Chapter 2

Dylan poked his head out from behind the camera, brow slightly furrowed.

"Lily, can you move over a little?"

"The light is falling perfectly on Wendy's face right now. The client needs these shots. We can't mess this up."

He paused, then added.

"I'll take some of just you after."

My fingers went numb. I spoke quietly.

"This is the spot I was assigned to stand in."

Dylan sighed and walked over to me.

He reached out to ruffle my hair, but I turned my head away.

His voice carried a note of resignation.

"Stop being like this. Wendy's dress is a dark color today, so she needs to stand in the center to catch the light."

He lowered his voice.

"Just work with me today, okay? Once the client approves this set, I'll make it up to you."

Wendy smiled at me apologetically.

"Lily, why don't you take the center spot? I really don't mind. I don't want you two fighting because of me."

Dylan turned toward her, his voice softening.

"We're not fighting. She's just a little tired today. Hold your position and don't move. That angle is perfect."

I looked down at the lens cap in my hand.

Then I quietly stepped back two paces.

"Go ahead and shoot."

The shutter clicked in rapid succession. Dylan kept his eyes on the screen, giving occasional direction on posing.

From start to finish, he didn't spare me a single glance.

When the shoot wrapped up, everyone suggested going out for dinner.

Dylan smoothly took the prop umbrella out of Wendy's hands and turned to look at me.

"Let's go get Mexican. There's a new place that just opened up the street."

I stood where I was and looked at him.

"My gastritis just cleared up. I can't eat spicy food this week."

Dylan paused.

He came over and put his arm around my shoulder.

"Everyone said they want to go."

He hesitated, then continued.

"That place has mild options too. I'll order you a plain soup so you don't have to touch anything spicy. Just this once, okay?"

That dinner brought back a memory. Another group outing, another table full of spicy food.

We had just started dating. Not wanting to seem difficult in front of everyone, I pushed myself and took a bite.

By midnight I was curled up on the edge of the bed, shaking from the pain.

Dylan went pale with fear. He carried me on his back and rushed to the emergency room. He never let go of my hand the whole time.

After that, he wrote it down in his phone's notes app: Lily can't eat spicy food. Needs bland food when her stomach hurts.

Back then, he would've brushed off everyone else's suggestion without a second thought. Just one sentence: Lily can't handle it.

But now, he clearly still remembered.

The arm around my shoulder felt suffocating.

I nodded.