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Taking Shots

Page 155

   


“Yeah, I’m on my way to the studio.”
He nodded, kissing her cheek before moving around her.
“Okay, baby. I’ll call you, love you.”
“Love you, too,” she said as she watched him walk away. He was up to something, and Elli hated not knowing what. She would find out when she got home later. Sexual incentives always worked on Shea.
Always, she thought with a grin.
When Elli arrived at the studio, things were crazy.
They had a full waiting room and only two photographers, Harper included. They had been so busy the past couple weeks, which had been wonderful since Shea was traveling a lot. It was sad to say, but Elli actually couldn’t wait for hockey to be over. She and Shea had discussed going somewhere tropical as a vacation when the season was over. He had said he was going to take the cup with them, but Elli was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to do that.
Only three months left until she was in paradise with Shea. Three long months.
Elli didn’t waste any time. She threw her purse behind the desk and jumped right in, working her butt off to get everyone done and out, making sure they were happy. It was going to be a long day. The only thing that kept her smiling was that she would see Shea when she got home.
“Are you sure, Shea?” Bryan Fisher asked, as he leaned back in his chair, “It’s a big step.”
“Yes, I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life, sir.”
“Well then, you have my blessing.”
Shea smiled, nodding his head. That was actually easier than he thought. “So I guess I won’t have to pay you much for another five years, huh?”
“I don’t know about that. We’re buying a new house, and Elli likes to shop.”
“Well, darn,” Bryan said with a grin as he stood up, Shea did the same, “I was hoping I would be able to get you for cheap since your contract is about up. Guess I’ll have to pay you full price, even though I’m letting you marry my Eleanor.”
Shea laughed, “We’ll see if we can cut a deal.”
Bryan let out a gut busting laugh, and nodded his head before sticking his hand out for Shea’s, “Welcome to the family, son. That is, if she’ll say yes.”
“Oh, she’ll say yes.”
He hoped.
Shea sat beside Victoria in the gallery of Tiffany’s, wishing like hell he hadn’t agree to let her come with him. Everything she picked was disgusting, gaudy, and Shea knew Elli would hate it. The girl had expensive taste, something he knew Elli had, too. But Jesus, not only did he know Elli wouldn’t want a ten carat diamond ring, but really, what the hell would she do when she couldn’t pick her hand up to take a picture!? The damn thing had to weigh ten pounds and Elli’s hands were so small and cute, he was sure she wouldn’t be able to pick up her hand!
Shea stood up and the cute little girl behind the counter looked worried. She probably saw her big sale walking out the door. Victoria had no problem announcing who he was and what he did, so the girl knew he was shopping big. The more time he spent with Victoria, the more he disliked her. No wonder Elli couldn’t stand her. She was mean as hell, and he was pretty sure she was trying to sabotage his ring selection.
“I’m going to look around,” he said, as the girl and Victoria looked around.
“Okay, let me know if you see something,” the girl said. Shea nodded and started towards the back of the store. He was looking in the cases and wondering if he could get out of there without Victoria noticing, even though that would be wrong since he drove her there from the condo, when someone called his name.
“Shea! How ya doing!?”
Shea looked over at the sweet looking blondish brown hair girl that was smiling at him. She looked a lot like Harper, and that’s when it clicked. It was Harper’s littler sister, but he couldn’t remember her name to save his life.
“Hey,” he said, raking his brain for her name, she giggled at him as he walked over to her.
“Its Piper, I don’t think we really talked all that much at the party,” she said with a grin. He smiled back. She was a cute little thing, so different from Harper’s crazy ass.
“Piper, how could I forget. How are you doing?”
She smiled in delight, “Good, working my butt off since I took the semester off from school.”
“Cool, you like it here?”
“I do, it’s good work.”
“Good,” Shea nodded, looking at the case that she stood behind. It was full of different colored stones. When he saw the pink one, he smiled. Elli would love them.
“These are pretty.”
“Yeah, they are amazin’. My favorite is the pink diamonds, they are so pretty.”
“They are diamonds?”
“Yeah, you should see ‘em in a platinum setting, pure magic on your finger! They are awesome! You’ve never heard of pink diamonds?”
Wow. Once she got talking, she was Harper all over again.
“No, I haven’t. I thought diamonds came in one color,” he said, feeling pretty stupid.
“Oh no. What are you looking to get?”
Shea smiled shyly, “An engagement ring.”
Piper’s face lit up, before she started bouncing up and down.
“For Elli!” she gushed.
“Yes, but don’t tell anyone. Okay?”
“I won’t! Oh my God! This is awesome! Oh goodness! Come on over here, come look at these.”