Page 86 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

“When I was pregnant with Kaelyn, Jake was really accommodating. Essentially, he made me a bar manager and put me on paperwork duty. He always made sure someone was working with me who could do the heavy lifting and always put me on day shifts. If I had an appointment, he ensured my shift was always covered, even if he had to do it himself. He’ll do the same for you.”

I blow out a deep breath. “Working in my brother’s bar was certainly never the dream.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t mine either, but honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. I get to work with my best friends. We’re more like a family than anything.”

“Lach says the same thing.” A slow smile stretches across my lips. “While I love the atmosphere, I don’t know if it’s what I see myself doing for the rest of my life.”

“You’re a photographer, right?”

“Was.” I give her the short version of my lackluster photography career from having my own studio, then losing it, to my most recent failure as an assistant.

“What if you did that again? Build your own photography studio.”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “I’m thirty-four weeks pregnant with zero energy. I do not have two brain cells to rub together in order to open a business again.”

Rylee’s eyes light up like the flip of the switch on a neon bar sign. “Here me out. You have all the photography equipment, right? Camera. Lights. That kind of stuff.”

My brows pinch together. I’m not entirely sure where she’s going with this. “Um. Yeah.”

“I’ve had an idea for a present for Trey. But didn’t know how to exactly go about it because it’s Trey, and he’s sort of protective.” She leans in so only I can hear. “How would you like to do a boudoir photo shoot?”

“I’ve never actually done one. I don’t have a studio or anything.” I’m familiar with the style of photos, but I’ve only ever done weddings, family portraits, and graduations. Boudoir photos are intimate, sensual, and romantic. They’re empowering—why have I never done these before?

Rylee rests a hand on my forearm, excitement radiating from her pores. “We can do it at my house. We can set up in the basement. Or I have this antique chaise longue in the living room. Or the bedroom. I’ll make sure Trey and the kids are gone. I’ll provide the space if you can provide the skills. And of course, I’ll pay. Plus, I know Trey would be more comfortable if it was another woman versus a man taking the photos. I don’t need him roaming the city wanting to rip some guy’s head off.” Rylee chuckles and shrugs a shoulder.

Rylee’s eagerness is infectious. I’d love to get back into photography. I can easily do this. Even while pregnant. I’ll justneed help to haul some of the heavier equipment. A spark of hope ignites inside my chest.

“Let’s do it.” This is my leap of faith. My fear of failure has always prevented me from resuming professional photography. But opportunities are fleeting, and I don’t want to miss out on any more.

Nora strolls into Porter’s for her shift and stops at the bar. “What are we doing?”

“Eve’s going to do a boudoir photoshoot for me.” Rylee beams.

“Yes! I call dibs for next!” Nora raises her hand in the air. “I’ve always wanted to do one of those for myself. Then I can hang the photo over my bed.”

Rylee claps her hands together. “I bet Dessa, Olivia, Charlie, Parisa, Hollyn, and Tatum would all book sessions with you. We could fill your calendar for the next three months.”

My head spins with this idea, but the warmth that fills my body tells me this is exactly what I should be doing. I’m buzzing with anticipation of getting started. Tears prick my eyes. I’m doing this. I wipe them away. Both Rylee and Nora’s gazes shoot to mine. Concern etches on their faces.

“Sorry,” I sniffle. “Happy tears. I blame it on the pregnancy. I think I’ve cried more in the past three months than I have in my entire life.”

Rylee laughs. “Oh, the uncontrollable hormones. I don’t miss those.” She wraps her arms around me in a hug.

Before my shift is over, Rylee and I figure out a date that will work best for the photoshoot.

When I arrive home, Lach is sitting on the couch drawing on his iPad. As I close the door behind me, he looks up and sets the iPad on the coffee table. He rises to his feet and greets me at the door with a chaste kiss.

I bite my lips together, eager to share my news with him. “So you’ll never guess what happened today.”

“What’s that?”

He grabs my purse from me and follows me into the kitchen. He sets it on the kitchen island, and I drop a stack of mail in my hand next to it. “I’m going to do a boudoir photoshoot for Rylee.” I flash him a wide grin.

“I don’t know what that is.”

“It’s a photography style that’s more sexy and romantic with lingerie. She wants to give the photos to Trey as a gift.”

He frowns, holding up his palm. “I don’t need to hear any more about my friends in lingerie.” He drops his hand and wraps it around my waist. “More importantly, you’re going to get back into photography?”

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