Chapter <b>127 </b>
Charlotte couldn’t stopughing.
<b>“</b><b>Come </b>on<b>, </bn, <b>you’re </b>such a scammer. Two million for one photo? Who even sets prices like that on the spot?”
“Deal<b>,</b>” Sean said without hesitation. “Email it to me<b>–</b>sending it over the phone ruins the quality.”
Ian’s face lit up. He gave Sean a big thumbs–up.
<b>“</b>Now that’s what I’m talking about. I like your style!”
Charlotte was stunned. Her mouth opened slightly, but she ended up saying nothing.
Whatever. It wasn’t her money. He could spend it however he wanted.
She turned to take in the glowing sunset in front <b>of </b>her. The view was so beautiful it made her chest feel lighter, like she could finally breathe. She closed her eyes against the breeze, stretched out her arms, and let out a joyful shout.
The exhaustion from the past few days melted away in that moment. She felt more rxed than she had in a long time.
Mia joined in, shouting alongside her. Their cheerful voices echoed through the valley<b>, </b>startling a few birds into flight.
Vivian dragged herself up the trail, breathless and worn out. She frowned in irritation when she heard Charlotte and Mia shouting like kids, her <b>face </b>full of disdain.
Standing beside her, Mandy rolled her eyes and muttered, <b>“</b>Ugh<b>, </b>that idiot Mia called me low–ss? And now she’s up there yelling like that? She thinks that’sdylike behavior?”
Suzy chimed in, “Mandy, don’t stoop to her level. Anyone who hangs out with Charlotte can’t be much better.<b>” </b>
With that one line, Suzy managed to insult both Charlotte and Mia<b>, </b>earning chuckles from Vivian and Mandy.
Not far off, Lena suggested, “The <b>view’s </b>amazing. Why don’t we take a <b>group </b>photo?”
<b>“</b>Great idea!” Mia stood up from the rock. “Ian<b>, </b>you take it <b>for </b><b>us</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Ian looked annoyed.
“What? And miss being in the photo? No way<b>.</b><b>” </b>
He scanned the group, then turned <b>to </b>Vivian and handed her the DSLR.
“Vivian, how <b>about </b><b>you </b>take it for us?”
totally </b>oblivious to Vivian’s crush on Sean. He figured she had <b>been </b>clinging <b>to </b>him earlier out <b>of </b>sibling–like <b>closeness</b><b>. </b>
But <b>Mia </b>yanked the camera back <b>out </b><b>of </b>his hands.
“Nope,<b>” </b>
There <b>were </b>still photos of Charlotte and Sean in <b>that </b><b>camera</b><b>. </b>Knowing Vivian<b>, </b>who knows what she might do? What if she <b>deleted </b>them or <b>“</b>identally<b>” </b>broke the camera? Then not only would the photo <b>be </b><b>gone</b><b>, </b>so would the two million.
<b>Ian </b>frowned.
“Why not?”
Mia muttered under her breath, “Brain–dead,” then said aloud, “Just trust me. Don’t let them take it. I brought a selfie stick. We’ll <b>just </b><b>use </b>my phone.”
<b>“</b>Phone shots? Not even close to DSLR quality<b>.</b>”
<b>“</b>Not the same, but good enough,” Mia said as she pulled out the stick and mounted her phone.
“Lena, Charlottee stand next to me.”
Lena and Charlotte came over<b>, </b>one on either side of Mia
<b>Sean </b>moved to stand beside Charlotte Jordan stepped next to Lena. Ian shrugged and took his ce beside <b>Sean </b>
Mia held the selfie stick lugh and grinned<b>. </b>
“Okay<b>, </b>one<b>, </b>two<b>, </b>three–cheese<b>!</b><b>” </b>
<b>The </b>three girls beamed<b>, </b><b>all </b>shing peace signs. The guys just <b>gave </b>rxed smiles, barely hitting theers of their mouths. Still, it made for a pretty harmonious
shot
Mia snapped <b>several </b>more, changing up the girls‘ poses and expressions each time. The guys, meanwhile, kept the exact same look <b>and </b>stance in every pluoto
Off to the side<b>, </b><b>Vivian </b>watched it all with jealousy burning in her eyes.
“Seriously? They didn’t <b>even </b>ask me to join the group photo?” she muttered.
<b>+25 </b>Bonus