bChapter /bb275 /b

    b‘/bbWe’ve /bnever taken a family photo before,‘ Skr thought. ‘What a coincidènce to encounter a photographer today!

    Yosef suddenly thought of something and asked, “Mr. Sheppard, are you avable for a paid photoshoot? We would love to take a few more photos.”

    Holden did not n to take on any jobs today. However, after capturing what he considered his most satisfying shot, a perfect momentb, /bhe felt that it was meant to be. After giving it some thought, he quickly agreed to take the job.

    “Certainly,” Holden replied.

    Skr wanted to say something, but swallowed her words in the end.

    ‘It’s merely a photoshoot, no big deal,‘ she thought.

    Hearing they were going to take photos, Adam immediately abandoned his sandcastle. He dashed to the shoreline to rinse the sand off his hands and scampered back, excitement all over his face.

    He had never taken a photo with his parents before. It was rare, and he felt excited about it.

    Adam bounced with excitement and said, “Dad, Mom, I want to print the photo, put it in a fancy frame, keep it by my bed, and look at bit /bevery day!”

    Yosef nodded and said, “Dad will take you to get the photos printedter.”

    “Okay,” Adam replied in a sweet voice, grinning so widely his eyes disappeared into his smile.

    Yosef had never done a photoshoot like this before, so he was not sure how to pose.

    Holden guided him, “ce your arm around her waist, move a little closer, and smile. Come on, you two are an old couple now. Don’t look so stiff!”

    Yosef slowly reached out and lightly rested his hand around Skr’s waist, which was so slender that he could encircle it with just one hand.

    He even feared that the slightest pressure might snap her slender waist. As Yosef’s hand encircled her waist, Skr’s back stiffened, and her expression turned slightly rigid.

    Holden instructed, “Madam, your expression is a little stiff. Give me something softer, a bit more tender.”

    Since they were taking photos, Skr wanted them to turn out well. Therefore, she did her best to carefully adjust her poses and expressions as instructed by the photographer.

    Holden said, “Perfect, just like that, hold the pose! Wow, look at our little Adam, what a bright smile! Okay, just a while more. Let me snap a few more shots.”

    After one pose, they moved on to a few more. Holden examined the photos with great satisfaction and asked, “Would you two like to take a few couple shots?”

    Yosef replied immediately, “Yes, please.”

    Skr said, “No, thanks.”

    Holden’s eyes darted between them. “Well, who should I listen to?” he asked.

    b20533 /bbTh? /b1b, /bAUDIO)

    bChapter /bb275 /b

    bAdam /braised bhis /bbhand /beagerly. b“/bbYes/bb, /byes! Quick, take some pictures of Mom and Dad,b” /bbhe /bbsaid/b.

    b“/bbIt’s /bbtwo /bagainst one! Let’s get several shots of just the two of you,” Holden said, raising his bcamera /bband starting /bbto /bbdirect /bbthem /bbinto /bbposes /b

    The poses in the couple’s photos were far more intimate than the family portraits. Their bodies almost pressed bon /bbeach /bbother/bb, /bband /bthrough bthin /bswimwearb, /bthey could feel each other’s body heat.

    Yosef’s body was so warm. Skr could feel the heat seeping through their touching skin, spreading all over her until it bfinally /bsettled in bher /bchestb, /bmaking her heart race.

    Warmth spread through Skr’s chest, making her feel distinctly ufortable. She endured the final photo with Yosefb, /bbthen /bbquickly /b

    wrenched herself free from his arms.

    Yosef’s arms suddenly were empty, leaving a hollow ache in his chest. He absently rubbed his fingers together as if trying bto /bbhold /bbon /bbto /bbthe /b

    warmth she had left behind.

    Holden was too engrossed in reviewing the photos to notice the subtle tension between Yosef and Skr. Adam stood on his btiptoes/bb, /bcalling out eagerly, “Mr. Sheppard, let me see!”

    Holden lowered the camera, and he and Adam leaned in together to admire the photos. Yosef paid him well above the agreed brate/bb. /b

    “That’s way too much,” Holden said firmly, shaking his head as he tried to hand the extra money back.

    Yosef stopped him and said, “Please, keep it. It’s for the extra effort of having the photos printed and mailed to us.”

    AD

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