Maybe the wine I had earlier has me feeling audacious tonight. When Mason asked what my plans were for tonight, I told him I was going home and calling it an early night. I’ve been up since 6 a.m. doing a shoot for an impromptu shoe campaign. A shoe campaign that consists of 25 shoes, each shot from seven different angles. I’m not complaining though, I love what I do and I’m used to being on my feet all day long. No pun intended. Through a yawn, Mason told me he was doing the same. Maisie has been what Mason calls a ‘night terror’, sleeping for the majority of the day and then crying all night. It’s gotten so bad to the point they’ve hired a night nanny so they can sleep through the night. When I met Maisie for the first time, for the entire two and a half minutes that I held her she was screaming, arms flailing and snot running down her nose. I always knew I never wanted kids but that moment solidified it even more for me. 

Truth is, I was going to call it an early night. But five minutes after getting off the phone, I changed my mind. 

It’s been two days since I saw Leo. He hasn’t called me and any sane person would take that as an obvious sign of rejection. 

Clearly, I’m not sane because here I am, in front of The Rabbit Hole. 

A couple holds the door open for me as I’m walking in, which surprises me. This isn’t exactly the type of place you’d bring your girlfriend to. The entrance looks the same except this time the black curtain that was concealing the lounge is pinned to the side. I have a clear view of the front lounge which is lit with purple lights this time. The older man still plays the piano at the end of the room while to the left a bartender serves a couple of men at the bar. 

A server waves at me grabbing my attention. When he gets closer he smiles. “Hey welcome back! Bar or table?” The first time we came he didn’t give us an option so I’m assuming men only come here alone to sit at the bar and eye the servers. I almost tell him I want a table so he wouldn't think I’m one of those guys, but at this point, I’m exactly one of those guys. I answer him and he hands me a drink menu then mentions a special drink they’re having tonight. “Make sure you ask the bartender for the dragonfruit special.” He whispers to me and moves back up front.

At the bar, I take a seat at the end, three empty seats between me and the other guys. “Good Evening Sir. What can I get started for you?” A tall man built like a professional MMA fighter in a tight white button-down approaches me. With sleeves of tattoos on both arms, he carries a hard expression across his face. He has blond ash hair almost ginger and a full beard. In his hand, he’s shaking a cocktail which he sets down in front of him to take my order. I don’t order the dragonfruit special and opt for a Red Wine Sangria instead. 

“Lovely choice.” He sings picking up the shaker and turning. 

While I wait I scan the room again. In between when I first took a seat at the bar and ordered my drink, the boy at the front has ushered at least six groups to their tables. Mason and I came here on a Sunday night and as the night went on, more and more people came in. So I figured it would be packed on a Friday night but not this packed. The food is decent, better than most restaurants. But I know that’s not the main reason everyone comes here. 

So far tonight I’ve spotted three servers, and that’s just in the front room. I have no idea how many are in the other rooms and I don’t even know if he’s working tonight. The bartender comes back over to me and slides me my drink as I pull out my card. He asks if I want to keep the tab open which I shake my head to and he tells me to enjoy my drink. He tells me to let him know if I don’t like it so he can remake it before turning to help someone else who just sat down. 

His personality is the complete opposite of his appearance. He looks like the type of guy who would fight you just for looking at him wrong. But when he spoke his voice was soft and calm, like one of those guys that narrate on meditation apps. I’m in the middle of taking a sip when I hear someone come up behind me.

“Hi, stalker.” 

Leo slips into the bar stool next to me. He’s in the same uniform as everyone else; a tight leather bunny suit, fishnet leggings, a choker, a mask, and bunny ears. But he stands out more than the others. Before I can say anything he speaks again. 

“How did you know it was me?” How did I know it was him at the coffee shop, he means. He lowers his shoulders and leans his elbows on the counter slightly lowering his eyelids, waiting for my response. Something about him is so sensual, every movement he makes feels like he’s trying to seduce me.

I put my drink down and face him. “Well, I heard your manager say your name and it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.” I rake my hair back and continue. “That and your eyes. You have the most mesmerizing eyes I’ve ever seen.” 

He playfully rolls his eyes and the edge of his lips rises. “I hear that every day. You’re going to have to be more original if you want to get in my pants.” Raising his hand, he motions for the bartender to come over. In response, the bartender puts up one finger and mouths one second.

He puts his hand down and removes the mask from his face, fixing his messy hair. Seeing the confusion on my face, he tells me they’re not required to wear the masks at all times and it doesn’t matter anyway because I’ve seen his face. 

Responding to his previous statement I tell him I’m not trying to get into his pants to which he shoots me a skeptical look. “You wouldn’t fuck me?” He asks point blank. So casually, I’m taken aback for a second. Even though we’re far from the others at the bar and just out of earshot from the podium at the front. 

“Not until I got to know you first,” I state simply, leaning closer. I grew tired of hookups and one-night stands halfway through college but I’ve never been in a serious relationship. 

Leo is quiet for a second then bursts out laughing. “Wow, a stalker who’s also a gentleman. You’re starting to sound like a serial killer.” 

Without missing a beat I reply, “Nah if I was a serial killer I would wait until your shift was over then kidnap you in the alley.” I nod toward the door in the corner of the room where I saw a cook with trash bags go through earlier. He stops laughing immediately and stares at me blankly. The same blank expression I couldn't read at the coffee shop.

