Don't Marry Your Contractor*

Chapter 26 - The Photo Shoot, Redux

Present Day:

Charlotte was watching Sportscenter from her hotel room in Anchorage when her phone rang. She was surprised when the caller ID indicated Beverly V. She smiled to herself. "Hello Bev, nice to hear from you. What can I do for you?"

From the other end of the call, Beverly laughed. "Char, it's so nice to deal with a woman who gets right to the point. Here's the bottom line, I'm doing a small gallery-only show to promote my next book, and I could not help but think of you. Would you be willing to do a couple of poses for me? Unlike my published work, these would be unpublished one-offs and remain in my possession and displayed only in my gallery."

Charlotte cogitated a moment. "Bev, would these photos be those very tasteful, yet semi-nude shots we talked about?"

"Yes, I'm doing a short series celebrating the beauty of the human condition. Men, women, and couples. But, I assure you that these will not violate your contract with the airline and besides, they will be displayed in my private gallery only."

Charlotte paused a moment before answering. "Bev, I'm intrigued. Perhaps there is something we can work out."

From her studio in Seattle, Beverly chuckled. "Go ahead Char, what are you proposing?"

"Well Bev, and I know that this is way below your pay grade, but Justin and I are getting married in Boise in the Spring. It will be a very small, private garden ceremony. We don't even have our location finalized yet. Would you be willing to be our photographer, I'll fly you down first class, put you up in a suite in the Grove Hotel and all of that."

Beverly laughed out loud. "Congratulations Charlotte, when you two posed for me in January, I knew it wouldn't be long. And yes, I'd love to. In case you are wondering, I got my first paying job doing weddings. There is always lots of fun, free food and usually an open wine bar."

"That's great Bev thanks so much, one more thing off of my to-do list."

"Excellent Char, ah, but..."

"Ah, what Bev? Go ahead."

"Yes, as to the private gallery shoot. As long as we are negotiating, how about three or four, two of you, one of your gorgeous fiancé and one of the both of you?"

Charlotte laughed. "I already know the answer, but all nude of course?"

"Of course, but to the same standard we discussed."

Charlotte paused, rolled her eyes and with a steady voice asked. "Sure Bev, we'll do it, what could possibly go wrong? I'll want copies for our private collection of course."

"Of course. I'll text you the details and we'll go from there."

The next day, from yet another airport hotel room in Seattle, Charlotte texted Justin.

/ Home tomorrow late. Good news, booked a wedding photographer /

/ Awesome. Was it the guy you went to high school with? /

/ No, Beverly V /

/ Wow! The famous one from Seattle? /

/ Yeah, the lady who took our first date photo back in January /

/ I know. Great pic. Can we afford her? Her work is awesome /

/ No charge. We just have to pay for her flight which is free, yay! and a suite at the Grove and... /