Holding up a hand, Patrick gave her a high five. “Yeah!” he said. “You’re right. It
is
going to be awesome. So, when would you like to do the shoot? And what do you have in mind, apart from me being shirtless?”
“As soon as possible, I suppose. When is your next day off work? It would be a good idea if we allocated a whole day. I doubt it’s going to take that long to get the perfect shot, but at least neither of us will be rushing to get anywhere. The more relaxed we both are, the better.”
“I have Friday off. Is that good for you? If not, I can look at the schedule for my shifts next week.”
“No, Friday is fine. I’ll check the weather forecast.”
He frowned. “Why would you need to do that?”
“Because the shoot’s going to be outside, of course.”
“It is? So, not only do I have to take my shirt off to be photographed, you want me to do it in public?”
“Not in
public
, exactly. Outside. I’m not about to make you pose in Times Square.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Okay, stop bitching and shut up. Want a drink?”
“You got beer?”
“I have. If I let you have one, will you hear me out?”
“I guess.”
After grabbing two bottles from the refrigerator, she handed one of the beers to him, opened hers, and sat.
She waited for him to take a slug before she began. “Okay, here’s my idea. If the weather is okay, I’d really like to do the shoot in Central Park. Originally I wanted to see if you could get a cute animal from the zoo to pose with or something, but then thought there’s no way that would be allowed. Plus, animals are a bitch to work with. But, I wanted to think of something that would be
you
since animals are a very important part of your life. Is there anything else you can think of that would be suitable? And doable?”
“The idea of doing it in the park is perfect. I’m outdoorsy, so that’s
me
anyway. Maybe I could wear hiking boots and pants, or something? Are my feet even going to be in the shots?”
With a laugh, she said, “I don’t know, yet. Though I’m so pleased you’re okay with doing it outdoors. The photo shoot, I mean!” She cringed.
“Oh, I dunno.” He winked. “I think doing
it
outside is pretty fun, too.” There was the old Patrick she remembered—the confident womanizer. The words weren’t aimed at her, but heat bloomed over her chest, neck, and cheeks anyway.
Clearing her throat, she carried on as though she hadn’t heard him, hoping he hadn’t noticed her blushing. “So, Central Park on Friday it is, then. And yeah, if you could dress like you’re going for a hike, that would be great. Want to meet me here at ten and we can head over together, scope it out? I don’t know exactly where I want to take the photos yet—it’s a pretty big place.”
In the time she’d lived in New York, she’d spent a lot of it in the park, mainly because she’d wanted to get out of the apartment, but still go somewhere she could be alone with her thoughts. As a result, she’d found several quiet spots in the enormous green space, even though it sat in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world.
She wanted to find one of those quiet spots, or one similar, to set a scene and get a bunch of good shots. With the whole day, it would be easier. They could avoid any possible rain showers—providing they didn’t last the entire damn day—and try different places if some didn’t work.
She sipped her beer and a warm feeling of satisfaction grew. A whole day doing something she loved with someone she liked,
and
if everything went to plan, they’d also be helping a charity—what could be better?
At ten o’clock on the dot, her buzzer sounded. She’d been ready for about fifteen minutes and should have used that quarter hour to tidy the apartment. So, rather than inviting him up, she grabbed her stuff and said, “Be right down.”
Emerging from the front door of the building, careful not to let the closing door whack her camera bag, she said, “Hey, good timing.”
Leaning against the wall, Patrick turned to face her and smiled. “Morning. And is that your slightly less patronizing way of praising me for being on time?” He winked.
“Good morning. And yeah, maybe.” She stuck out her tongue.
He held out his hand and she panicked before realizing he only offered to carry her bag. “Oh, thanks. Drop it and you die, Brogue.”
“Hearing you loud and clear, ma’am.” He hiked the bag carefully onto his shoulder, already laden with his own things.
Only then did she take in his outfit—beige cargo pants that zipped off just above the knee and hefty black hiking boots, plus a thin, waterproof jacket with a white T-shirt underneath. On his back, he carried a huge backpack.
