Through the Lens (Click Duet #1) (Bay Area Duet Series) by Persephone Autumn (best book club books .txt) 📕

“How’s it look?” Shelly asks through the fitting room door.

I stare at myself in the wide, full-length mirror and wonder what the hell I am doing. Being a goddamn idiot is what I’m doing.

My fingers toy with the black lacy boy short underwear, my eyes glued to the bra—also lacy, but resembling that of a leather cage. If I really want to, I can snap a few clips and the two undergarments connect and resemble a vixen-like leotard.

“Uh… I like it. I think.”

Actually, I love it. Shelly doesn’t need to know that, though. But why the hell would I need to buy lingerie like this? Not as if I have someone to wear it for. And I haven’t stepped foot in a club in years—the only other place I might wear something like this.

I stare at myself in the mirror as I fiddle with the lace under my fingertips.

Not as if I need clarity to strike, but let’s be honest. I know why I want to buy this. Want to wear it. The exact reason. The one person who has infiltrated my thoughts since the beginning of the week is said reason. Gavin. I picked up this sexy-as-hell lingerie set because I was thinking about him when we walked past the table. Part of me snatched it because it is black and punk and risqué. Another part of me is optimistic I will have a reason to wear it.

Many women wear sexy lingerie because it provides an air of power. Even if no one else sees it, they come alive with the provocative attire on their skin.

“You think? How can you not know? Let me see,” Shelly insists. And before I realize what is happening, the fitting room door opens and she steps in.

“What are you doing?” I whisper-yell.

“If you didn’t want me coming in, you should’ve locked the door.”

“Lesson learned,” I mumble.

Shelly’s eyes sweep over the racy ensemble before a low whistle leaves her lips.

Her scrutiny isn’t uncomfortable or awkward. Neither is the fact that she stands in a five-by-five dressing room with me while I wear next to nothing and she ogles my semi-naked body. We have been friends long enough to have more of a sister bond than anything else. That is not to say we didn’t share the curiosity phase in our younger years. But that was all it was for both of us, curiosity.

“He’ll love it.” She claps her hands together, a wicked gleam dancing on her face.

“Who?” Confusion laces my tone as I cock my head and stare at my best friend.

“Gavin,” she says, looking at me as if I have two heads for questioning her comment. “He is the reason you’re trying this on. Right? I mean, I know you’re unique in many ways, but no woman tries on lingerie like this unless she has a reason.”

Of course she is right, but I will not admit it. Not to her and not aloud. Geez. When did I become such a hot mess of confusion? Oh, I know. Since the moment I heard his voice drift into that banquet room. The logical side of me gets up in my face and screams. She tells me to finish this shoot and act as if he never stepped foot back in Florida.

But the rest of me… she is off traipsing along the beach, holding hands with the only person she has ever loved. The only person who stripped her bare and shattered her to pieces.

No, I refuse to be that lost, melancholy girl again. Downright refuse.

“Get out,” I mutter. “I need to change.”

Shelly registers the shift in my demeanor and steps out of the fitting room. When the door clicks shut, I take one last look at the siren lingerie on my body before stripping it off and tossing it to the side. After I redress, I leave the room and hand the lingerie to the attendant, thanking her.

“Not buying it?” Shelly asks, a sorrowful look aimed my way.

“No. I have no reason to.”

And that sad, lonely truth hits me harder with each step as we exit the store.

Chapter Eighteen

Cora

Fifteen years ago

Three weeks have passed since the first time Gavin sat next to me under the oak tree at school. Three weeks and we had become friends. Good friends. So good, we spend time together outside of school.

Gavin has even become a close runner up in the best friend department. Shelly will always take the lead. But after the first day, after he saw me adding his frame to my loner girl drawing, it had been nothing except uphill.

Besides hanging at lunch, we saw each other in art and English. Our conversations started off basic, discussing our family life and what we liked doing outside of school. Gavin seems to love art as much as I do, but swears his talents are nowhere as amazing as mine. Only time will tell that truth. We also like similar genres of movies.

By the end of the first week of school, I learned about his love for fish tacos, the beach, music, and sunsets. He told me a great day involved all four and the thought makes me smile at how easily they could be done together.

I lean against the wide trunk of the oak tree. Our tree. Retrieving the baby carrots and hummus from my bag, I start snacking as I flip through my book and wait for Gavin to join me. A page and a half later, he sits beside me and grumbles under his breath.

“You okay?” I ask and pause reading my book when I notice the firm pout on his face. His pouty face is kind of cute.

“Yeah. Just a little turned off by this tuna noodle casserole they’re serving today. It’s gnarly looking.” His pouty face resumes and I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“News flash, Gavin. All the cafeteria food is gnarly looking. Why do you think I bring my own food?”

He pokes his fork at the pale,