Love in Pictures Read online

“Sure. Come on over.”

  ~*~

  Michelle focused on editing pictures from her latest engagement photo shoot. She’d been throwing herself into her work and ignoring Logan’s calls for the past two weeks. Seeing his picture with the pretty blonde unearthed her insecurities of not being enough, because she was a woman of color in a world where the European beauty standard was dominant. It was part of the reason why she was so passionate about featuring her clients of color on mainstream bridal magazines. The world needed to know that beauty and elegance comes in all colors.

  But the cozy picture featuring Logan and the mystery woman had delivered a strong blow to her self-esteem. Maybe Marcel was right. Maybe Logan was not the type of man she should be dating. Maybe he was just using her, a fling, not a long-lasting romance. Maybe he liked white girls better. He sure did seem into that woman in the picture.

  She wiped away a tear and steeled herself. She was a strong black woman who could handle heartbreak. Logan wasn’t the only fish in the sea. God would send her a man who would be wonderful. More wonderful than Logan?

  Her heart ached. Maybe she should call him. After all, he’d called her at least once a day for the past two weeks. He was probably clueless as to why she was avoiding him. But if he truly wanted her, why hadn’t he stopped by her studio? He’d visited here before. It wasn’t like he didn’t know where to find her. She snorted as she recalled a famous adage that if a man wasn’t pursuing you then it was because he was just not that into you.

  But Logan had been calling every day.

  Okay, God. I know I have been a bit mean by ignoring Logan’s calls. But Lord, He really hurt me. You know how I don’t date a lot. A guy like Logan who’s interested in me seemed too good to be true. Then again, we’re not official yet, so if he wants to date other women, then I shouldn’t be mad. Right?

  Maybe she should return his calls. But before she could dial his number, her phone rang. “Hello?”

  “Hey, amiga. I know you’re still mad at me, but I have good news.”

  “I’m not mad at you, Juliana.”

  “Really? Then you’ve not spoken to me since our lunch surprise two weeks ago because of what?”

  “Jules, it’s just that, well, I needed time to think.”

  “Mhm. Well here’s food for thought. My editor-in-chief, Brenda, wants to feature your clients on the cover of Bridal Mode Magazine.”

  The phone slipped through Michelle’s hand and collided with the floor. Her heartbeat accelerated. This is what she’d always wanted. She clutched her chest and breathed in deep, trying to calm down.

  “Hello?” Juliana’s voice sounded faint.

  Michelle bent down and retrieved her phone from the floor. She put Juliana on speaker and rested the phone on her desk. “Jules, that’s such great news. When did this happen? How did it happen?”

  “God. He blessed you.”

  Michelle jumped up and down. “Yes, He did.” She forced herself to calm down and glanced at the calendar. “What issue?”

  “December.”

  “Seven months from now? That gives me plenty of time.”

  “Yes, but Brenda needs your photos before the end of today because we’re on a tight deadline and her original photographer could not deliver. I already shared the link to your website with her. She’s interested in the photo galleries for two of your clients.”

  Michelle felt giddy. Her dreams were coming true.

  “Which ones, Jules?”

  Juliana answered.

  “Great. I’ll look it up now and e-mail the galleries to you.”

  “Gracias, amiga! Ciao!”

  “Juliana, wait.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m really sorry that I haven’t been in touch. I had a lot on my mind.”

  “Sure. I understand.”

  “We should catch up.”

  “Yes, we should.”

  “Maybe we can meet in Bowie this weekend? I can come visit you.”

  “Sure. We can do that.”

  “Okay, girl. Take care. I’m working on meeting this deadline of my dreams.”

  Juliana chuckled. “Later, amiga.”

  Michelle swiveled in her chair and pumped her fists. Dear God, You are awesome. Thank you so much for making this dream of my heart come true.

  After spending a few moments talking to God, Michelle turned to her computer to work on this dream deadline, and for the first time in two weeks, she thought of something other than Logan.

  Chapter 11

  “I think you’re ready.”

