Chapter 3

Morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of my studio, casting scattered shadows across the floor where Blake was setting up his camera equipment. Silver reflectors, tripods, and various lenses I couldn't name were scattered around my usual tattooing station.

"Nervous?" Blake looked up at me, those deep eyes holding a kind of professional reassurance.

"A little." I admitted, touching the tattoo on my collarbone. "I've never had professional work photos taken before."

"Don't pose artificially, just work like you normally do." Blake adjusted the lens angle, his voice relaxed. "You're most beautiful when you're focused."

I froze. No one had ever said that.

"Imagine you're creating a special design," Blake continued, "that state of complete immersion - that's what I want to capture."

I gradually relaxed, picking up my needle to sketch lines on practice skin. The familiar weight in my hand, that sense of control made me forget about the camera. Lines flowed under my touch like ink spreading on paper, each stroke having its own life.

"That's it." Blake's voice came from behind the camera clicks. "Don't stop."

I was drawing a lily, white petals layered upon each other, pure as fresh snow. For some reason, I thought of Avery - she had that same pure, ethereal quality about her, like these pristine lilies.

Fuck, why was I thinking about that?

I stopped, frustration creeping across my face. A bitter expression must have shown because Blake's voice suddenly cut through the silence.

"That's because they don't understand art." Blake lowered his camera, studying my face.

"What?" I looked at him confused.

"Your expression just now," he continued, "like you think your work doesn't deserve appreciation. That's because they don't understand art."

He was too accurate. I did feel like my tattoo designs weren't elegant enough, weren't... doctor circle material.

My phone suddenly rang, Mason's name flashing on the screen.

"Answer it." Blake said. "I can wait."

"Harper!" Mason's voice burst through the speaker, excited like a child. "Thank God you picked up. I need your help."

"What's wrong?" I tried to make my voice sound normal, but I could feel Blake quietly observing nearby.

"I'm going on a real date with Avery! Tonight! But I want to prepare something special for her." Mason's voice held a happiness I'd never heard before.

My throat felt like something was blocking it. Ten years, and he'd never asked what flowers I liked.

"She..." my voice began to tremble, "maybe she likes lilies, pure white lilies."

"Perfect! What do you think I should say? I want to tell her how I feel, but I don't want to be too forward."

I closed my eyes, feeling tears about to spill. "Just... just tell her you think she's special."

"Harper, you're truly my best friend." Mason laughed. "I don't know what I'd do without you. After tonight I definitely owe you a big dinner."

After hanging up, I couldn't control myself anymore. Tears poured out like a broken dam, my shoulders started shaking. I buried my face in my hands, feeling like the whole world was collapsing.

"Need to take a break?" Blake asked softly.

I shook my head, but the tears wouldn't stop. Blake didn't speak, just silently handed me a tissue and sat quietly beside me.

"I've loved him for ten years." The words escaped my mouth like a secret held too long. "I've loved him for ten years."

Blake still didn't speak, just listened quietly.

"He's never seen me," I continued, tears blurring my vision, "For ten years, I've been his good friend, his emotional dumping ground, his dating advisor. But never his woman."

"Someone who truly loves you wouldn't make you suffer like this." Blake finally spoke, his voice low and gentle.

"But I don't have a choice..." I looked up at him, "We're friends."

"That's not friendship," Blake shook his head, "that's one-sided devotion."

His words hit the most sensitive nerve in my heart. Yes, this had never been real friendship. Real friends don't let you suffer for ten years without noticing.

"Want to see the photos I just took?" Blake stood up, walking toward his camera.

"I... okay."

He turned the camera toward me, the screen showing photos of me working moments ago. I could hardly believe that was me. The woman in the photos was focused and beautiful, with a light in her eyes I'd never seen before.

"This is how I see you," Blake said, "a true artist."

"Am I... am I beautiful?" I could hardly believe I was asking this question.

"Beautiful enough to make it impossible to look away."

I felt my face flush. No one had ever looked at me like this, complimented me like this.

Blake gathered his equipment, moving slowly and methodically. "Tomorrow night I have a photography exhibition opening, at the Meridian Gallery downtown." He paused, "Would you like to be my guest?"

I hesitated. Mason might need me...

No, fuck it. I couldn't go on like this anymore.

"Yes," I said, my voice more determined than expected, "I'll go."

A genuine smile appeared on Blake's face, the kind that made his eyes crinkle. "Great. It starts at eight, I'll wait for you at the entrance."

As he finished packing and was about to leave, my phone buzzed again. A text from Mason:

"Harper! Avery said she's looking forward to seeing me again. I need you to help me plan the next step. Free this weekend?"

I looked at the text, then at Blake's figure about to walk out the door. This was the first time in ten years I had a choice.

"Blake," I called out to him.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for letting me see the real me."

"No, Harper," Blake turned back to look at me, "you were always there. You just needed someone willing to truly see."