Page 22 of Trustfall
“I can see you fighting your inner thoughts from here, Red.”
I looked up from the spot on the ground where I’d zoned out after setting up my tripod and was met with a vibrant set of autumn-brown eyes staring back at me, luminous with a playful mischief and a simmering, magnetic charm.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you ready?” I questioned.
“I am, but are you?”
“Of course.” I wasn’t. I was distracted.
By him.
“All right, so the plan is, you step into the controlled pool of accelerant, and the second you do, it will ignite into a sudden burst of flames framing your silhouette. All you have to do is stand still, look directly into the camera, and give it your best smoldering look, which obviously comes naturally to you.”
“Obviously.” He grinned.
I did my best to avert my eyes from his glowing, tanned torso, which was on full display while he stood, only wearing his turnout pants with suspenders and work boots, and adjusted the Santa hat on his head.
“Hopefully, we can complete this in the two takes Tara planned.” I looked over my shoulder, wondering where she had disappeared to since there was only Cruz standing behind me on standby to supervise the complicated shot. “First, with the Christmas present closed, the second, with the lid angled open.”
“You in a rush to leave, Ari?”
“Not at all. The instructions are clear-cut; there’s no need to overcomplicate things.”
“Why is the box lid open in the second shot?”
“I’m going to Photoshop Boden and Lakelyn’s new pup with her head popping out of the box.”
“You can do that?” His eyes widened.
“Of course, it’s a simple little editing hack; I don’t want anyone up in arms thinking I put a dog at risk for a photo op.”
“Yet you have no qualms about my safety?”
“Take that up with Tara if she ever returns. Plus, we both know you’re not in any real danger.”
“Danger is all relative.”
And from how his eyes pinned me with his words, I was inclined to agree.
“Well, if you’re ready, let’s get started.” I stepped back behind the camera.
He took his place inside the specially constructed twelve-by-twelve low-level box filled with water, and on the count of three, he stomped with a heavy foot onto the circular metal drum lid filled with accelerant. The instant he did, flames shot up from the ground, dancing upward in a vibrant display that cast a dramatic glow around him. Yet, as I captured each second with my camera, it wasn’t the intensity of the fiery backdrop that left me breathless; instead, it was the radiant smile of pride radiating from him, piercing through the lens like a direct arrow to my heart.
The sound of Tara’s boots barreling in from behind saved me from further embarrassment, as I couldn’t pull myself away from the viewfinder.
“Captain Fisher just called. Something about we can’t be here on site anymore; I don’t know why,” she said, frowning slightly, “we just have to clear out immediately.”
“We’re almost done here,” I replied. “I just need one more shot. Plus, I’m sure his dad, the captain, of all people, will understand.”
“I’m, albeit, the most important month, if I do say so myself,” Jameson piped up.
The smooth whiskey timbre of his voice had me unable to hold back the side-eye I shot him as if to say,really?
“Exactly, Santa, I know,” Tara said. “Anyway, which one of you has a Christmas tree setup at home? Greer and I haven’t unpacked our tree yet.”
“Ahh—” Was she nuts? I wasn’t about to willingly offer to have Jameson in my home.
“I do.”