  Logan recalled Sally’s words. She’d stopped by his boat last week to tell him that she thought her work with him was done and she felt confident that he was ready for his second interview with Carter Wright. He’d been excited and relieved all at once. But he hadn’t called Carter immediately, because he was scared. He was close to his dream coming true, and he didn’t want to mess it up. So, he did what he knew was best. He made an appointment to see his mom.

  “Logan, the therapist is ready to see you.”

  Logan slid out of his seat in the waiting area, thanked the receptionist, and walked down the hallway to his mother’s office. He opened the door and smiled at the woman behind the desk. “Hey, Mom.”

  Mom stood and walked over to Logan. She gave him a hug. “Hey, honey.” She stepped back and gestured to the couch. “Have a seat.”

  Logan settled into the plush, black leather couch while his mother sat in the chair across from him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Logan’s eyes widened. “Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to tell you this good news in person.”

  Mom nodded.

  “Remember when I told you that I had an interview with WJLA three weeks ago?”

  “Yes.”

  “And that I started stuttering while talking to the news director, but instead of ending the interview and dismissing me, he gave me the business card to one of his vocal coach consultants?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well that vocal coach—her name is Sally—and I have been working together every weekday, and she told me last Friday she thinks I’m ready.”

  Logan watched his Mom’s eyes light up with joy.

  “Oh, sweetie. That’s such good news. Are you going to be on air?”

  Logan chuckled. “I hope so. But I’ve got to see if Carter Wright—he’s the news director—hires me first.”

  “Oh, honey. I think he will.” Mom paused. She frowned. “Now what’s worrying your mind?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I can tell that something’s bothering you.”

  “How?”

  “Mother’s intuition. Is this about a girl?”

  Logan sighed. “Yes.”

  Mom reached for a bottle of water that was resting on the end table. She twisted the cap off of the bottle and sipped before speaking. “Tell me.”

  “Well, Mom. I met this girl. She’s amazing. We were dating for a while but never made our relationship official. Then all of a sudden, three weeks ago, she stopped talking to me. Completely. Won’t take my calls. Hasn’t stopped by my boat—”

  “She’s been on your boat?”

  Logan felt his face flush. “Yes. Our first date was dinner on the boat.”

  Mom smiled. “Romantic.”

  “She seemed impressed and she… Mom she’s not like any other girl I’ve ever dated. She’s so caring and sweet, and she’s compassionate about my stuttering.”

  “Compassionate?”

  Logan nodded. “She had a cousin who stuttered. He was bullied a lot and ended up committing suicide.”

  Mom’s eyes misted. “So sad.”

  “I know. But apparently, that’s why Michelle is so understanding.”

  “She sounds like a keeper.”

  Logan sighed. “We haven’t defined our relationship yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “I was going to call her after my first meeting with Sally and arrange a date then ask her to
be my girlfriend. But that’s when she stopped taking my calls.”

  “Oh, honey. I’m sorry. Do you know why?”

  “No. That’s why I wanted to ask you. What is going on in her head?”

  Mom chuckled. “How do you expect me to know that?”

  “You’re a therapist. You can understand minds better than me.”

  Mom continued to chuckle.

  “Mom, I’m serious.”

  Mom wiped tears that had escaped her eyes from laughing so hard.

  “I wish I could help you, but I never met the girl. However, based on what you’re telling me, I’d say don’t give up. If she’s as amazing as you say, and she truly cares about you, then I’m sure you two can work it out.”

  “But that’s just it, Mom. I don’t know what to work out, because I don’t why she’s mad at me.”

  “Ah. I see. Have you tried asking God about it?”

  Logan paused. He had not prayed about this. Sure, he’d vented to God, but he hadn’t asked Him for wisdom and help. Logan smiled. He got up. “Thanks, Mom. I will.”

  Mom glanced at her watch. “You have at least ten more minutes before my next client arrives. Are you sure you want to leave now?”

