Wash

“Being with you is just as magical for me as Africa,” he said. “I’ve never stopped thinking about you, Ashly, not once. I’ve wondered what you’ve been up to all these years.”

“Well, you didn’t just ditch out on me, Jake. You also left your friends and family. You didn’t bother calling or emailing them, either, and they didn’t know if you were dead or alive. You just dropped off the face of the Earth.”

“I was just…ashamed.” He paused for a minute, then continued, “I actually came home a couple times, but you were so busy with school.”

“I didn’t know you came back.”

“Only a handful of people knew. I know you’ve always loved fashion and photography, so I’m glad you’ve been able to combine your two passions into a career.” A smirk grew across his lips. “I remember how long you used to spend choosing your outfit, fixing your hair, and putting on makeup.”

“Well, I had to look good. After all, you were the hottest guy in school. I had to make sure your attention didn’t stray.”

“My attention? Ashly, you’ve always taken my breath away.”

I smiled. “Thank you, Jake.”

“How much longer do you plan on being a fashion photographer and journalist?”

“I’m kind of sinking trying to do that while running my own business. Like that old movie, something’s gotta give. When my business takes off, as I hope it will, I’ll have to quit my job. But I also wanna start my own fashion magazine, so my journalism skills will come in handy.”

“You’re so smart and talented. If anybody can do it, you can.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

He smiled. “Anytime. You know, I remember a few of our photo sessions. Didn’t that one, uh…risqué one of me win first place in one of your photo shows? It had a black background, and I was looking down.”

I cleared my throat and looked away. “You weren’t naked, Jake. You were covering yourself with your hands, and it was a sensual photo. Nobody knew it was you because I shadowed your face.”

“Sensual, huh? Well, I’d like to retake that shot.”

A chill shot down my spi

ne. “Are you serious?”

A sexy grin spread over his face, and his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Dead serious.”

I met his gaze, and our eyes locked for a minute. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how anyone could be so damn handsome. My breath froze as I imagined what he looked like naked, in his grown-up body.

He shifted his stance. “Look at you, a blushing beauty,” he mocked.

“That’s only because it’s so hot out here,” I said, fanning myself. “And the answer to your question is no. I’m not retaking the shot.”

“But I think I can bring a lot more to the picture now—you know, in an artsy sort of way.”

“Is that just your fancy, humble way of saying it’ll be better because you’re so buff now?”

He smiled. “I wasn’t aware that you’d noticed.”

“Right,” I said. “You’d have to strip down to recreate that photo, and I think there are a lot of things we need to leave in the past, Jake.”

“I can’t make that kind of promise,” he said, slowly walking away.

* * *

That night, I decided it was best to sleep in my clothes; the African bush, in a tent, with Jake didn’t exactly call for a silk nightie. After I checked the sleeping bag for creepy-crawlies, I slipped inside it and made myself cozy. I also made sure I was on the other side of the tent, so Jake wouldn’t get any ideas.

Jake turned off the lantern. “Today has been amazing.”

“I can’t argue with that,” I said, snuggling into my pillow. “It’s not exactly some glitzy, five-star hotel, but this is pretty awesome, everything we talked about and more. There’s something magical about Africa,” I said.