I grab my open laptop from off the bed and add it to the corner of the shot. “We’re obviously not rehearsing eating. If they were getting married in a church, we would rehearse going down the aisle in order and things like that, but since they’re getting married at the venue, we get to skip the work and just have dinner.”

“Well, I think it’s overkill.”

“What?” I ask dramatically. “You have a strong opinion about something? That’s so out of character for you.”

“And if I didn’t know for a fact that you love arguing with me, I would probably rein myself in until I knew I had you hooked. But, seeing as that isn’t the case, I’m going to let my inner weirdo run free with the wind in his hair.”

“Your weird inner self has long flowing hair?”

“Yours doesn’t?”

I shake my head and turn back around to the novel. I can feel Ryan adjusting his seat on the bed to check my progress.

“I never knew so much work went into these pictures,” he says.

“Most people don’t. Bookstagram is time-consuming but intensely worth it. And the sense of community is magical.”

“It sounds cool. So what do you think, should I moon the camera in the background? That’d be a fun Easter egg for your followers to find.”

“That would be a no,” I answer, looking over my shoulder. “But I will take your watch.”

“Prude.” Ryan slides the watch off his wrist and hands it to me. I check the image through my screen one more time and opt to place the watch just above and to the right of the book. I then stand on my bed to hover over the scene and start clicking away. I take about twenty pictures, altering my position every few shots so I’ll have variety when I choose which ones I want to edit.

Once I’m satisfied, I plop down beside Ryan to start scrolling through my options when my phone starts ringing. Jen’s picture appears and I accept the call.

“Hello?”

“Kara? Why are you wide-awake so early?” I lower my phone and look at the top of the screen to check the time. It’s 8:15 a.m. Sex on the reg is really affecting my morning routine.

“I don’t know,” I say, bringing the phone back to my ear. “I had night terrors.”

Ryan and I look at each other and I quickly remember that Jen knows about him. No made-up excuse was necessary.

“You what? No, whatever, okay, don’t hate me, I had no idea she was doing this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Mom!”

“Mom?” I repeat.

“Mom is on her way to your apartment!”

“What?” I immediately leap onto the floor. “Why is she coming here?” Fear echoes in my voice as I run my fingers through my bed-tangled hair.