  Logan kissed his mom on her right temple. “Yes, Mom. Thanks for your help.”

  Mom stood. “You’re welcome, honey. I’m here if you ever need to talk.”

  “I know. You’re the best.”

  “And when you work things out with Michelle, bring her by the house sometime. I’d love to meet her.”

  Logan’s heart leapt. It meant a lot to him that he might have his mother’s approval. He never had her approval with London. The thought of his ex-fiancée startled him. He tried not to show it. “Later, Mom.”

  He walked calmly out of her office and took a deep breath of the cool air when he stepped outside. London. The woman who broke his heart when she chose to chase her modeling dreams over creating a life with him. Marriage and family had not been a dream London wanted to pursue, apparently not even with him.

  Logan looked up into the clear blue skies. Dear God, I thought I’d never get over London. Then you sent Michelle into my life and healed my heart. Mom never liked London. But I loved her until she dumped me. I thought I was over her, but maybe I’m not? Oh, Lord. Help me work things out with Michelle and banish London from my mind. She wasn’t good for me. But Michelle is someone I want to keep.

  Chapter 12

  Michelle bent over and huffed. A few yards ahead, Juliana turned around and jogged in place. She rallied Michelle in a military-boot-camp-leader voice. “Let’s go, amiga! No breaks.”

  Michelle raised her head just high enough to glare at Juliana. “You said we were going for a walk in the park, not a run.”

  Juliana gave a rich peal of laughter in response. She jogged back to Michelle’s side and slapped her on her upper back. “You need to look fit for this shoot in Italy. You never know when you’re going to meet a cute guy. Maybe your second shooter for the wedding will turn out to be Mr. Right.”

  Michelle winced, partly because Juliana’s hand slap hurt and partly because the comment got her thinking of Logan, who she hadn’t spoken to now in many months.

  As if reading her mind, Juliana frowned. Her voice softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you think of Lo—”

  Michelle raised her hand and stood up straight. “It’s okay. I’m over him. And you’re right. I could meet Mr. Right in Italy. So, let’s get this run done.” She willed her conflicted emotions away. Dear God, please don’t let Juliana bring his name up again. I’ve tried so hard to get over Logan, but sometimes the sound of his name still makes my heart hurt. I miss him so much. But this is my fault. I stopped taking his calls, and now it looks like he’s given up.

  Juliana jogged alongside Michelle. For a few moments, she remained silent, and all Michelle could hear was the pounding of their feet on the pavement.

  Juliana puffed. “I’m happy for you, amiga. Look at you getting all geared up to photograph your first international wedding. Can you believe how fast this is happening?”

  “Yes. It feels like I just received the phone call yesterday.” A lot had happened in the past two months. After having her clients on the cover of Bridal Mode Magazine, Michelle’s phone had been ringing off the hook with requests from magazine editors across the U.S. and then most recently, in Paris and Milan.

  That feature led to the opportunity of a lifetime. Maria Ricci, the editor of Bella Bride Magazine in Italy, had reached out to Michelle a few weeks ago. She had gushed about Michelle’s photography and shared the photos with her daughter who told her that she wanted Michelle to be her wedding photographer.

  Juliana’s voice bubbled. “I think it’s awesome how you’re saving the day, their wedding day.”

  Michelle huffed as she tried to maintain Juliana’s pace. The girl had legs of steel. “It’s not about me. God worked behind the scenes.”

  Normally wedding photographers booked their clients months in advance, but Maria said that her daughter’s original wedding photographer had a last-minute scheduling conflict, and since she admired Michelle’s work so much, it only made sense to hire her.

  “I cannot believe you’re going to stay in a real villa on the Amalfi Coast.”

  Michelle paused to stretch and catch her breath. “Maria’s the best. She’s covering everything.”

  Juliana jogged circles around Michelle who was still stretching. “You’re going to have the time of your life.” Juliana pulled on Michelle’s arm. “Let’s keep going. We’re almost there.” She pointed to the end of the trail that circled back to the beginning.

