I’m not doing that kind of shoot. I already told you I’m not comfortable with it.”
“And I already told you that you can wear your wedding gown, lingerie, or whatever you want. The idea is to show off the sexy side of you.”
Sophie snorts. “I don’t have a sexy side.”
“Yes you do. You just don’t know it yet.” I point. “Stand there and turn away from me, like you’re considering swimming into the bay.”
She laughs again as she turns. “With the mermaids?”
“You know that’s why mermaids swim around topless all the time, right? It’s because their boobs are too big and all bras are C shells.” It’s the worst joke I can think of, but it works.
Sophie looks over her shoulder at me and right before she makes a horrible face, I get the perfect shot. Her lips are parted and the worry line between her brows is gone. The setting sun highlights her hair and outlines her dress like it’s made from moonbeams. It’s perfect.
But she has no idea what I’m doing, so she looks appalled. “That is the worst joke I’ve ever heard. Like, ever.”
“Well, D shells don’t fit and that’s why I can’t swim away and be a mermaid.” I sigh and look past her at the bay, wondering what life would be like if I didn’t have to grow up and do this alone.
Sophie wades back to shore and puts her hand on my shoulder. “Come on, let’s head to the rehearsal before we’re either late or you’re abducted by mermaids with big boobs. Knowing you, you guys would form a club and I’d never see you again.”
I burst out laughing and look down at my girls. “I don’t think I’d make the cut.”
“Don’t be silly. You’d be their leader.” Sophie and I walk back up to the house and just before we head down the road to the chapel, I tell her to go ahead. In a warning tone, she scolds, “Skylar.”
Palms up, I back away. “I’m going to get my gear. Damn, Soph. You can’t be suspicious of me the entire time. I only have my camera. I need my bags and reflectors and stuff. You know that.”
“Fine, but leave Nick alone.”
I smile broadly and my brows jut up, hiding beneath my bangs. “You like him.” It took me a while to realize it, but she actually respects him. What the hell? “Sophie, he’s the dick that’s putting me out of business! How can you like him?”
“I don’t like him!” She shushes me and leans in, grabbing my elbow conspiratorially as she does it. “I just think that something seems off. How can a guy so nice be such a jerk?”
“Uh, because he is a jerk?”
“Sky.”
“Soph.”
I make a noise in the back of my throat and pull away. “No, we’re not doing this now. Go to the rehearsal. I’ll be right behind you.”
Sophie nods and walks off. The place we’re staying has grounds with little paths that lead everywhere. Sophie’s mother and father pass me on the front steps of the inn and hurry to catch up with her. I catch a glimpse of her dark eyes watching me slip inside. Thank God she left me. I’m not messing with his gear at all. I wouldn’t do that. There just needs to be a little accident that looks like a mistake. I know exactly what to do.
CHAPTER 13
I already have my gear. I stashed it in the maid’s closet down the hall from our room. I head there first to make sure everything is all right. I didn’t trust leaving it in the room with Nick all day. He’s in there now, getting ready. Earlier today, he followed Sophie around without telling me. The man was up at the crack of dawn and took some sunrise shots that I don’t have. He didn’t take a shower before he left, so he came back to the room about an hour ago to get ready for tonight.
I hoist my gear bag onto my shoulder, grab the little screwdriver, and head toward our door. I work each screw on the old knob until they’re barely hanging on. When he grabs the knob, it’ll come off in his hand leaving Nick stuck in our room. This hotel is really old, so it’s the kind of thing that could happen. And no one is around at the moment to let him out. I hear him moving around in the bathroom and grin, pleased with myself.
After putting the screwdriver back in the maid’s closet, I head to the rehearsal with a huge smile on my face. Just as I walk upon the group, I hear Mandy’s voice behind me. “Trailer Trash.” I don’t turn, so she follows me. “You’re going to lose this bet. Ask me how I know?” She’s grinning like an evil fish.