***

The sun was beginning its lazy descent, casting long shadows over the forest and tinting the air with a golden hue. The meadow, where they’d just finished their first set of shots, seemed to glow, the wildflowers catching the light like tiny lanterns. Harper and Ivy stood, brushing stray grass and petals from their clothes as Kim called the wrap for the meadow shoot.

“Alright, folks,” Kim said with a mischievous glint in her eye, clapping her hands together. “Let’s pack up and head back down.”

The gentle hill sloped down toward the denser part of the woods, the path winding between trees whose roots jutted out like ancient veins. Harper and Ivy walked ahead, their conversation barely audible to the others.

“Careful there,” Harper murmured as Ivy stepped delicately over a patch of uneven ground.

“I’m fine,” Ivy replied, her voice light, but Harper moved closer anyway.

When they reached a cluster of rocks, Harper didn’t hesitate. Her hands found Ivy’s waist, steadying her as she crossed. The warmth of Ivy’s frame against her palms sent a pulse of heat through Harper’s chest, but she masked it with an air of nonchalance.

“Thanks,” Ivy said, flashing her a brief, radiant smile before slipping out of her grasp and continuing down the path, oblivious to the way Harper lingered for just a second longer, her hands now shoved deep into her pockets.

Trailing behind, Kim and the videographers exchanged amused glances. “She’s got it bad,” one of the crew members whispered, earning a smirk and a nod from Kim.

“Completely oblivious,” Kim replied under her breath. “We might as well give her a push.”

Harper, still trailing a few steps behind Ivy, didn’t notice as Kim sped up, catching up to Ivy and gently steering her toward a massive tree at the edge of the path. Its roots twisted and turned out of the ground like a natural sculpture, forming a perfect backdrop for a whimsical shot.

“Hold up,” Kim said, planting her hands on Ivy’s shoulders. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s use this tree for some rest shots—you know, make it look like you two are taking a break from a long hike. We’ll get some drone footage, too. It'll be gorgeous.”

The videographers eagerly chimed in, adding to the plan. “What if Ivy leans into Harper? Or—hear me out—Ivy rests her head on Harper’s lap? Totally candid, very couple vibes. Perfect for social media.”

Harper perked up at the suggestion, though she tried to play it cool. “I mean, if it’s what the shoot needs...”

Ivy’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. “That’s... fine. Whatever looks best for the shot.”

They settled into place, with Harper sitting against the thick root and Ivy nestling into her side. The first shots were light and playful, Ivy leaning slightly into Harper as they shared a granola bar, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the forest. Ivy’s natural, unguarded beauty glowed in the soft light, and Harper’s faintly flustered expressions added an undeniable charm to the dynamic.

“Alright,” Kim called, her voice tinged with barely suppressed glee. “Let’s take it up a notch. Ivy, rest your head on Harper’s lap—like you’re totally relaxed after a long day hiking. Harper, just look natural; maybe snack on the bar or play with Ivy’s hair.”

Ivy blushed deeper but nodded, shifting to lie down with her head resting gently on Harper’s lap. Harper swallowed hard, her pulse quickening as Ivy’s soft hair fanned out against her thigh. She hesitated for a moment, then reached down, brushing an errant strand from Ivy’s face.

The cameras clicked and whirred, capturing the tender, almost ethereal moment. The sunlight filtering through the leaves dappled their skin, and the earthy tones of the forest framed them like something out of a romantic fantasy.

“Perfect,” one of the videographers murmured, adjusting their lens.

“Alright, last one,” Kim announced, her tone carefully casual. “Switch it up. Harper, you lie back in Ivy’s lap this time.”

Harper blinked, surprised, but Ivy was already shifting to sit upright. Her blush was still faint, but her expression was kind and encouraging. “Come on, Harper. Your turn.”

Harper complied, settling herself against Ivy’s lap, one leg bent against the trunk of the tree and an arm resting around Ivy’s waist. Ivy’s fingers tentatively found their way into Harper’s dark hair, combing through it absentmindedly. Harper let her eyes close for a moment, her features softening into a dreamy, content expression.

The final shot captured Harper looking up at Ivy with unguarded fondness, her smile small but genuine, while Ivy gazed down at her, her own expression a mix of warmth and quiet curiosity. It was a moment so intimate, so raw, that even the videographers fell silent, letting the scene speak for itself.

Kim finally clapped her hands, snapping the crew out of their reverie. “That’s a wrap! Great work, everyone.”

As the group began packing up, Harper and Ivy stood, brushing themselves off once more. The tension from earlier had shifted into something lighter, easier, though Harper’s heart still thrummed with unspoken emotions.

The five of them made their way back toward the cottage, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the path. Kim walked behind them, watching Harper and Ivy’s retreating figures with a satisfied smile. She might have pushed things along today, but it wouldn’t have meddled if it had made for great content, right?

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and orange, the group trudged back to the cottage. The air was filled with a sense of accomplishment, buoyed by the lighthearted energy that had carried them through the day.

