Snapping Up Love (Insta Love Shy Girl Romance 3)

“Um...” she barely breathed, “Well, no, but...”

I realized she was nervous. “Oh, sweetheart.” I quickly set her back on the bench, pulling my hands away. “I’m sorry.”

“No,” she whispered, “It’s just... um.

..”

Taking her hand gently, I flashed a smile. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

She stared down at her shoes. “This is really hard to say.”

“Take your time. I’m listening.” I wanted so badly for her to open up and trust me.

Chelsea took a deep breath. “It’s two things, actually. First, I really would like to be your intern, and work with you, and wouldn’t want anything to get complicated for you.”

“Okay. What’s the other thing?”

“I...” She blushed ferociously. “I don’t know if I could do everything you might want to do.”

For a moment I didn’t understand. She obviously knew a lot about the industry, and was extremely talented. Then she looked up at me, biting that perfect lip, her soft eyes so nervous and innocent. It suddenly struck me how innocent she might be at just twenty-one.

“Chelsea, are you saying that you’re a virgin?”

She nodded, then looked away, her bottom lip trembling.

“Shh, oh sweetheart.” I held her against my chest. “I would never take more than you’d want to give. Let’s slow down. I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”

“I do want you,” she whispered. “I just might need, you know. Direction.”

I stroked her back. “Well, we’ve learned from your modeling that you take direction very well.” She laughed a little, and I felt her relax.

“Do you want to go through the festival pictures now, and I’ll try to keep my hands off you?”

Her expression was so sweet as she nodded. I was already head over heels for this precious girl. Now I just had to find out a way to make a relationship with her feel right.

I couldn’t have her looking up to me as a mentor if we were going to be a real partnership, and I couldn’t let her settle for anything less.

CHAPTER FIVE

* Chelsea *

I woke up the next day feeling off-kilter. My dreams were a scattered mess of exams and deadlines and Ben’s sexy lips.

Deep in my heart, I knew that I’d rather be his girlfriend than his intern. Yet I knew so many women who put men before their careers or education.

I knew if I called any of my female friends, they would tell me to follow my heart. That was what I always said to them, and it was the automatic response. This time I needed a more balanced opinion.

I called Dale. After confessing everything that happened last night, I could almost hear his mind running in circles around my problem.

“Let’s start with the basics,” he said. “How old is he?”

“I’m not sure, but somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty-five.”

“Does that bother you at all?”

“No, actually, I like it. I’ve never had the patience for boys.”

Dale laughed. “Yes, I know. You want a man who can take control, who knows the ways of the world.”