Had Amanda been talking about her? It was clear that she’d said something. Emily was scrutinizing Snow carefully, as though trying to decide whether what she’d been told was true or not.
“Have you and Amanda been friends for long?”
“Ever since we were in college. She doesn’t keep a lot of friends, but those of us who are in her circle are lucky to have her.”
“What’s she like?” Snow asked rather breathlessly. “To her old friends, I mean?”
Emily smiled. “Amanda is fiercely protective of those she loves. She never shies away from a fight, especially if it’ll benefit her or something she cares for. It’s one of the things that drew her and Nicole together—and also the very thing that ultimately drove them apart.”
“Nicole?”
“Amanda’s ex-wife. She left her around six months ago.”
Snow felt a surge of sympathy for Amanda. Maybe that’s why she had been so standoffish with Snow; she was hurting, still missing her ex-wife. Perhaps Snow had done something that reminded her of Nicole.
“I don’t imagine she was very kind to you.”
Snow looked up in surprise. “She said something?”
“Don’t take it personally, Snow. Amanda is very competitive. She doesn’t like anyone outshining her.”
“The greeting cards,” Snow realized. “She’s angry with me because mine are doing so well?”
Emily nodded. “I’m sure she’ll get over it eventually, but for now, know that you didn’t see the best side of her. Amanda can be a real ass when she wants to be and I’m very sorry you got caught up in that. There are many more sides to Amanda.”
Snow wished she could have seen some of those sides. She thought she might have caught a glimpse of one of them when she and Amanda had that intense moment together, as Snow was preparing her for a shot.
“I should get going. It was nice to meet you, Snow.”
“You too, Emily. Thank you for helping me understand.”
“I don’t make a habit of talking about Amanda’s private business, but you deserved an explanation for her shitty behaviour, not that it excuses it. But, I hope it helps.”
“It does. Thank you again.”
Snow waved as Emily got into her car. She realized that she was shivering; there was a biting wind coming up.
Snow supposed Amanda was heading home now. There was no point in staying here anymore. Still, it hadn’t been a complete waste of time, coming here. She had learned a bit more about Amanda, and what Snow now knew only made her weird crush on Amanda stronger.
She went home and logged onto Facebook, navigating to Amanda’s page. She saw that Amanda had already put up a number of the photos that Snow had taken.
Snow grinned and scrolled down, looking for her name.
It wasn’t there.
She frowned and looked again. Nope, no photo credit. Had Amanda forgotten to credit her? Surely, that was the explanation. She wouldn’t have left Snow’s name off deliberately.
Snow fired off a quick email.
Hey, Amanda. I’m sure this is a mistake, but you’ve forgotten to credit me in the photos you posted. Snow.
There was no response. Snow refreshed the page, checking if Amanda had perhaps credited her and failed to respond to the email. Nope, nothing. Snow gritted her teeth. She had worked hard on those photos. They were her best work. She deserved to be credited for them.
It was one of the reasons why she worked with the agency—part of their agreement with clients was that the photographer would always be credited.
Snow could see Amanda responding to posts on her Facebook page. She was clearly online. She must have read Snow’s email by now, but she was ignoring it.
It was so unfair. Snow wasn’t easily given to anger, but now, she was furious. She wasn’t going to put up with this. Just because Amanda had some irrational jealousy of Snow’s success didn’t mean she got to treat Snow like this.