Page 36 of Sacrifice
“Yes, scroll down. Look at all the comments and shares. You’re frickin’ viral, Haelynn! People all over the world are gushing over you and Corbin in these pictures. It’s up to almost a half a million likes and thousands of shares. Can you believe it?”
Am I surprised people are seeing the talent Makenna has behind the lens? Not at all. Am I shocked by the response to the photos of me and Corbin? Abso-frickin-lutely.
I never thought of myself as photogenic, so I couldn’t believe it when she suggested doing the shoot with me, of all people.
It wasn’t until I scrolled through the pictures and I got chills. There were endless comments from people who all seem to think the same thing I have from the moment I met Corbin.
The connection I’ve felt when I’m near him is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s hard to put into words how I feel and to see people pick up on it through our pictures has tears pricking my eyes.
“Wow, this is amazing. I’m so happy for you!” I gush, shaking my head in amazement when I pass the phone back to her.
“Right! It’s unreal. Not to mention, I’ve had countless messages and emails from people, from other states and cities around Iowa, who want to schedule a session with me.”
My chest expands knowing how hard she’s worked and how much this means to her.
“You’re kidding!”
“Not at all. I had to turn the phone on out of office this morning just to focus on editing. I had over ten calls before nine and we weren’t even open yet. I could hardly keep up with it all. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“That’s incredible, Makenna. You deserve this!”
“Thank you, but I should be thanking you. It was you and Corbin they fell in love with. I just helped bring you two together.”
Heat warms spreads over my cheeks and Makenna giggles. “You’re blushing.”
“I know, but it’s just, I can’t help it. It’s crazy. It feels like it was just yesterday I moved here and so much has happened in a short period of time. I never expected to meet someone. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. I’m almost scared to admit it out of fear of losing it, but it’s the truth.”
“You glow when you talk about him. Even when I walked out of my office, I could see it on your face. You’re happy and you deserve it, Hae! Seriously, you do. I know you haven’t told me everything that’s happened between you and that asshole ex of yours, but I know you enough to know you’re a good person and friend. You’re an amazing mom to Huxie!”
She reaches her arms out and I stand, wrapping my arms around her in a hug and whisper a muffled, “Thank you,” in her ear.
My phone vibrates on my desk. Makenna doesn’t mind if I keep my phone on in case my mom or the school reach out about Huxton.
We break apart and I reach for my phone, checking and finding Corbin’s name on the screen. A slow smile spreads across my face, seeing it’s him.
“I texted him a link to the Facebook post this morning, and he replied back he was only a good model because of you.” She grins playfully, swatting my arm.
I purse my lips together and shook my head. “Of course, he did.”
“I’ve never seen him like this. To be honest, he’s lived the bachelor life since Alex first introduced us. He’s like a changed man now. Even the rest of the world is falling in love with the two of you together.”
I swipe the screen to open the message.
Corbin: Mornin’, beautiful. It looks like we’ve caught the attention of the internet and they seem to agree. I can never keep my hands off you when I’m around you.
I blush.
“What’d he say?”
“Nothin’...” I trail off. “He’s a smooth talker. That’s what worries me, there’s not a single thing wrong with him. Nothing that has me concerned or second guessing everything. Aside from it being too soon. There has to be something wrong with this man, some skeleton hiding in his closet.”
Makenna chuckles, looking from side to side, then shrugs.“I don’t think there is, Hae. If there was, I haven’t heard a thing about it.”
“It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop or that I’ll end up letting my own fears and insecurities get in the way somehow and it’ll ruin everything.”
“You can’t let it, though. If you let your mind create all these scenarios in your head of what could go wrong, you’ll never get a chance to truly see what it could be. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and trust where you land.”
“Yeah, I’ve done that before and now look where I am.”
