I parked at the bottom of the drive and lugged my equipment toward the pottery shed. Freya had asked me to meet her there at three, but when I tried the door, I found it locked. Peeping through the windows, I saw that the space was dark, the wheels covered in canvas, the clay sealed away in plastic bags. At first, I thought I had gotten the date wrong, but I would never mess up a session with Freya. She must have fallen asleep. Or maybe she was feeling sick.

Propping the lights and tripod against the building, I marched toward the house. As I passed the matching SUVs, I spotted the small blue Mazda. It was Jamie’s car, previously concealed from my view by the larger vehicles. My stomach constricted, and I tasted something metallic on my tongue. It was jealousy. Jamie and Freya were friends again. What did that mean for me?

As I reached out and rang the bell, I tried to calm my racing heart. Freya had told me I was the best friend she had ever had. And she had kissed me on the mouth. I didn’t need to feel threatened by Jamie. What I had with Freya was much deeper, more intense than a simple friendship. And Freya needed me now. Her Instagram was her top priority, and I was essential to its success. Jamie was extraneous.

The door opened and there Freya stood, tanned and gorgeous in a white button-down maternity shirt. “Hey, Low.” She appeared confused by my presence.

“Hi.” My voice was somewhat strangled. “I thought we were filming you in the studio today. You told me to come at three.”

“Shit,” Freya cursed. “I totally forgot. I’m sorry, hon. Jamie’s here.”

“I’ll go get set up,” I suggested. “You can meet me there when you’re done with her.”

“She came for lunch,” Freya explained. “We had a lot to catch up on.” Then she leaned toward me and whispered. “Now I can’t get rid of her.”

But I wasn’t buying it this time. I knew that Freya would go back inside, roll her eyes, and say the same about me.

That was Low. She always shows up here wanting to photograph me. I can’t get rid of her.

She was playing us off against each other. Why hadn’t I seen it before?

“Right,” I said, backing away, trying to hide my pain.

But Freya didn’t seem to notice. “Thanks for understanding, doll. I’ll text you to reschedule.”

With that, she closed the door in my face.

Chapter 42

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