Ivy stretched her arms above her head, stifling a yawn. “I don’t think I have it in me for painting tonight,” she said apologetically, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “Raincheck?”

“Of course,” Kim replied with a grin. “Go rest, Picasso. We’ll be here tomorrow.”

Ivy smiled her thanks, bidding the group goodnight before slipping into her cottage. Harper watched her retreating figure, a faint, dreamy hum escaping her lips as she made her way toward her car.

Before she could reach it, the two videographers from earlier appeared, intercepting her with wide grins and a mischievous twinkle in their eyes.

“Good luck,” one of them said, giving her an exaggerated thumbs-up.

“Yeah, we’re rooting for you,” the other added, their tone teasing but genuinely supportive.

Harper blinked, looking bemused. “Uh, thanks?”

The videographers exchanged a knowing glance before sauntering off, leaving Harper shaking her head in mild confusion.

She didn’t make it much farther before Kim rounded the corner, clapping a firm hand on her shoulder. Harper turned to see her boss wearing a sly, almost conspiratorial smile.

Kim tilted her head, her grin widening. “So what was that you said again about treating her as a friend? Just wanting to be supportive?” she said, her tone loaded with playful sarcasm.

Harper rolled her eyes, a faint blush creeping up her neck. “ I don’t know what you or everyone else is on about.”

“Uh-huh,” Kim replied, crossing her arms. “Well, for what it’s worth, even the crew’s rooting for you. We’ve all got your back, so don’t mess it up. And hey,” she added with a wink, “make sure we’re all invited to the wedding.”

Harper let out a laugh, shaking her head as she opened her car door. “You’re all ridiculous, you know that?”

Kim just chuckled, giving her a casual wave as she headed back toward her own car, getting in and driving off for the evening.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, Harper closed the door and started the engine, the smile on her face growing wider as she pulled out of the driveway. The teasing, the support, and Ivy’s soft, unassuming presence—it all stayed with her, warm and lingering, like the glow of the setting sun.

For the entire drive home, Harper’s grin never wavered a steady, persistent reminder of the day and the people who had, somehow, turned her unspoken feelings into something brighter, something hopeful.

***

Sadly the pleasant atmosphere surrounding Harper and her work with Ivy, Kim and the crew from the day before was short-lived as the next morning, Harper’s worst fear came true. Social media was ablaze.

“Wait, Harper’s wearing the same clothes two days in a row?”
“They totally spent the night together.”
“Ivy, girl, what’s the tea?”

The hashtags #Harpvy and #SnackBoxSecrets trended within hours. Even the ad itself, a charming mix of nature shots and friendly banter, was overshadowed by conspiracy theories.

Harper immediately called Kim and asked her to do damage control. However, Kim was over the moon. 

“Do you know how much traction this is getting?” she exclaimed, practically bouncing as she waved her tablet in the air in her office. “The snack box company just upped our sponsorship fee! Keep up the good work. Scandal sells!”

Harper groaned, burying her face in her hands. “All I wanted was to get through that shoot without anyone noticing my clothes.”

Back at her cottage, Ivy, however, wasn’t laughing. Her phone buzzed incessantly with notifications, and many of them were far from kind.

“Slut.”
“Attention seeker.”
“She’s not good enough for Harper.”

By mid-afternoon, Kim had stepped in. The social media account manager who handled Ivy’s account informed Kim of the onslaught of ill will and slander being thrown at Ivy, and so Kim decided to give Ivy a call to sort things out. 

“We’re putting out a statement. Ivy, let’s do a quick video interview to clear this up.” Kim explained to Ivy over the phone. 

“Do we have to?” Ivy asked, already exhausted from defending herself in her DMs.

“Yes. Trust me. Damage control,” Kim said briskly.

That afternoon instead of going straight into the painting studio to start work on Harper’s self portrait, the crew set up a camera in Ivy’s living room, and within minutes, Ivy was staring down the lens, her face calm but resolute.

“Nothing happened,” Ivy said, clasping her hands in her lap. “Harper stayed over because it was late. We played a video game, drank hot chocolate, and went to bed. Separately.” She paused. “Sorry to disappoint anyone hoping for drama, but that’s the truth.”

Harper, who had been looking on while lingering at the door, slipped away with an unreadable expression. Kim decided that the shoot should end early, seeing how tired and worn out both her Talents were. She decided to continue things when they were in a better frame of mind. 

The video was posted to Ivy’s socials, and though many fans were satisfied, the haters still continued to speculate, however more of the fans started to come to the girl’s rescue, sticking up for them and their platonic relationship, and telling the haters to leave them alone and let them be if they were just friends. 

Meanwhile, Harper left the set almost immediately after Kim said that they could wrap up, heading home and turning off her phone. Hearing Ivy say that nothing happened between them hit her hard, and although she knew it was to protect both of their reputations, Harper very much just wanted to ruin everything if it meant she could publicly be with Ivy. 

***