This Isn't Just Pretend

Chapter 10 : The Beach

A few hours of fun passed before we were both sprawled out on a sheet laid out on the sand letting our skin soak up the sun. I turned over to face Sebastian, who had his eyes closed and was enjoying the sun. I allowed myself to watch him sunbathe for a little while before starting up conversation.

“So, uh, Bash?” I questioned.

“Yeah?” he responded, his eyes still closed and facing the sky.

“The ease in what we’re doing, is that all acting? The fun, the way you can make me laugh, everything?” I questioned, picking at my nails. I sat up and turned my head the other way to look down at the beach. He was quiet for a while, but then I felt his presence behind me.

“Acting like that has to have two trained professionals, not just one. Acting is mostly scripted. It involves fake people, not real ones,” was his response.

I had no clue what that answer even meant. I furrowed my eyebrows at the sand as I tried to figure out what he meant. Apparently, I had been quiet for too long because he moved in front of me and grabbed my face so I was looking into his eyes. “You didn’t understand what I said, did you?” I shook my head no. He smiled softly.

“Let me put it simply. No, this isn’t just acting. And it isn’t all in your head. Don’t worry so much, little one,” he said softly.

“Does this… does this happen often?” I found myself asking.

“I’ve only done this a couple of times, but from what I understand, no,” he responded. That just left me with even more questions.

“You’re an interesting person, Elamira I-don’t-know-your-middle-name Carson. Really interesting. I enjoy hanging out with you, even if I wasn’t being paid to be here. You’re protective and soft-hearted and passionate and fun and so much more I’m sure I don’t know yet. You’re dedicated, or else we wouldn’t be sitting on this beach right now. You’re loyal, or else you wouldn’t be here to watch your ex-husband who you still love greatly, even if it’s as a friend, get married. To a person you don’t even like, at that. And you’re sweet enough to mind your own business. I’m sure you told him your thoughts of her in the beginning, and you respected the choice he made after that despite your thoughts. Not everyone is like you. As a matter of fact, I’ve never met someone quite like you.”

My brilliant response to that whole speech? “Hollyn. My middle name is Hollyn.” He smiled wide at my awkward reaction as my eyes remained wide as I stared at him.

“Well, Elamira Hollyn Carson, I’m going to go ahead and kiss you now, alright?” he whispered.