But lipstick can be reapplied. There is always time to be kissed like this.
A clicking sound makes me push at him in shock, looking behind me as I see the photographer looking at us through the lens of her camera.
The beating in my chest falters for a second as I feel the way embarrassment climbs over me.
He was just acting for the camera.
“I forgot to tell you, princess. The photographer arrived when you were getting ready.” He says it so casually like it didn’t make me feel like a fool.
For a second I hate him.
Dante grabs my shoes from beside me, sitting in the chair at his desk and pulling my feet onto his lap as he rubs at the arch of my foot, making me turn to look at him instead of being nervous about being caught kissing.
Wiping the corners of my mouth from the lipstick I feared was smeared and trying to clean up the mess that I’m sure being kissed by him made.
My eyes are on Dante as he slides my shoes on, one after another. Staring down to watch him, wishing that the photographer was gone because I wanted him to kiss me again and see if he would kiss me back.
It couldn’t have been just for the camera.
My head was still spinning from the last one, conflicting emotions about it souring my stomach.
“We’re going to do a few poses here and then head out after. I figured you two could walk around the neighborhood?” The photographer lays out the plan for us.
We nod in agreement, Dante reaching out for me as I look up at him, allowing myself to be manipulated onto his lap.
My hand slides over his chest, one of my fingers hooking in the gold chain he is wearing around his neck as he gives me a soft smile, wiping a bit of smeared lipstick from the corner of my mouth that I must have missed with the tip of his finger.
“You look gorgeous, Ilaria.” The way he said my name makes me swallow hard, eyes on him as he lifts my hand, kissing my fingers before turning it to kiss my wrist as the photographer got a photo of us and the engagement ring.
But this move feels less like a play for the camera and more of a moment for us.
I have been called beautiful by men a lot in my life. Flirted with and hit on by strangers and yet something about the way Dante looks at me when he said it made me feel it. I felt attractive in his gaze and it warms me all over.
And I knew that was going to be trouble.
An hour later, we had already changed from our first clothes to something more casual.
Keeping on the matching shoes Dante shrugged off his jacket and I pulled on a white summer dress, curled into his side as we walked around the North End finishing off our shoot as we stopped at a patch of grass next to the Garden.
There was a makeshift tent to change in and I could see Dante checking his phone as he worries about the time.
I wasn’t selfish.
Today was an important day for him and he hadn’t expected the photoshoot that our parents had informed us of last second. I had seen it in his face when he had tried to get me to sign the permits how much he wanted his business to succeed.
I wanted him to be happy.
I always wanted to make everyone happy.
“We have one more outfit change. I also had your suit dry cleaned and dropped off at your office at Inferno so you can walk there right after this. I’ll take a car there around 4:30 to avoid the crowds and we can make an entrance together.” Having a plan always made me feel better and I was hoping it would help him too.
When my mother got sick my friends and I had come up with schedules. Maddie had been in charge of them. We made sure someone was always with her at appointments, that we all were in class, and that everything ran smoothly as she went through treatment.
Having something to do made me feel useful and helped me a lot when my world was spiraling.
The way he looked at me, surprised I had thought of his opening and was aware of his time surprised me.
I was used to managing my father and could work with a time limit. Knew the way men like to show up on time for business dealings and how it was a sign of disrespect when they were late to things.
“Go in your tent.” I pointed to him as I slipped into mine.
The final outfit was more casual.
A pair of jeans and white sneakers, a white camisole with a Red Sox hat that I had gotten in high school. It had faded from years of constant wear but I liked that it was broken in.
Stepping out, I saw Dante in his matching outfit, except he had a white v-neck that showed off his tattoos and a flat brimmed white Bruins hat with the old bear logo on it that I had picked out from his closet. The way that the jeans hugged his thighs made me bite my lip, taking a second before I could meet his eyes.
Casual Dante was very attractive.
Now that I thought of it, all forms of Dante were attractive to me. Which could be a problem going forward if I kept looking at him with goo-goo eyes.
I didn’t think twice, just took a few steps forward, and threw my arms around him. Without even thinking because I knew he would catch me.
His arms wrap around my waist, his lips pressing against mine in a quick kiss. We were getting used to the kissing, fast learners and eager to practice with each other.
Dante eases me down on my feet, his hands holding mine as we joke around in these pictures, since they’re less formal. It’s surprisingly easy to laugh with someone who I don’t know.
The photographer suggests a few softer ones but these were more of me running and him catching me by the waist and twirling me around instead of just laughs.