Off Camera (Love Through a Lens, #3)

by Chelsea Curto

“You’re pretty. Very pretty, and also the first woman who hasn’t made fun of me for liking superheroes. I’m wondering if my friends put you up to this as some sort of dare, because I’m not sure what the hell I did to have someone as gorgeous as you rattle off comic book titles at me.”

“And I’m sorry people have made fun of the things that bring you joy.”

“You don’t wear boat shoes to events where the dinner plate costs two hundred bucks a head?” “Fuck no,” he says. “Crocs only.”

She’s funny. Quick-witted and smart. Gorgeous and a total knockout. And when she dropped a comic book title into casual conversation like she was talking about the weather? My heart almost fell out of my chest.

I don’t even care that she probably lied about her name. The silver necklace with the letter A resting against her collarbone tells me Claire isn’t what she normally goes by, but I don’t give a shit.

“Yeah.” I bend over and wrap a hand around the leg of her stool, dragging her closer to me. “There. Now I’ll be able to hear you.”

Smooooooth

“Sorry.” Maverick holds up his hands, but I know he’s not actually apologizing. He loves to bring her up and piss me off. “Go on. Tell us about your problem. I’m an expert on relationships and love now. I can help.” “You got engaged to the first woman you’ve ever dated. That doesn’t make you an expert.”

Knowing my phone is shut off and locked in my hotel room with an out-of-office message set up, I’m not going to sleep until I know what he tastes like.

“I have Emmy’s handwriting tattooed on my chest. Her name has been my phone passcode since the week after I met her. I’m king of the fucking cheese. You don’t have to justify yourself to me. Are you going to invite her back to your room later?”

“Four rows from the back. Black dress and brown hair.” “That’s literally half the women here. Wait. I think I see her. Oh, shit, Reid. She’s pretty.” He waves, and I bat his hand away. “What is wrong with you?” “What is wrong with you? What the hell are you doing?” I hiss.

“God, she’s beautiful,” he says. “Look at her. I get to wake up to that face for the next fifty years, and I’m going to want fifty more.” “Shit.” Maverick drops his head back and sniffs. “Why am I crying? I never fucking cry.” I wipe my eyes. “Because she’s perfect for him, and all we’ve ever wanted is to see Dallas happy.”

“They won’t miss me. When I last saw Maven and Dallas, they were making out behind a plant.” Reid shrugs.

“You don’t strike me as someone who takes what they want.” I run my hands up his chest and tug on his tie. “But you can be greedy with me, Reid.”

“I’ve never had a one-night stand. Not that I’m implying that’s what this is or anything. I’ve never kissed someone without knowing what they like, and I⁠—” “Reid?” “Yes?” “Shut up,” I say, crashing my lips against his.

“I want you to touch me, Reid.” I think I might be shaking. I think I might also be leaking in my briefs.

“You really are giving the wrong people your attention. I’m here, and I like loud. I like enthusiastic. I want you to tell me what you’re thinking, and I want to talk you through it. Would that be okay?”

I love when the quiet ones surprise you. Just when you think you have them figured out, they do something out of character, like get on their knees and eat you out like you’re their favorite meal.

“Maybe we’re both in heaven.” “I definitely am. I’m still inside you, and you’re fucking nirvana.”

“Once a month. We try to keep it structured, but most of the time, it turns into a huge debate. There’s a lot of yelling. We had to get rid of alcohol because there was almost a fistfight over whether the girl should choose the hero or the villain. Someone ended up with a black eye, and Dallas—who tends to be the most level headed of the bunch—busted his lip.”

“I’d like for you to get off.” “In front of everyone? Seems a little presumptuous. I’d probably be kicked out of the game. Might lose my job, too. Is that your end goal here?” “Off me,” he mumbles, and it’s laced with embarrassment. “But not yet. I know people are watching.”

“Did you really have to wear all black?” I look Maverick up and down and sigh. “You look fucking ridiculous.” “Of course I had to wear all black. This is a special operation. I couldn’t show up in fucking blue.”

I sigh in relief when she leaves the office and shuts the door firmly behind her. “Oh my god.” Maverick collapses to the floor. “That’s the longest I’ve ever gone without talking.” “How did you survive?” I ask.

“Fuck you. This was stupid, wasn’t it? What thirty-four-year-old goes around planting plastic ducks in someone’s office?” “I don’t know, man. Probably the same guy who smiled when she found them,” he says. “I did not smile,” I challenge. “Sure you didn’t.” “You’re delusional.” “Don’t worry, Plant Daddy.” He winks. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Men should be put in their place every once in a while. Inconveniencing them is one way to do it, since they’re a constant inconvenience to me.”

“Since I was born. I didn’t have a mom when I was younger, and when people teased me, I didn’t really care. I had three dads, and three is much better than one. Uncle Reid helped me learn my ballet dances.” “He did?” “Yeah. We practiced in the living room. He’s not very good, but he did his best. He even wore a tutu. Uncle Mav took me shopping while Daddy was playing football. We always had fun. Then Mom got here, and everything is even better.”

“I’m still so sorry. I’m going to sound like an asshole complaining about my dad when yours⁠—” “Just because our experiences are different doesn’t mean yours is less important.”

“You’re not in charge of her feelings, Reid. You’re in charge of yours. You need to do what makes you happy. Otherwise, you’re going to be miserable for the next thirty years.”

“Where did your box go?” “My box?” “The thing you were carrying into my office before the game.” “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about,” I say innocently. “You are the least subtle person I know.” “You saw me and didn’t stop me?” “Nah. You looked excited. I thought I’d let you have your moment,” he says. “Oh.” A smile breaks free across my mouth.

One minute, we’re six feet apart. The next I’m pressed against his door. His hand is tangled in my hair and his mouth is on mine. He’s kissing me like a man starved, and I’m not doing a goddamn thing to stop him.

“I’m not lonely. I have plenty of things that make me happy. You. Your dad and mom. Mav and Emmy. My job. My LEGO collection and plants. Happiness isn’t defined by having a partner, June Bug,” I say.

“You never take up too much space, Ave. Not with me,” he says. “I think I’d like you to take up more of it.”

“Emmy tells them to fuck off before they even try to talk to her.” Maverick cradles his chin in his hand, a dopey smile settling on his mouth. “I’m the luckiest bastard in the world.”

I leap to my feet and crash into him. “You came,” I whisper around a sob. “You called,” he murmurs into my hair, his embrace an envelope of comfort.

How are we going to act around our friends?” “What do you mean?” he asks. “Are they aliens or something?” “Are we going to be affectionate? Ignore each other? Send messages back and forth on our phones?” “I can smell you on my hand, Avery. It’s going to be impossible to ignore you.”

“Sorry,” I say. “We got caught up with work,” Reid explains. He takes a seat on the couch next to June and hands over her presents. “It’s Avery’s fault. She lost track of time. Told me to keep going and she didn’t want to stop.” I glare at him. His grin is beautiful, a wicked display of happiness that pangs in my chest, and I know I could never be mad at him. Not really.