Page 9 of Aperture

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “The lady in the shop called you by name, and I remembered it.”

“Wow, quite a memory you’ve got there. I barely remember her name and we’ve been best friends for years.” I jerk my thumb toward Gwen. Why am I so freaking awkward? Gwen flips me off and fakes indignance.

“Hi. I’m Gwen.” She reaches out to shake his hand and it crosses my mind that she is touching him before I am. I don’t like it.

He shakes her hand and replies, “I’m Wyatt.”

“Hi Millie. I’m Wyatt.” He smiles warmly, reaching out to shake my hand. “It’s nice to meet you officially and thank you again for yesterday.”

He’s still holding my hand while my heart is doing jumping jacks in my chest, and I’m pretty sure sweat is forming on my upper lip, but I am unable to let go first.

His hand is big and warm, and I can’t help but wonder how nice it would feel roaming over my body. Woah. Where did that come from? He finally let's go and takes a sip of his coffee and my brain begins to function correctly again.

“Do you want to join us?” I ask.

“Sure.” He shrugs, taking a seat next to me.

I attempt to take a sip of my coffee, but I’m feeling a little shaky, so I set it back down. Thankfully, Gwen starts the conversation.

“So, Wyatt, I hear you’re taking up photography.”

“I am,” he answers assuredly. “I’ve always been interested in it, so I decided to graduate from my phone to a real camera.”

“Well, Millie here is the best teacher,” she praises.

What is she doing?

“I don’t doubt that,” he says, smiling over at me. “She was very helpful last night.”

“If you want to learn more, I’m sure she’d be more than willing to give you some pointers.”

I’m going to kill her.

My face flames from embarrassment as Wyatt looks at me.

“I’d love that, Millie. Do you have some time in the next few days to get together?” he asks.

Gwen is the best friend I’ve ever had.

“Um, sure,” I reply. “How about we meet here tomorrow, around 3?”

“That sounds great,” he replies. Then adds, “I have to get going to work.”

He turns toward Gwen. “It was nice meeting you.” Then he moves his attention back over to me, while standing. “Millie, I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

“Me, too,” I say sincerely, as I smile up at him.

Once he leaves, I turn to Gwen with my mouth agape. “I cannot believe you did that?” I laugh.

“You were being all shy and well, Millie, about it. Someone had to take the bull by the horns. And by the bull, I mean Wyatt. And by the horns, I mean his di—”

“I know what you mean!” I cut her off.

“Seriously, Mouse, you need to climb that man like a tree.”

“Stop!” I laugh, waving my hand in the air. “Let’s change the subject, please.”

She smiles slyly but accommodates my request.