  “Good. I’m thirsty. And hungry.”

  “Me too. Good thing the town center is only a mile away.”

  “We’ve got another mile to go?”

  “Yep. We’re going to be so fit we’re going to be asked to be magazine cover models like your clients.”

  Michelle hugged Juliana.

  “What was that for?”

  “A thank you for allowing God to use you to help my career dreams come true.”

  “You’re welcome, but I only played a small role. Everything after your cover on Bridal Mode Magazine was thanks to God and God alone.”

  “You’re right, and I’m so grateful to Him.”

  “Race you to lunch at Marie’s Mocha?”

  “You’re on.”

  Juliana took off toward the café, and Michelle followed at a slower pace. Twenty-four hours until her flight left. After lunch, she had to pack. Her stomach danced around. What if something went wrong? What if she lost her luggage or if she dropped her camera? What if the pictures didn’t turn out how she wanted them to look?

  This could be wonderful.

  It could be a disaster.

  ~*~

  London Lane paused on the cobblestone Parisian street. A stunning couple on an American bridal magazine cover at the newsstand commanded her attention.

  The bride glowed with an olive complexion and dark brown tresses that cascaded down her shoulders, and the groom had skin the color of mocha and the body build of an athlete. He cradled her waist and kissed her forehead. Her eyes were closed, and a soft smile graced her face. The photo was captivating. The couple was gorgeous and complemented each other perfectly.

  She’d hire this photographer for her wedding.

  London purchased the magazine, meandered a few steps to the patio of a cozy little café, and sat at a table for two. She flipped through the magazine to find out the name of the wedding photographer for future reference. After a few minutes, she hit pay dirt. Michelle Hadley.

  Since she hadn’t heard of her before, she searched for that name. What a surprise. Michelle was a young, black wedding photographer based in Annapolis, Maryland.

  She must be pretty good to have photos of her clients on a mainstream magazine in France. She needed to book this girl for her wedding.

  London rubbed the diamond on her ring finger and gazed at i
t. She never should have broken up with Logan two years ago. He’d been so hurt, but he wouldn’t let her give back the ring.

  If she had stayed with Logan, she would just have been London Lane, the pretty wife of Logan Emerson. But because of her decision to follow her dreams, she was a model who graced the covers of local and international fashion magazines. She’d made enough money to last her a lifetime. But something, or rather someone, was missing from her life. And she was determined to get him back.

  London picked up her phone and dialed her manager.

  “Charlie, I need two weeks of me time.”

  “Why, darling?”

  “I have unfinished business in the United States.”

  “You can have the two weeks if you promise to do some photo shoots for magazines while there. I can arrange that for you.”

  “Deal.”

  “Let me work on your schedule. When do you want to leave?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “I’ll get the private jet ready.”

  “Thanks, Charlie.”

  “Anything for you, my dear.”

  London ended the call and smiled. She kissed her ring.

  Logan, here I come.

  Chapter 13

  Logan read the teleprompter. His words were well enunciated, his tone was professional, and for several months, his stuttering hadn’t shown up and ruined the show. Maybe God had cured him or at least answered his prayers to keep his stuttering inactive while he was on-air.

  Jimmy Moreno, the floor manager inside WJLA’s studio, gave Logan the sign to let him know that they were off-air for the commercial break. “Great job.”

  He grinned at the floor manager who had rooted for him since day one on the job. “Thank you.”

  Jimmy nodded. “You’re back on in two minutes.”

  Logan reached beneath his desk for his water bottle. Staying hydrated helped keep his vocal chords functioning properly. He took a sip and gazed around the studio. Carter had hired Logan immediately after his voice lessons ended. He gave Logan an anchor job, because he felt he was ready for the challenge.

  Logan prayed every day to make a good impression on his boss and the viewers, and so far, God had been answering his prayer. The viewers loved Logan—especially female viewers. Since joining WJLA, Logan’s professional Twitter account gained over ten thousand followers. He had hit his career stride and could only go up from here.