Behind That Smile

Two

"Zayra, are they still not here?" I yell from inside my office.

My last clients are fifteen minutes late without any call. I don't know why but I feel worried about them. I only let clients be ten minutes late but since they're my last clients, I'll give them five more minutes.

"Not yet, Nelly." Zayra walks into my office with my regular drink.

"I'll give them ten more minutes and then I'll be calling it a day."

As soon as I finished talking, we heard the front door.

In walked a tall, dark man and a little boy who is his replica. I stop breathing for a bit as I take him in. He has dark hair almost black. His skin is like caramel candy, kissed by the sun. His body is toned and leaned. I see his muscles through his shirt. He's out of breath like he had been running. He's wearing a white button-up shirt and beige shorts.

"I am so sorry. I tried to get here as fast as I could but work didn't let me off early and then I had to pick up Benji." His voice is deep even when he's rushing it out.

I can't help but stare at this beautiful creature.

"Mr. Angelos, nice to meet you. Can I ask about where you would like to have the photos taken, inside or outside?" I try to be as professional as possible without jumping his bones.

"Call me Eros. I let Benji decide and he wants to go to the beach for the pictures." He smiles and shows off his perfect smile and dimples. That's adorable, I want to squeeze his cheeks.

"Um, that's, yeah, that's great. Is it his birthday?" I've never been this way over a man. What is wrong with me? I can barely talk.

"Yes, Benji is turning four years old tomorrow and I wanted to do this since it's something I've always done since he was born." An emotion passes through his eyes but is gone before I could tell what it was.

I crouch down to meet the little boy hugging Eros's leg. I smile at his adorable little white tuxedo.

I ignore that we have the same birthday and continue to be professional.

"Hi, Benji. Are you ready to have fun today? Do you like animals?" I put my hand out to shake his.

He puts his baby hand in mine and he smiles showing his dimples just like his dad. Aww, what an adorable kid.

Benji nods his head quickly.

"Well, I have a snake in my office and since you guys are my last clients, you can pet him if your dad lets you."

His forest green eyes go wide with excitement as he turns to his dad.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't know if that's safe." Eros tries to laugh it off but looks worried.

"I've had him for five years already. He's harmless but I completely see where you're coming from. I have more pets that are more on the fluffy side and not the fang side." I chuckle nervously. Why am I babbling?

Eros chuckles a little and smiles, "Yeah, that sounds a little better."

"Great, I'll get my assistant to go fetch my furry friends while we do the photo sessions on the beach." I straighten up and call Zayra.

After asking Zayra to fetch Diva and Rainbow, I grab my Canon EOS Rebel T6s.

As Zayra is leaving the building she's mouthing to me, "He's so attractive."

Thankfully Eros and Benji aren't looking back.

Diva and Rainbow are my calmest and oldest pets.

After grabbing my equipment, we head out the door.

We're walking down to the water when Eros turns to me, "I've been wanting to tell you since I walked in but wasn't sure on how to not come off as a weirdo. Anyways, I think you're very beautiful."

I feel my face get hot and I doubt it's the Winter sun. What is going on with me today?

"Oh, thank you. I was wondering if you were new around here. I've been here for around five years and I don't think I've ever seen you around. I mean since you say you always take your son photos. Not saying, I'm the only photographer in town but I-i-i." Why do I keep rambling?

He laughs softly, replying, "Yes. We moved into the city about two weeks ago. Benji likes the ocean so we decided a new start would be best around this time of year."

I look down at the little boy holding his dad's hand, "I love the ocean too, little guy."

He smiles up at me, showing his dimples.

I look back up to see a small smile on Eros's face.

"So how about you? I know you said you've been around for like four years so I mean what's there fun to do around here? Do you go out?" He questions, nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh, no, not really. I have been around here for some years and while I do know where everything is, I don't tend to go out a lot. I pretty much keep to myself and my animals."

"Do you have a large sum of pets?"

"Yes, I do. I love all animals and I made it my mission to rescue them. I'm working on a new project next door that will be finished in a month. It's a pet store and spa. I'm so excited to decorate and find all my lovelies a home. Of course, I won't be selling ALL my pets, just maybe the babies. I love reptiles more than mammals but I enjoy having all of them. Sorry if I'm rambling. I could go on forever about animals." I push back a piece of hair behind my ear from my bangs.

"No, it's okay, I enjoy listening to you talk so passionate about something. Keep going." He chuckles.

I feel my face burning but a smile makes its way to my face. He's sweet.

"Daddy?" a small voice calls.

We both look down at the little boy who spoke.

"What's up, Champ?" Eros goes down to be eye level with his son.

"I wanna go to the water." Benji starts jumping.

"My little man, we came to take pictures for your birthday. How about this, we take some photos and maybe if it's not too late, we'll go in."

"Okay, Daddy." Benji nods, looking determined at the ocean.

I watch the exchange between father and son and my heart jumps. How I love seeing families together since I can't have mine close to me.

I must have been starring because he's staring at me with a small cute smile. He must have said something.

"I apologize for staring. Um, I just find it so sweet how you talk to him. Did you say something? " I know I'm super red now since his smile gets bigger.

"I'm sorry if I'm being too straightforward but are you single?" His question makes me smile to myself.

"Oh, yes I am actually. I don't really give myself time to have relationships."

"Would you like to have dinner with us tomorrow night?"

We had stopped walking and we were just facing each other.

"I get out of work pretty late. I usually stay in the office until midnight to get as much work as possible. There was this one time, I fell asleep in my office and Zayra found me asleep in the morning."

I'll admit I'm a bit of a workaholic. I can work from home since I have a home office too but I sometimes get too caught up in my work and I won't stop working and by the time I know it, it's late.

"I can come by and remind you to take a break besides I need to come by to pick up the final photos. It'll be Benji's birthday and we would love to cook for you. We don't have many friends since moving here so what do you say?"

I was hesitant so he added, "Can you really say no to this adorable face?" And he picks up Benji. They're smiling faces side by side make it hard to say no.

I'm going to say it was Benji's face because I impulsively said, "Yes," not looking at Benji.