16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Eliza
“What kind of pizza do you like?”
Nick glances over at me, a playful glint in his eyes. “I’m a classic pepperoni guy myself. How about you?”
I smile back at him. “I’m a big fan of Hawaiian pizza, actually. I know, I know, pineapple on pizza is controversial, but there’s just something about the sweet and savory combo that I love.”
Nick chuckles. “It’s settled then. We’ll get a Hawaiian for you and a pepperoni for me.”
“Sounds perfect.” As I settle into the booth, contentment washes over me. Maybe it’s the successful photoshoot, or maybe it’s Nick’s company, but I feel a sense of peace that I haven’t felt in a long time.
“So, how did the photoshoot go with the kiddos today?” he asks, his gaze warm and attentive. “Was it what you expected?”
“It was even more enjoyable than I anticipated,” I reply, feeling a warmth spreading through me as I recount the day’s events. “And on the way out, I stopped and talked to Alison. She wants me to come back regularly to do family portraits.”
“That’s amazing!” Nick beams at me, genuine happiness shining in his eyes. “You’ll be the go-to photographer in town before you know it.”
“I sure hope so. I’d love to venture into weddings one day, but family portraits are a great start.”
“Well, what’s stopping you from pursuing weddings now?” Nick inquires, raising an eyebrow in genuine curiosity.
“Weddings are just a big responsibility and I’ll need to build up my portfolio before anyone would seriously consider hiring me for such an important occasion. I don’t even have any photos of couples in my portfolio at the moment,” I reply, feeling a pang of insecurity. “But hopefully, with more photoshoots like today, I can start to build that up.”
Nick leans back in his seat, studying me with a thoughtful expression. “You know, you did just take photos of us at the orchard. Why not add a few of those to your portfolio? ”
I blink at him, caught off guard by his suggestion. “But those were just for fun, not a professional shoot.”
“Eliza, those photos were amazing,” Nick insists, his eyes locked on mine. “I know we’re not a couple, but it’s at least a start. It could help draw in potential clients.”
It’s true that the photos turned out beautifully, capturing genuine moments between us. But would it be misleading to potential clients?
“I didn’t even think about that,” I admit, swirling my straw in my water glass. “Do you really think they’re good enough to include?”
“Absolutely,” Nick replies without hesitation. “Plus, we do look pretty good together, if I do say so myself.” He winks.
“Okay, okay, fine. I’ll consider it.” I laugh. “But how the heck am I ever going to repay you? If I post those photos, you’ll have been my model twice .”
Nick grins mischievously. “I have an idea.”
“What’s that?”
“You let me teach you how to drive your Granny’s truck and we can call it even,” he suggests.
“That’s how you’d like to be repaid? By doing me another favor?” I shake my head, chuckling at his proposal. “You’re something else, but deal. You teach me how to drive a stick shift, and I’ll add those photos to my portfolio.”
Nick’s grin widens at my agreement. “Deal. ”
Our pizza finally arrives, and Nick and I continue to chatter as we eat, easily falling into a comfortable rhythm of conversation. We talk about everything and nothing, sharing stories, jokes, and opinions.
“And where did you learn how to be so handy?” I ask him.
Nick grins, dabbing at his mouth with a napkin before replying, “My dad. He was always working on something around the house when I was growing up. I used to shadow him, handing him tools or just watching him fix things. I guess it just rubbed off on me.”
“That’s really cool,” I say, impressed. “Was he a volunteer fireman too?” I wink, half-joking.
“No.” He smirks. “But he was the bravest man I knew; always putting others before himself, always ready to lend a helping hand. Even when he was sick with cancer, he still found ways to help out our neighbors and friends. I learned a lot from him, not just about fixing things but about being a good person.”
I feel a lump form in my throat at Nick’s words. It’s clear how much he admires his father, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness for the loss he experienced.
“He sounds like an amazing man,” I say softly, reaching out to squeeze Nick’s hand in a gesture of comfort.
He looks down at our hands, a soft smile playing on his lips. “He was. And I like to think that I’m carrying on his legacy in my own way.”
“You’re definitely making him proud,” I tell him, feeling a swell of emotion in my chest. “I can see his goodness in you. ”
“Thank you, Eliza. That means a lot coming from you.” His voice is quiet, almost reverent, as if he’s sharing a part of himself that few others have seen.
And I feel honored to be let in.
“Wow,” I gasp as Nick slows the truck down as we reach the clearing of Botner Creek. “I had no idea this existed.”
“Yeah, my cabin is just over the hill.” He points to a gate in the trees. “This is my favorite spot. I come down here all the time … and the fall colors around it make it that much more beautiful.”
“I see why you like it.” I take in the clear stream of water, the river rock glistening under the soon-to-be setting sun. The clearing where the creek runs is surrounded by large trees, all speckled with a beautiful blend of yellow, orange, and red leaves.
“There’s a dirt road a little ways from here that’ll be perfect to practice on,” he explains, speeding up again. I won’t lie, watching the man shifting gears in the old truck had been strikingly entertaining. It’s like riding with a racecar driver.
Before I know it, we’ve arrived at what appears to be an endless dirt road. Nick and I have switched seats, and it’s my turn to drive.
Ready or not. This is happening .
“That’s the clutch.” Nick points to the pedal on the left. “You’re gonna press that down to shift gears.”
“I’m probably going to kill the engine,” I say, stomping the clutch and shifting the stick into first gear—well, what I think is first gear.
He’s got a glint in his eye that makes me smile, and I shake my head at him. “You’re gonna do just fine. Let off the clutch easy and give it a little gas.”
“I can’t mess it up, can I?” I give him a worried look before doing as he says.
