Less Than Strangers by Ember Davis

JAMESON
All my friends are getting married and having kids. I just have my job and my dad; I don’t need more than that. Still, I’ve never been one to turn down a new experience and sign up for one of those stranger shoots I keep seeing everywhere. I don’t know the photographer and I don’t really care. It’ll be a better way to spend a little time than at the construction site or at home.
When I turn around, I’m met with an angel. I want to shower her with all the cheesy pick-up lines I know, but they won’t work on a girl like her. Lucky me, she feels the same way I do—like fate is giving us the chance we both need. Suddenly, the worst day of the week is my new obsession.
When I go to Dad’s house for dinner, I think it’s the perfect time to tell him I’ve met the love of my life. I’m not expecting to see Monday there or to find out I have a new stepmom. If anyone thinks that’s going to stop me from making Monday mine, they’re wrong.

MONDAY
I’m used to making my clients happy all day, a smile on my face and a sunny attitude. I’m not faking it, but I feel like I can do more, be more. I want to do so much more with my career as a make-up artist than brides and prom looks. I love the makeovers where I can show a woman how special she is, but my dream is editorials. I want to make make-up into art, true art that’s appreciated.
It might be self-serving, but that’s why I signed up for the photography session with Ellie Banks. I know if I can talk to her then I could make a connection…and maybe an opportunity.
I wasn’t expecting to be paired with Jameson. He’s got bad boy written all over him, but I know there’s something deeper there too. I want to find out what it is. I want to be his; it feels right. I don’t know what to do with the little fact that our parents are getting married, even though we had no idea. I might not know, but Jameson does.