Charming Mr Stewart

7b. The Corner Booth

Connie snapped out of her trance and went into the kitchen. "Elle's with a man," they heard her tell her husband and whoever else was in there with her.

"A man?" Cal asked.

"A city man! And a woman."

Elle shifted awkwardly in her seat. "I'm sorry about that." She shuffled through her notebook to an empty page.

"Interesting town." Dean smiled.

"Has its quirks."

"You're not a native?" Kim asked and Elle shook her head.

"What made you make a tree change, Ms. Grace?" Dean said.

Elle tried to focus on anything other than their pretty faces. He was just a handsome man with an icy person accommodating him. Elle had dealt with many handsome men before him. There was no reason for him or Kim should intimidate her. She only wished her eyes would behave and stay strictly professional. Kim was throwing her dirty looks now and then, and it made her uncomfortable.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Stewart? It's a scorching day outside and I'm sure your stay is short."

"You could have dinner with me one day," he suggested. And next to him, Kim snapped straight. "I want to see if I could get you interested in covering a wedding for me?"

"Yours?" Elle eyed the couple.

Dean shook his head. "I heard you're quite good."

"Where are you from, Mr. Stewart?"

"Sydney, like I said."

"The Northern Beaches, I'm guessing," Elle queried. He nodded. "Why have you driven all this way to whoop-whoop for a wedding photographer when your area is teeming with big names?"

"Exactly what I've been asking him." Kim furrowed her brows.

"I need a guarantee that there'll be no dramas," he said, though more pointed at Kim than Elle. "No leaks of confidential information, nor photos, and so forth. My family's privacy and safety are important to me."

Elle took a gulp of water. "And you think I'm your man?"

Dean regarded her for a moment with a smirk as Kim huffed beside him. "Are we making you uncomfortable?"

Elle shook her head. "It's not that Mr. Stewart. I just don't think I'm the photographer for you. I don't have the skill set you require or manpower."

He was quiet for a while. "That's disappointing to hear, Ms Grace. I came based on a reliable opinion that you were as good as if not better, and fair than the big names, as you call it."

"Whose opinion?" Kim asked.

"When did you need the service?" Elle ignored the woman. They were talking business, for God's sake. A proposal she was likely going to reject. "If it's soon, then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you." She watched Connie bring over the plates of food. "Even in a small town, wedding season can get busy."

"You're getting married?" Connie asked with her full attention on Dean Stewart again. He smiled, pulling his plate close. "Oh, I see. You want Ellenor to cover your wedding? Wonderful camera woman she is."

Dean glanced at Elle. "So I've been told." And Elle swore she saw Kim pull a face from the corner of her eye.

As much as she wanted to prolong lunch with Mr. Stewart, she was in equal want of being done with Kim. She was acutely aware she no longer knew how to deal with city clients anymore, nor had the patience to deal with the likes of Ms. Van Belt's company. And so, she tried her best to hurry her lunch. She felt self-conscious sitting across from Dean Stewart and eating a meal.