The Deal- Extra Chapters

When I'm Gone

Neil glanced over at JJ who had the phone pressed to her ear. She closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. He reached out a hand to her thigh, gently rubbing his thumb in circles in an attempt to relax her.

"Forget it. I can't keep on going back and forth with you guys. Thank you, but I'll find someone else."

"Cara," he whispered when she put the phone down. "It's okay, we'll phone the back up people. I'll do it. Relax for me."

"We're getting married in less than two months. We need a photographer, Neil!" She let out a groan before standing up and walking to the window. He glanced at her before rolling off the bed. When he approached her, he wrapped his arms around her, feeling her lean back in his arms. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You relax, I'll call the new people and hopefully they have a slot for us. Shall we order in today?" She mumbled something under her breath but the only word he heard was diet. "I won't pressure you into it, cara. If not, I need to make some lunch for your hangry ass."

"That's not funny," she said with a smile.

"Hmm, is it not? If I turn you around, I won't see that beautiful smile of yours?" He kissed her neck softly, closing his eyes. "I love you."

"I know. I love you too." A few seconds went by in silence. "Lets order some Caribbean food. If I'm going to order some food, I might as well go heavy." Neil opened his eyes with a laugh.

"Alright, well that place takes forever to deliver so lets order that first. I'll go and annoy Lara."

Before Neil could walk away, JJ turned around and pulled him in for a hug. "Thank you for being patient with me."

"No problem. I told you-"

"Are we ordering food?" Lara said, standing at the open door, a hopeful smile on her face.

"Are you eavesdropping?" Neil asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No. I went to the bathroom and heard you guys. Are you okay mama?"

"Just wedding stress, sweetheart." JJ walked over to the bed and picked up her phone. "Alright, what do you want?"

After ordering the food, Neil walked to the window, glancing at the traffic below him. He heard the phone ring several times and when he was about to hang up, he heard someone answer.

"Moonlight pictures, my name is Patrick, how can I help you?"

"Hi there. I do know that it is quite last minute, but my fiancé and I were wondering if you had any bookings in August for a wedding?"

"Right. That's just over a month away. Is there a date set?"

"Yeah. The fifteen." The man hummed to himself as he checked the dates. JJ walked into his line of sight and he smiled before pulling her to his chest.

"How many photographers were you thinking?"

"Two minimum. We have the videographer already, so that's no problem. We were thinking maybe three or four?"

"Okay...it seems doable. No promises just yet. Tell me more about the day."

"Planning to have a Church wedding. My fiance is going to leave from a hotel room with her bridesmaids. I'm going to be in a hotel too. Then there's the wedding and then we want to do a first glance beforehand. Then we're having the reception at my Ma's and we want to have a last dance where it's just the two of us."

"Okay. I'm sorry, I didn't ask for your name."

"Neil. Neil Zampa."

"Do you happen to know a Tony?"