Off Camera (Love Through a Lens, #3)

by Chelsea Curto

“How old are you?” I ask. “Thirty-one. How old are you?” “Thirty-four.” “What was the Great Depression like?”

“I asked her to save me a dance. That sounds really fucking cheesy, but I ran into her and then literally fell on top of her. She looked pretty in her dress and⁠—” “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.

Bestie Maverick

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.”

“I am not sending dick pics,” I say, then I panic. “Should I be sending dick pics?

“Is he dead? Oh my god, he’s going to be so pissed if he’s dead,” Maverick says when I get close. “How did he not see the ball?”

Please “he’s gonna be so pissed if he’s dead” has me ROLLING

“You wouldn’t last a second in the NFL, pretty boy,” Dallas says. “Hey. Only Emmy is allowed to call me that.” He grabs his glass and downs half his drink. “She’ll kick your ass if she hears you using her nickname for me.”

You’ve officially earned the title of First Girl to Read One of My Comic Books. I’m kind of geeking out right now.”

You haven’t talked about running since the day you called me to pick you up. I hate exercising, but I’d run with you if it made you feel more comfortable.

Better than any real man for this

“This is stupid. I’m thirty-four and emotional over a fucking LEGO box.”

Okay but he’s PRECIOUS

“You so are, man. You’re fucking blushing right now.” “I am not.” I touch my cheeks, and they’re warm under my fingers. “It’s from the sun.” “The sun in January?”

“Thanks for hanging out with me. I appreciate when I get to see you guys.” “Aw, shit, Plant Daddy.” Maverick tackles me in a hug and we fall to the floor.

Maverick existing in the scene 🤝 me giggling

“If you change your mind, I bought some new whiskey,” I say. “It got good reviews.” “You hardly ever drink whiskey.” I shrug. “But you do.

“Because I normally sleep in socks. My equilibrium is all thrown off.” “You’re a fucking weirdo.” “Yet here you are. Curled around me like a vine and making no effort to leave.” “Yeah, because you’re my weirdo,”

Is this SO cheesy? Yes. Did it still make me smile? Absolutely

“Hang on.” He fumbles behind him, reaching for his glasses, and slides them on his face. “There you are. I like you a lot more when you’re not blurry.”

“Wait, what?” I put my hands on my hips and turn to face them. “I know I can’t ask to see your boobs, but I kind of want to see your boobs.”

When guys ask what girls do at sleepovers:

“Never fear, Mae. Puck Daddy Mav is here,” Maverick chimes in, and I roll my eyes. “No one calls you that,” I say. “No one has ever called you that.”

“I love you,” I whisper so only he can hear me. “I think I’m going to love you forever.” Reid grins, a smile matching mine. The adoration in his eyes makes me weak in the knees. “Wanna bet?”

WANNA BET???????😭😭

He’s on one knee, a velvet box in his hand and his eyes on me. “Only me. I hope that’s okay.” “What—” I sniff and look down at him. “What are you doing?” “Tying my shoe. What does it look like