Chapter 7

Alex didn’t visit the bridge often, but he rested his elbows on the cement wall. The clouds in the sky ranged from billowy puffs to feathered strokes. The sun illuminated them to where it appeared back-lit, with one side glowing brightly than the other. Rays appeared to shoot toward the ground, creating a beautiful scene. 

Birds circled high on the up drifts and planes flew overhead. Blooming flowers filled his nose with their floral scents. Insects buzzed around, but Alex only rubbed his palms together. Did he spill his guts to Zoe the other night? 

His mouth slackened as his chest tensed. Not only did telling her make his brow wrinkle, he wanted to share more. Zoe listened with understanding. She wasn’t like any of the other women who he’d met in the past who batted their eyelashes at the sight of him.

All Alex had to do was smile. A woman would bend over backwards to please him. Not Zoe. She had a mind of her own. She didn’t fall for his lines or his charms. 

He stared at the open sky. He should leave her alone. It was best. He couldn’t get over on her. In the past he would leave, but with Zoe, it only intrigued him further. What would it take to get her to say yes to a date?

Alex straightened from leaning on the bridge wall. Didn’t he learn his lesson the last time? Layla. His first love—at least that’s what he thought. She didn’t care about him. The night of his junior prom, her words cut through him like a butcher knife. She only went out with him to make his school band mate, her ex-boyfriend jealous.

Seventeen-year-old Alex’s stomach had hardened. He’d been a fool to think love would work for him. He’d seen the damage it’d done to his father. Why did he let Layla convince him that she’d cared?

He already had trouble fitting in at school. Women saw a bad boy now, but in school, kids considered him unpopular. How did he break free? He had a talent for the drums. Next thing he knew, he was in the school band, and the girls cheered with his name on their lips. Alex grabbed the first sign of acceptance.

Clearing his throat, he needed to head to the studio. They were leaving in a week for their tour. Their album sales were doing well, so they couldn’t let up. Jackson wouldn’t hear of it. Alex respected the guy’s ambition, which only made crushing on his sister even worse. Yet, Zoe was a grown woman. 

Zoe? He blinked as he spotted a woman on the shoreline of the lake with a camera. Her curls bounced as the breeze picked up, whistling in the trees. He licked his lips. His pulse raced. He hurried down the bridge.

“You following me?” he asked.

Zoe’s eyes widened. “What-how-no I’m not.”

He chuckled, loving that he caught her off guard. 

“As you can see...” She pointed to her camera. “I’m busy.”

He moved closer. “I see. I didn’t know you were into photography.”

“I don’t volunteer information. If people want to know, ask me.”

He smiled. Her spunk made the hairs raise on the back of his neck. “I’m asking then. How did you get into it?”

She shrugged. “I’ve always liked taking pictures as a kid.” She appeared to swallow hard. “I guess it’s my outlet.”

“Music’s the same for me,” he said.

She shook her head at him. “Since when does a guy like you need an outlet.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you mean by that?”

“I just don’t see it. Looks like you can get anything you want with the snap of your fingers.”

He turned his head to the side. “That’s a first. No one’s said that to me before.”

Zoe’s shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I say things without thinking.”

He shook his head. “Don’t apologize. I like a woman who speaks her mind.” Alex moved closer. Did he hear Zoe’s breathing hitch? Was it possible her hard shell was an act? What was behind her brown eyes? He held out his hand, directing his eyes to her camera. “May I?”

Zoe took a step back. “I don’t let anyone touch my camera.”

“Not even for a friend?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

She smiled. “Is that what we are?”

For now, they were. Alex would work to change that. “I’d like to think so.”

Zoe’s lips parted, and he heard her exhale. She clutched it for a moment but then handed it to him. Their fingers brushed again, but Alex refrained from taking her hand. 

He held up her camera, spotting the flash button. Zoe’s face glowed on camera as the sunlight illuminated her hair. Her eyes sparkled. Alex took a few photos of her, much to her eyes widening afterwards.

She reached for her camera. “You didn’t!”

“You look great.” He didn’t hesitate in giving it back to her.

Zoe rolled her eyes. “I don’t take pictures of myself.”

“No selfies on your phone?”

“Why would I do that? I have a mirror. I know what I look like.”

He laughed, stepping closer to look at the photos with her. Her sweet perfume filled his lungs. Were her curls as soft as he thought? “I still think you look great.”

Zoe cleared her throat. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She brushed a few curls behind her ear. “I need to get going.”

“Have classes started yet?” he asked. She only looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “My aunt mentioned you’re taking classes online. I didn’t stalk you or anything.”

The corners of her mouth raised. “They start next week.”

“That’s when the band leaves. Any chance you can make one of our shows?”

“Probably not. I’ll keep in touch with my brother.”

“Too bad. It... would have been nice to have you,” he said.

Her eyes widened slightly. “Maybe... next time.” She backed away from him. “I have to go.”

“Thanks for talking with me.” He planted his feet on the ground. He wanted her to stay.

Zoe waved and walked away.

Alex released a deep breath. How would he win her over? He didn’t know, but he couldn’t give up now.