tail. It was more than what she was wearing, though. There was something about her that drew him in and her skin glowed like she was lit from the inside. And it wasn’t the summer heat. The air-conditioning made sure of that.
“You look good,” he said, then realized how awful that must sound. “I mean, well.”
She laughed a little. “Thanks. I think. I’ve been busy, but trying to take a little time off for me. It’s wedding season, though. I’m booked every weekend from now until Thanksgiving.”
“No summer vacations for you then, huh.”
“Not really. Weddings really take up an entire weekend, with the rehearsal on the Friday and sometimes a family event on the day following the ceremony. And sometimes couples want engagement pictures, or have an engagement party, bridal shower...”
“They hire photographers for that?”
She waggled her delicate brows a little. “If there’s money? Oh, yeah.”
“Do you only do weddings?”
She unfolded her legs. “No. I mean, I do things like special occasions, engagement parties, graduations, anniversaries, that sort of thing. I even had a few gigs as prom photographer for a few different schools.”
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “It doesn’t leave a lot of time for your nature stuff, does it?”
She shook her head, the tips of her ponytail touching her shoulders. “Not as much as I’d like. I try to get out of the studio a few times a week and take landscapes and candids.”
“Like your mama and cubs photo.”
She smiled then, a genuine, happy smile that lit up her eyes. “You remember that piece.”
“Of course I do. How you got such clarity with the sun coming up and the little bit of mist on the grass... I don’t know how you did it.”
She took a sip of her lemonade, then nodded. “The scenery here is so beautiful, and I like experimenting with different filters and lenses. I sell some of my prints, but it’s not enough to make a living and pay the rent on the studio. Weddings help me keep the lights on. But that means I don’t have as much time as I’d like to explore the other stuff.”
Her eyes lit up when she talked about her work. He could relate. There was nothing he enjoyed more than setting up a new store from the ground up. “But as you said, weddings are on weekends. Surely you have time during the week? More than a day or two?”
She laughed, a sound as light as sunbeams. “You mean when I’m not looking after the business side of things, and editing photos? You wouldn’t believe how long editing takes.”
“I never thought of that.”
She smiled. “I try to get out as much as I can, but lately I...”
Her words trailed off and her eyes widened, as if she’d been caught saying something she shouldn’t.
“Lately what?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Oh, it’s nothing. So you’re looking at opening a new store. That sounds exciting.”
It was a deliberate evasion and he knew it, but he wasn’t going to push for information she didn’t want to give. She was a relative stranger, after all, and Adele’s best friend. There was no need to be rude or prying. Though he couldn’t help but wonder if her glow and now her evasion had anything to do with a new relationship. It shouldn’t matter, because she’d already made her feelings clear. But it did. What kind of man could capture the heart of a woman like her? He’d have to be someone special. Drew had definitely gotten the impression that Harper wasn’t the type to settle for just anyone.
“It is,” he replied, taking a sip of his beer. “Aspen Outfitters would fit in well here, I think, with tourists and locals alike. It’s a good market. Besides, I love building a new store. I like the challenge.” It certainly beat sitting behind a desk or in a boardroom. With growth came responsibility. He accepted it, but sometimes it weighed a bit heavily.
Adele came back in, bringing a bowl of pita chips and a dish of dip. She put them down on the coffee table. “I’m assuming you’re staying for dinner, but I thought you might like a snack for now.”
“God, your homemade hummus is to die for,” Harper said, leaning forward to grab a chip and scoop it through the smooth dip.
“I laid off the garlic, too. I know it’s...”
She didn’t finish her sentence.
Drew helped himself. Harper was right. The hummus was delicious, and he wasn’t a huge fan normally. “You don’t like garlic?” he asked, before popping another chip in his mouth.
“Oh, I like it. It just doesn’t like me right now.”
He frowned a little. Why would there be a change? Not that it was a big deal. It was hummus, for Pete’s sake. But that was the second time one of them had stopped midsentence. He wondered if he’d interrupted something important. Something that was none of his business. He considered leaving, but then knew it would look odd if he left without at least seeing his brother.
They made small talk for a little while, until the door opened and closed again and Dan called out hello.
“We’re in here!” Adele called back.
“We?”
Dan stepped into the room and Drew grinned at the look of sheer surprise on his face. He got up and gave his brother a bear hug and received one in return.
Dan clapped him on the back. “What the hell?” He laughed, stepping back. “We weren’t expecting you!”
“I know. And I don’t have any desire to disturb the newlyweds’ love nest. I’m at a hotel.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you can stay here.”
Drew laughed. “Yeah, well, thanks, but I’m comfortable where I am. You guys deserve your privacy.”
That Dan didn’t argue further, and Adele blushed a little, told Drew all he needed to know. The hotel had definitely been the right—and most considerate—choice.
“You’re staying for dinner, though, right?”
“Sure.”
Dan finally noticed Harper. “Oh, and of course you’re staying, too, right?”
“Oh.” She looked surprised and slightly uncomfortable. “I should probably get back.”
“To what? The workday’s over. Stay,” Adele insisted. “I’m going to grill some chicken and make risotto. I’ve got falafel I can make for you, unless you want something else.”
Right. Drew remembered now from sitting next to her at the wedding. Harper was vegetarian.
“No, no, whatever you have is fine. You know I love falafel. Particularly if you have tzatziki from the market.”
“It’s settled, then.”
“Let me help you in the kitchen,” Harper offered, getting up from her chair. When she did, she pressed her hand to her back and stretched.
Once they were gone, Dan undid his tie and took it off, stuffing it in his pocket. He sank into a chair and sighed, then grinned. “It’s good to see you, Drew.”
“You, too. You guys look really happy. I’m glad.”
“We are. Very.”
Adele snuck in and handed Dan a cold beer, kissed his head and took off again.
“Did you really just come for a visit? It’s unusual for you.”
Drew shook his head. “As much as I’d be brother of the year if I said