 Great job Jordan. He already thinks you’re a creep now he’s going to file a restraining order against you.

I begin to tell him I’m just kidding but he cuts me off and faces forward. “Mmm, a sense of humor. I didn’t expect that from you.” Looking at me out of the corner of his eyes while slightly smiling he places one hand under his chin. The only thing I can think of right now is how I want to capture this moment, and I know I’m staring but I can’t help it. Being a photographer my entire life I can instantly spot if someone would be good in front of the camera. And he’d be fucking amazing. He has a pretty face and a nice body but more than that, it’s the way he carries himself. His effortless demeanor and every move he makes is almost hypnotizing. I feel bad for all of the hearts he’s probably broken throughout his life, both men and women.

“L, my sweetheart. What can I make for you, honey?” The bartender is back in front of us wiping a glass on a dishtowel. “Just water with crushed ice please.” Leo takes the glass of water he’s handed and the bartender turns to me. “Is everything alright with your drink?” I tell him it’s perfect and he nods back before turning away. “Thanks, Romeo,” Leo says.

Romeo. I would have never expected that name from a guy who looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Once he’s gone I turn to Leo. “You work two jobs?” I want to know more about him. Even if he doesn’t let me photograph him. A small part of me is hoping he won’t do it. Because I have one strict rule when it comes to the models I work with. 

He hides a smile as he puts the cup to his lips. “Nope, that was my twin.” I watch as he drinks and realize I need to turn off the camera in my brain because all I can think of is how perfect his profile is. Sharp jaw, a few freckles on his neck beauty mark under his eye, and an ear piercing. 

“Can you tell your twin to call me? He has my number.” I joke and he lets out a dry laugh but doesn’t say anything else. I take the opportunity to just flat-out ask. 

“Would you let me take photos of you?”

 He immediately sets his cup down and narrows his eyes. “Are you a pervert?” 

I blink a few times. “What?”

“That’s something a pervert would ask. Isn’t that why you’re soliciting me?” He cocks his head to the side. “You want to take nude pictures of me, right?”

I don’t even attempt to hide the shock on my face. “No, I’m a photographer,” I stammer. “I’ve never taken naked pictures of anyone.” He sips on his water again and I hear him mumble an “mhmm.” 

As in mhmm sure you haven’t.

I quickly reach into the pocket of my jacket. “I’m serious. Here’s my business card.” He eyes the card when I hand it to him. “You can look me up and decide for yourself.” 

With the card in both hands, he reads my name out loud. “Jordan King.” 

Damn. I love the way he says my name. 

He sticks the card into the top of his one-piece as I begin to assure him he doesn’t have to do it.

“I don’t want to come across like I’m pressuring you,” I start. “You can say no and I’ll leave you alone.” It just occurred to me how persistent I’ve been, visiting him at his place of work three times now. Hell, I wouldn’t even be talking to myself right now if I was him. I’m surprised he hasn’t told me to fuck off yet. 

It’s strange, I’ve never chased after someone like this before. I just met him but something is gnawing at me to not let him go. 

He stares at me in silence so I keep going. “I don’t know if anyone has ever told you how photogenic you are. So I-”

“Hiiii!” We both turn to see who cut me off. A different blonde boy in a bunny mask comes up from behind us and hugs Leo’s arm. “Ah, you’re on break.” He looks at Leo’s mask on the counter in front of us then turns to me. “And who’s this?” Smiling ear to ear he reaches out his hand. “I’m Eli.”

“Jordan.” I shake his hand.  

“He’s a photographer,” Leo adds. Eli perks up at that.

“Ooh really?! That’s amazing I’ve been looking for one!” He lets go of Leo’s arm and stands next to me. Unlocking his phone he lifts the screen so we both can see. “There’s this guy I follow, his name is @ jasonkane on insta. He’s an actor.” He angles the screen to me and starts scrolling. “I like his pictures but my friends never know how to take good pictures of me. I’ve been meaning to find a photographer.” I don’t tell him that I know Jason and one of the posts he just scrolled past I was a shoot I did. 

I keep glancing at Leo who’s watching us both with the same expression that I can’t read. I have no idea what he’s thinking but his eyes stay on me.

Eli is now showing me locations he wants his pictures taken and the clothes he wants to wear. In the back of my mind, I already know I won’t have the time, but more than that, I don’t want to take his pictures. I only want Leo’s. But I don’t want to be a dickhead to his friend so I continue to entertain him as he tells me he wants to be an actor and shows me pictures on his Pinterest board. Eli begins to ask me what my schedule looks like and finally, after about three minutes of watching us, Leo cuts in. 

“Eli, he’s busy and taking pictures of me this weekend.” Eli stops scrolling and pouts at Leo. “Aw, okay you want him all to yourself. I get it.” He moves to hug Leo’s arm again and faces me. “But tell me when you’re free, okay? I just want to do one photo shoot.” He puts up one finger. I tell him sure and he kisses Leo’s cheek before telling us he has to go back to his table and walks off.

Once he’s gone I face Leo. “So you’re up for it?” He slides his empty cup forward and stands up. “I’ll think about it.” He replies flatly and turns. Then flashes me a tiny smile over his shoulder. “I have to get back to work. I’ll see you around.” 

Before I can reply he’s out of the room. 

I take a sip of my drink that’s mostly melted ice now and try to suppress a smile. 

I’ll see you around. 

So I guess he won’t be filing a restraining order.