CHAPTER 14

KYLE

14 Days 'til Christmas Eve

Pulling up to the photographer's studio, I spot Julia already at the door, waving me over. Beside the studio is the town garden. It's one of those spots that tries hard to look charming and cozy. Snow clings to the branches, tiny lights twinkle around the bushes, and the gazebo that seems to play centre stage, decked out in winter florals and more fairy lights-a winter wonderland in miniature. Julia glows, glancing between the garden and the studio. I'd bet good money that she's already scheming ways to incorporate it into the wedding photos.

"We're just here to talk photos, right?" I ask, strolling over to join her.

"Vanessa offered to give us the full experience," she beams. Before I can object, she's grabbed hold of my arm, pulling me toward the garden path.

I hadn't seen her before, but I guess Julia had. Vanessa-or at least I'm hazarding a guess that's who the woman wielding a camera is-steps out from the bushes next to the gazebo.

"Kyle, Julia-perfect timing! I've just finished looking for spots to trial. How about we get a few sample shots first, then we can head back to the studio afterwards?"

I look for a tactful way to say no, but Julia is already on board with the suggestion, ready to capture the "winter magic." Moments later, Vanessa places us on the gazebo's steps, instructing me to stand so close to Julia that I can feel the warmth of her body despite the cold air.

"Lean in, relax a little," Vanessa directs, tilting her camera and spinning the focus on the front of the lens. "Pretend you're sharing a private joke."

I arch an eyebrow at Julia. "So, 'smug' or 'smugger'?"

She rolls her eyes. "Let's aim for 'barely tolerable.'" Vanessa captures the moment Julia bursts into laughter, and for a split second, I'm eager to see how the photo turned out.

She snaps a few more, capturing us at different spots and angles, around the gazebo and the surrounding garden. With each passing moment, the instructions dissolve into the background, replaced by the natural flow of our work. I'm enjoying myself being here with her. The laughter and warmth between us, genuine, despite being a rouse for the camera. It's a little unsettling, but I don't hate it.

With a few more shots in the bag, we return to the studio, ready to review the photos, and finalise our ideas.

Vanessa ushers us over to her workstation, sliding into the seat on the other side as we take our seats. We wait, flipping through a large portfolio of previous work she's done, while the photographer messes about uploading the new photos to her computer. When she's finally ready, a collage of picture tiles appears on the display monitor.

Placing the portfolio on the table, our attention focuses on the screen. Julia leans in beside me as Vanessa scrolls through each of the photos. She pauses, the mouse hovering on one of us both laughing, half-turned toward each other. Julia's gaze lingers on it for a moment longer than anyone else's. She has a faraway look, as if seeing something more than just the wedding photos.

I clear my throat. "Looks like we actually get along in these photos."

"Almost," she replies, but her voice is almost wistful, catching me off guard.

We settle on the photography package before wrapping things up with Vanessa. Julia proposes coffee, but within minutes, she brings up Christmas shopping. She looks at me, unsure.

"Shopping?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Thought you had that all planned out, Julia."

She shrugs. "I still need a few gifts for Penny and Chase. And maybe a couple of Christmas presents."

"Fine, I'll tag along," I say sarcastically, but it's mostly, so she doesn't have to feel weird about asking. "Wouldn't want you accidentally buy them matching ugly Christmas sweaters or something equally heinous."

We head over to the main street to the only department store in town. Julia heads straight to a display of Christmas gift suggestions 'for the whole family', picking up a sleek leather journal. She flips through it, checking it out from cover to cover.

"For my boss," she says, answering my unspoken question. "I think he'll like this one."

I wouldn't be surprised if Julia puts this much thought into every gift on her list. She's always been that way. It's just who she is. I think back to when we were all friends. Even though she values her independence and sometimes makes blunt remarks, she's always been thoughtful, kind, and considerate to her inner circle. I know because I used to be a part of it. Used to.

She turns, heading to the wedding gift section next. Her attention snagged by a pair of custom wine glasses etched with tiny snowflakes.

"Do you think these will work for Penny and Chase's wedding gift? Or is it too cheesy?"

"They're nice," I say, grabbing a pair of reindeer antlers from a nearby shelf and popping them on my head with a wide grin. "But picture them in these for their first Christmas photos."

She snorts, snatching the antlers off my head and putting them back. "What about you? Any gift ideas?"

I shrug. "I usually keep it simple. Chase and I do a bottle of liquor, or maybe a new book, something low-key. I'm not exactly big on gift-giving."

She looks at me, eyes-wide with surprise. "Well, maybe we can help each other out. Let's try something, starting simple, since that's your niche. If you were to get me a gift, what would you buy?"

I scan the vicinity, then reach over to a shelf lined with small, glittering snowflake ornaments. "This. Because it's impractical and glittery-which we all know you love the glitter-but, since it's from me, you'd pretend to hate it, yet you'd still find a place to hang it."

She laughs, rolling her eyes, but a smirk plays on her lips. I guess I'm rubbing off on her. "Impressive."

I grin, playfully. "Thanks, Jules."

She picks up a small figurine of a reindeer with a Santa hat, holding it out to me. "And for you, I'd pick this. Because it's both festive and sarcastic, just like you."

She watches as I pocket it, as if she didn't expect me to keep it. "I can't say no to a gift, even if it's sarcastic."

After we select a few other gifts, we head to the checkout; she's eyeing a silver photo frame with tiny snowflakes etched along the edges. She picks it up, her fingers delicately following its contours.

"Think this one could work?" she asks, but she seems off, like her mind is somewhere else entirely.

"It's perfect for them," I say, though for a second I wonder what it might look like with that photo of us in it-the one Vanessa took, that Julia couldn't take her eyes off. She catches me watching her, cheeks flushing a delicate pink before placing the frame back on the shelf.

"So, Friday," she says as we wait in the checkout queue. "You haven't changed your mind about the Christmas party?"

"Nope. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, someone's got to make sure you don't spike the punch and start giving out free wedding planning advice."

"Fair point," she laughs. "And you won't embarrass me, right?"

"Scout's honour. I'm just there to play the part of the supportive date."

She hesitates, then smiles. "Supportive date. Got it."

With bags in hand, we exit the store. She notices the reindeer ornament still hanging from my pocket and raises an eyebrow. "You're actually keeping that?"

I shrug, feeling the tiniest bit embarrassed. "Might as well. Besides, it'll remind me I saved you from the horrors of solo-Christmas shopping. You're welcome."

Her laugh is fleeting, replaced by a hint of something unreadable in her eyes. Watching her, I feel like we're straddling a line between something casual and something real. Maybe this thing between us isn't an accident after all.