When (he)arts Prevail

33

Presentations made, the band and Brian's team regrouped to get back to work while Kaylee prepared her own equipment to start taking photographs and do the job she'd been hired for. She had told them all to pretend she wasn't there, to simply do their own thing, so the shots came out more natural. She would catch them glance at her every once in a while, which was normal, and as long as they kept their attention on her to a minimum, the night would be profitable.

Kaylee took a few first trial takes, to test the light and the settings on her camera, adjusting whatever was necessary to make the shots clean. Only then did she positioned herself strategically to begin the real deal.

The band members each took turns recording and would all gather together afterwards to make comments and suggestions to improve what had been recorded. Kaylee tried to represent those moments in the photos she was taking, making sure to not only catch them individually but also in group.

Brian and Mike also made a few appearances in the photos because they both looked so professional. She could not help it.

When Mike called for a break more than an hour later, Kaylee sat on the corner of a couch, looking through her photos. Alexander came over to her and plopped down on the armrest closest to her.

"You know, it's really hard to pretend you're not here," he said in a low voice, like he was telling her a secret.

Kaylee put down the camera, the corner of her mouth tugging up at his words. "You've been managing just fine," she said, letting a small smile show as she looked up at him, realizing for the first time his eyes were blue. A darker shade of blue.

"Maybe I'm just good at hiding it."

"Hide what?"

He leaned down, even closer to her. "That I've been looking at you this whole time."

Kaylee shook her head, blinking. "Wow."

"Too much?"

"Maybe a bit," Kaylee chuckled.

Alexander faked a wince, rubbing at his head, before they both broke into laughter.

"So, do you prefer Alex or Alexander?" Kaylee asked him, busying herself with the settings in her camera to help her distract from the man beside her.

"However you decide I will take it."

That made Kaylee turn her gaze back on him and his lips broke into a charming smile. "I kinda like Alexander," she admitted.

"Then I like it, too."

Kaylee was used to flirting but Alexander had a way with it, or maybe it was the way his eyes lingered on her so intently. And so for a moment, shyness won her over. She looked down from his stare and continued to mess with the buttons on her camera. This time, however, she had no idea what she was doing.

Someone cleared their throat near them and Kaylee didn't have to look to guess who it was.

"You should eat something."

A wrapped burrito appeared in front of her, familiar tattoos snaking around a wrist and forearm she knew all too well. "Thank you, Brian," she said, her fingers grazing his as she took the offering. The touch brought her gaze to meet his in a brief glance.

He had a funny look on his face.

"What?" Kaylee asked.

Brian shook his head, wavering about with his own burrito, until Alexander finally stepped away. Only then did Brian sit down next to her.

"What?" She asked again.

"I can't believe you're flirting with him."

Him meant Alexander of course.