“Wow, nice threads. You look like you should be modeling for North Face.” She started to walk in the direction of Central Park and he fell into step beside her.
“I’m modeling for you instead. That’s a lot better. I thought I’d better make the effort if I’m going to be in a bestselling charity calendar.”
“Well, it worked. I like it.”
“I’m glad to hear it. What’s even better is what’s in my bag.”
“Oh, do tell. I’m intrigued.”
“I’ve brought a picnic. The works, including soft drinks and beer. I figured, since we’re not driving anywhere, a little alcohol would be nice. It might even loosen me up before you start pointing that camera at me.”
Melodie raised her eyebrows. He’d never struck her as the domestic type, but then she’d never expected him to feel self-conscious about being photographed for the calendar, either. It seemed he’d changed from the immature, cocky philanderer she used to see on holidays and special occasions.
“I’m impressed. I’d planned to swing by the bakery on our way there, but it seems you’ve saved us some time. And me some cash.” She grinned. “Though I’m more than happy to reimburse you for my half. Providing you were going to share it, of course, not sit there stuffing your face while I watched!”
Patrick waved his hand. “Don’t be silly. I liked the idea, that’s all. If we get hungry or thirsty and we’re in a remote area of the park, it won’t matter. Plus, I’m a vet, and you’re a starving artist, so I can afford to pay.” He stepped away quickly as though expecting her to swing a punch or slap in his direction. Instead, she shook her head.
“It’s not nice to make fun of those worse off than you.”
Sidling back toward her, he slung his arm around her shoulders. “I’m only teasing you, Mel.” Her heart skipped a beat at the nickname. God, the only person who’d ever shortened her name that way was Sean.
When she stopped suddenly, he faced her. “Hey, I haven’t upset you, have I? I did say I’m only teasing. I know damn well you can hold your own.”
She shifted watery eyes up to meet his, probably looking like one of the doe-eyed damsels from a Disney film. For what felt like the millionth time since he’d walked back into her life, her emotions were getting the better of her. “S-sorry.” Trying to smile, she failed miserably. “Only Sean called me that.”
Patrick’s jaw dropped. “Ah, fuck,” he said with a mortified expression. “I’m really sorry, I had no clue. I thought it would be a pretty common nickname. I guess I stuck my foot in my mouth… again. Come here.”
She stepped into his open arms without hesitation. She needed comfort, and he offered it. Snuggling into his tight, hiking gear-clad embrace, she instantly felt better, although unsure whether because of the hug or the person giving it. She breathed in his scent—a combination of freshly laundered clothes and a delicious woodsy cologne.
Pulling away, she said again, “Sorry. I’m really going to have to get used to that. Sooner or later someone else is going to call me that, and I can’t have a breakdown every time, can I? It’s ridiculous. And somewhat pathetic.”
“You’re not pathetic. Far from it. You’ve had to cope with a lot and you’ve done remarkably well. Give yourself some credit. Now, come on, we’ve got work to do. Or you have, anyway.”
“Trust me, it’ll be hard work for you, too.”
After they entered the park. Melodie paused, thinking, then glanced at Patrick standing beside her, waiting patiently. She gave a decisive nod. “I think we should head to the Ramble.”
“What’s that? Pretty much what it sounds like?”
“Yeah, pretty much. Though I’m beginning to think we should have caught the subway.”
“Why, how far away is it?”
“I don’t know really, but Central Park is massive. Nearly eight hundred and fifty acres.”
“That’s okay. We have all day, don’t we? We can walk there to save us having to get all sweaty and have our personal space invaded on the subway.”
“You noticed that, huh?” She began walking again.
“Oh, yes,” he laughed, falling into step beside her. “People stand
real
close. I’ve had my butt groped a couple times.”
She gave a mock shudder then glanced up at the sky, where the sun did its best to fight its way from behind the clouds. “We may get sweaty even if we walk. But that’s okay—it’ll make your posing more authentic if you’ve got a light sheen of perspiration.”
“A light sheen of perspiration?” Patrick replied incredulously. “If it gets too hot, I’ll be sweating buckets!”
