Stranger Shoot Series

ASPEN

I signed up to be part of Ellie Banks’ stranger sessions because I was swept up in the romanticism of it all. I didn’t think I’d get picked. When the day comes, I’m nervous as hell. Still, I need to find out what all the fuss is about. It’ll be a nice change to my routine which basically involves working at a bookstore.

I don’t know what I was expecting but turning around and meeting Liam was a surprise. He sweeps me off my feet in an instant. Que the swell of swoon worthy background music. The connection between us is undeniable and unstoppable.

What happens when we find out that we’re more connected than we thought? Is it going to stand in our way? Will he fight for me when it matters the most?

LIAM

My business partner encouraged me to sign up for an internet trend, citing that I haven’t been on a date in five years as enough reason. He’s no better than me, devoting all his time and energy to making our IT business what it is now. The hard work has finally paid off.

Five years is long enough to be holed up only worried about the business. That’s the only reason I agree to go through with the photoshoot. Had I known my Sunshine was out there waiting for me in the innocent form of Aspen, I would have looked for her a long time ago. She’s everything that chases away a rainy day; the clouds part for me with one look.

It turns out she should be off limits, but I’m not going to let anything stand in the way of our forever. I’d risk it all, even my business to make sure she’s the person I fall asleep next to and wake up holding every day for the rest of our lives. 

BRYSON

Being a police officer has been the most important thing in my life for a long time. The women I’ve tried to date before either get scared off by the job or they’re badge bunnies; I don’t want either. I don’t know why I signed up for the stranger photo shoot, but the moment I turn around and see her, I’m glad I did.

She’s everything I want in a woman and more than I deserve. That doesn’t mean I’m going to let her slip through my fingers.

When I get her underneath me, a broken condom has her running. She has no idea I want her in my life no matter what. She’s mine from the first look.

FIONA

I’m used to my days being filled with snotty noses, scraped knees and glue. I love the kids in my Kindergarten class, but it’s time to branch out and find more in my life. A stranger photo shoot sounds like the way to make that happen. I thought it would be fun and a little cheesy. When I turn around to find Bryson, it becomes so much more.

I spend the best few hours of my life with him. The longer he’s around, the less he feels like a stranger. The more he feels like forever.

I shouldn’t have freaked out over the broken condom, but all I could think about how similar it was to what happened to my mom. I made a mistake but have no idea how to fix it. It’s too big, too difficult and I’m too embarrassed. Bryson doesn’t give up, not on me or us.

GWEN

Planning events is my life and I love it; it’s the only thing I’m good at. I love the smiles on people’s faces, the memories they make, and the fun being had. I don’t even have hobbies. Building my small business takes up all my time.

I thought Ellie was joking when she told me she wanted to set me up with one of her stranger photo sessions. She insisted that she had the perfect guy to pair me with. I went along with it, but I should have asked more questions.

The man I turn around and see isn’t a stranger, though we’ve never met.  He’s the one man in the entire city of Denver who makes my blood boil and annoys me with only a whisper of his name. Benjamin Patterson. He has no idea how good he has it or how hard I hustle to get every client. It’s not Ellie’s fault, but this photo session was doomed before it began.

BENJAMIN

I signed up to do a stranger photo shoot because I lost a bet. It was stupid, I knew I was going to lose. I always lose to Gwen Mclean. I’ve never even met the woman. Her business is all about personalized care, but I have to bring in the numbers for my boss at Unlimited Events or my job is on the line.

We might plan celebrations, but there’s no time for niceties when it comes to business. I’m ruthless every time I know we’re going after the same client. It’s not personal until I’m looking into her eyes.

I’m not expecting Gwen to be the woman I’m paired with for the photo session, but I’d know her anywhere. She acts like she hates me, but I see the truth. I’m not going to let her keep pretending. I’m going to make her mine. 

LUCAS

When you’re starting your life over again, you go back to what you know. For me, that’s Denver. I thought I’d left this city behind, convinced I was on to bigger and better things. One second, one wrong step, and everything came crashing down. People pretend to rally around me, but it’s all fake as hell.

That’s why I signed up to do the stranger session. I needed to shake things up, do something new and maybe meet a pretty face at the same time.

I wasn’t expecting to turn around and see someone I recognized. We might have gone to high school together, but we’re still strangers. Then and now. How do I show a girl who knew my reputation back then I’m a different person now?

ALINA

I’m finally free of what I used to be. It’s a great feeling. I’m exactly who I want to be, who I knew I always was, but I had to fight hard to leave the nerdy bookworm behind. I’m finally the butterfly and I want to show it to the world. That’s why getting a free photography session was right up my alley; the fact that it would be with a stranger didn’t faze me at all.

I wish I’d turned around and saw a stranger. I might not know him, but I remember him. He was that guy in school. You know the one.

He says he’s changed. He says a lot of things. Does he really think I’m his? Can you fall in love with someone so easily? It feels real. The best way to test it, I guess, is to go back to where it all began.

SHERIDAN

I love my mama, but she did me wrong by giving me the name of an old lady. I have enough in my life to make me feel far beyond my 24 years, like having an eight-year-old daughter, and my name isn’t helping. I’ve fought hard to be the best single mom I can be. I’ve sacrificed so much, and I don’t regret a single thing.

That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have a little fun and meet someone my own age. Sounds like a dream to me. That’s why I sign up to do a stranger photo session. I’m surprised when I turn around and see Crawford because, even for an older man, he does it for me. In a big way. There’s something between us I would give almost anything to explore.

I think there’s a spark, but he walks away without looking back. Fate’s not done with us, though, and I don’t think he’ll be able to resist me a second time.

CRAWFORD

When you move to a big city it’s hard to get into the groove of things. Denver is the biggest city I’ve lived in, but I’m motivated to take on my new job and make the school better for the teachers and the kids. Elementary school is a new one for me, but I’m up for the challenge.

Moving and not knowing anyone could make anyone lonely. That’s why I apply for some photo thing on a whim. Why not? Right?

Turning around and seeing Sheridan makes all that loneliness disappear, but she’s 18 years younger than me. I don’t think that’s a gap we can build a bridge over. Walking away is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I must push her out of my mind and move on with my life.

When we meet again through circumstance, I won’t be able to walk away again. I’m a man who is only so strong. She’s mine and this time I’ll prove it to her.

JAMESON

While other people my age 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.