Off Camera (Love Through a Lens, #3)

by Chelsea Curto

“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.”

“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.

“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.”

“Hi, sweetie,” she says. “Are you okay?” “Better now that you’re up here with me.” “I guess I shouldn’t tell you about the runaway bride act Reid and I were going to pull, huh?” Maven jokes, and I bark out a laugh. Dallas looks at me and smiles. “If I was going to lose you to anyone, I’d be okay with it being him.” “Wow,” Maverick grumbles. “That’s fucking rude.”

“I could?” “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 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.

I learned a long time ago family isn’t what you’re born into. It’s the people you pick up along the way. The friends in that photo are my family now, and I really fucking miss them.

“I couldn’t focus to save my life.” “And what color was Emmy’s dress at the wedding?” I squint at him. “Pink, right? No, wait. Dark blue.” “Both wrong. It was green.

“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.”

I leap to my feet and crash into him. “You came,” I whisper around a sob. “You called,” he murmurs into my hair,

“I’m confused.” I drop my elbows to the counter and rest my chin in my hands. “Can someone fill me in?” “This is exactly how Maverick and Emmy got together. They were at each other’s throats, until one day, they kissed. Fast forward a few years later, and she’s wearing his ring on her finger,” Maven explains.

“Careful,” I murmur in Avery’s ear. “Being stuck in a metal tube with him for six hours might be a new level of hell.” “I can hear you, dickbag.” Maverick throws a pillow at me, and I block it from hitting Avery in the face. “I hope you have to fly economy.”

Marry. “There’s no Will,” Reid says from behind me, and I turn around to face him. 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 I’m doing, Sinclair?” he teases.