“You can explode the entire truck if you don’t get your timing right.”
I roll my eyes. “Ha ha. Okay, Mr. Smarty Pants, no more listening to you.”
He leans back and chuckles, like he’s not putting both of our lives at risk by teaching me to do this.
I slowly let off the clutch and give it some gas.
The truck lurches forward…
And then dies.
“Ugh!” I facepalm myself. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“Yes, you can.” Nick chuckles, smiling at me. “It might take a second to get the feel for it, but you will. Just try it again.”
I take a deep breath, put the truck back in neutral, and start it again, going through Nick’s instructions in my head again.
“This is going to take all night.”
“Lucky for you, I’ve got nowhere to be. ”
I shoot him a look as he bursts into laughter. Shaking my head, I refocus, releasing the clutch and tapping the gas…
And it doesn’t die this time.
“All right!” Nick cheers, giving me a thumbs up. “Now, let’s get moving.”
“We are moving,” I say, eyeing him. “I think this is a win in and of itself.”
“Yeah, at a snail’s pace. Go ahead and give it some gas, and shift into second.” He shows me the pattern again, and nods.
Ugh.
My heart flutters anxiously as I shift, the truck lurching again. I catch my breath, halfway bracing for it to die, but it doesn’t.
Yes!
“See, not a big deal. Let’s keep rolling down this road.” Nick points down the endless dirt road. “And then we’ll practice stops and takeoffs. Those will be the hardest when it comes to getting used to driving. You’re a natural though.”
“I’m not,” I correct him with a laugh. “You’re being way too nice to me about this.”
“When I taught my sister how to drive a standard, she seriously killed it over and over for the first two days of practicing. I would give yourself a little credit, Eliza.”
I nod. “I keep forgetting you have a sister. Where does she live, again?”
“She actually lives about three hours away with her husband and their two kids. ”
“Is she older than you?”
“No, she’s actually four years younger than me. She’s just way further ahead when it comes to settling down than I am.”
“I know that feeling,” I comment, thinking of my brother. “My older brother is married and lives in Germany, but they don’t have kids yet. I think they’re planning to soon though. They’ve spent the last few years traveling.”
“Ah, that sounds sophisticated.” Nick chuckles. “I haven’t really traveled much. I’ve never even been out of the country.”
“I’ve only been out of the country a few times,” I go on to say, ignoring the fact that it was always with Devon.
“Where have you been?”
“Mexico, Italy, and Germany,” I say, focusing my eyes on the road. “It was fun, but don’t feel like you’re missing out on much. I love the sense of community here; I don’t think I’d leave much if I grew up in a place like this.”
“Really?” He sounds genuinely surprised as I bring the truck to a stop. “I feel like most people think the opposite—like I might be close-minded and unadventurous.”
“Well, you’ll get out in your own time. Not everyone wants to travel the world. To each their own,” I say as I grit my teeth, practicing the take-off again. Lucky for me, I don’t kill the engine again.
“What kind of person are you?” Nick asks me.
“Um.” I hesitate, not totally sure. “I think I’m a mixture of both, really. I like to see new places, but I want to live in a place like this—a place that’s cozy and always feels like home. ”
He’s quiet for a moment. “That’s a good balance.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
We spend the next hour or so practicing taking off and shifting, and before too long, I have it down with ease, maneuvering the truck without any issues at all. Nick grins from ear to ear as we come to the end of the gravel road.
“All right, let’s see what you got,” he dares me as I take in the entrance to the two-lane highway.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” I waver, looking over to him.
“You are ready, Eliza.” He places a warm hand on my shoulder. “Give this baby some gas.”
I laugh, feeling light. “Okay, here goes nothing.” I carefully let off the clutch and give it gas, the old truck roaring out onto the highway. With what I feel like is precision, I shift through the gears, only jerking the truck slightly.
“See.” He turns to me. “You’re a natural!”
“Oh stop.” I giggle, swatting his arm. “You’re just trying to flatter me.”
“Take the compliment.” Nick’s voice grows more serious. “You really don’t know how amazing you are. I’m really proud of you.” Nick grins.
I can’t help but shift my eyes to him, surprised by his words. No one other than my family has ever told me they were proud of me, and definitely not over something as silly as driving a standard transmission truck.
I’m … touched .
Nick’s got a smile on his face that could light up a room, and for the first time since meeting him, all I can think about is how thankful I am for it.
They’re just pictures.
That’s what I’m telling myself as I watch the three photos of Nick and I load onto my photography page.
He was right. They’re too good not to share. And now that I’m about to have a steady stream of business, I’m positive they’ll soon be buried. But someone looking for a couple’s photographer won’t miss them, and that’s what matters.
Just as they’re loaded, a notification for a new follower pops up on the screen of my laptop, and I smile. My photography Instagram is amassing quite a few new followers. I click on the notification to open it…
And my smile quickly fades.
Devon.
“Why the heck are you following my page?” I mutter under my breath, irritation mixed with a little heartache slipping into my chest. I haven’t talked to him since arriving in West Falls.
My mouse hovers over his name, my mind daring me to click the button and see what he’s up to. I mean, I haven’t looked at his social media in over a month … What could it hurt? I chew the inside of my cheek, my heart jumping up a notch.
It’s just a peek.
But somehow, it feels like if I give into the urge to snoop on him, I’d be letting him win. I don’t want him to think that I’m still hung up—
Am I still hung up on him?
My eyes drift back to the pictures of Nick and I for some reason, and my stomach knots up. But I don’t give myself the chance to think about it any further.
I snap my laptop closed and take a deep breath.
It’s better to just not even go there .