“Oh, stop fussing. I’m in charge, remember?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They peered at one another and shared a laugh. “Come on.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Let’s get to the Ramble and get you shirtless!”
They walked through the beautiful green space, stopping every now and again to admire views, monuments, bridges, and more.
“Wow,” he said. “I never knew this place had so much interesting stuff.”
“Yep. It’s got all sorts—an Alice in Wonderland statue, a Shakespeare Garden, war memorials, themed playgrounds, ponds, lakes, a castle—”
“A castle? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Where we’ll be isn’t too far from there, so we can always go check it out when we’re done with the shoot.”
“Sounds great. You could spend weeks in here and still not see everything.”
“That’s why I love it so much. There’s so much beauty, so much variety and fun, right in the heart of an incredibly busy city.”
She filled him in on the various things to see in the park and he oohed and ahhed and asked questions, stating he’d be back to see as many of them as possible.
“Well, I’m happy to play tour guide. Not that I know that much about many of the places, but I can find most of them.” Her offer surprised her, showing an interest in spending more time with him. Finding the man attractive was bad enough, but there were so many things wrong with getting together with her late fiancé’s brother she couldn’t even think of them all.
“That would be nice. I’m lucky to have someone I know living here. I make friends pretty easily, I always have, but I’ve known you for ages. Although, I suppose I didn’t really know you all that well until I moved here. God, that sounds weird, doesn’t it? I’ve known you for years, but not really.”
“A little, I suppose. But we know what the situation was—me and Sean were dating, and you were away at college most of the time, so we didn’t spend that much time together. Though we got along.”
“Of course. In some ways, Sean and I were alike, so I guess it made sense that I got along with his girlfriend. And, if you don’t mind me saying so, I always thought he had good taste. I was kinda jealous that my brother had such a hot girlfriend.”
Melodie coughed and spluttered. “Seriously? I had no idea you thought I was hot! Although….” She cast a forlorn glance at her body. “I was slimmer then, and way more toned.”
Patrick’s gaze followed hers, and he let out a little bark of laughter. “Are you nuts? You’re not hot, past tense. You’re hot, present tense. And actually, I think you’re hotter
now
. You were a little skinny before. Now you’re a gorgeous size. Perfect.”
“Have you been drinking those beers already?” she said, trying to hide her surprise at his words.
He rolled his eyes. “Take the compliment. God knows you’ve paid me enough of them.”
She shrugged and turned her attention to her surroundings. The temperature rose as the clouds blew away, affording them zero protection from the sun. Grinning, she said, “We should be able to get some amazing shots in this weather—maybe some beams of sunlight shining through gaps in tree canopies. I’m really excited about this.”
“I am too. I don’t mind being objectified for the sake of charity.” He winked.
Heading northward through the park, they stopped to check out the various attractions and areas of interest. Finally, they were swallowed into the shadows of the Ramble—its beautiful trees, rocks, hills, and valleys filling her with inspiration.
“Okay,” she said, after another few minutes of soaking in the atmosphere and breathing in the scents of nature. “I think this place is perfect.”
Patrick looked around and shrugged. “You’re the expert. Though it is very pretty.”
“Yes, it is. But it’s just the backdrop, remember. You’re the central focus of this photograph. It’s you the women will be swooning over, not that tree.”
Clearly uncomfortable with her words, he shrugged again. With the photo shoot imminent, his bravado seemed to have disappeared. “If you say so.”
“I do. Now hand me my camera bag and put your bag somewhere. Get rid of your jacket, first.”
He did as she asked—though not particularly quickly. She checked to see she had the right lens on her camera, and all the settings were correct for the current conditions.
“Are you almost ready?” Patrick stood next to the tree she’d chosen, a frown marking his handsome features. “I feel stupid standing here.” He shot an exasperated glance at a couple walking past, staring at him with open curiosity.
“Yeah, yeah,” Melodie replied, pulling the camera strap over her head. She grabbed the half-empty camera bag and moved off the path in his direction. “You’re going to feel even sillier soon.”
“How is that even possible?”
She pointed the camera at him. “Strike a pose, please.”