The broken Luna and the Actor

Getting awkward

*Austin*

I realize that I kind of let out a small gasp as my lungs allow me to breathe again. This woman is something special, I instantly know, but… who is she? This vision standing beside Ian, her dark eyes watching me, the pinkish lips parting softly... holy... wow. What the hell just happened here?

"This is my girlfriend, Cynamon. Honey, this is Austin... he owns this place," Ian says, his voice sounding kind of far away.

My mind is kind of trying to piece it all together and make sense of what he said. "Girlfriend, Cinnamon? I like cinnamon."

"Earth to Austin," Ian chuckles. "Cynamon not Cinnamon, remember I told you. We’ve been on a couple of dates. She is a baker, and she brought cupcakes for the party."

His girlfriend, of course, she is... damn it, focus, Austin. "Oh sure, yeah, I remember, your girlfriend, right ? you told me about your girlfriend."

She steps forward and holds out her slim hand, smiling at me. "A real pleasure meeting you, Austin, it’s a very nice place you have here."

"The pleasure is all mine... all mine, Cynamon, that’s a peculiar name, it’s pretty though... very pretty." I take her hand. How is it possible to have a smile that pretty?

"It’s Polish... and it does actually mean cinnamon... my dad was a bit of a weirdo," she says with the most adorable little giggle that sparks butterflies in my stomach. "But just call me CJ, most people do. My middle name is June."

I take her hand, feeling warmth spread up my arm as I bend my head to kiss it, letting my lips linger for a moment. "CJ then, if that is what you prefer. But darling, you have to stay... you simply have to stay for the celebration, right Ian?"

I look up to see Ian giving me this weird look, then he nods slowly. "Yeah sure, you should stay, honey, if you want to of course."

"Uh... sure... I’d love to stay," she bites her lip in the most distracting way, her eyes meeting mine. "If... Ian wants me to stay, I mean."

"Well, it’s not really up to me, it’s Austin’s place," Ian mumbles, making me look at him. I mean, it kind of sounds like he wants her to leave. He sighs. "Of course, I want you to stay, that would be swell."

I realize that I am still holding her hand and quickly let it go. "Well, it’s settled then. Now, let me see those famous cupcakes Ian has been telling so much about."

"Sure, we put them in the kitchen," she is smiling at me, her cheeks decorated with blooms of pink, and her hands are fiddling in a nervous way.

Ian quickly grabs her hand, like he is scared that I might do it if he doesn’t. "Come on, we’ll show you."

*Cynamon*

We walk inside, Ian clutching my hand hard, like he is scared I am about to run away. I wonder if it was a good idea to agree to stay. There is something happening here, something I am not sure should happen.

It is Austin, he makes me feel... nervous... weird... elated... scared in some happy way... oh that makes no sense... nothing makes sense in my head right now.

‘Yes it does’. Zeva tells me. ‘You know it makes every kind of sense’.

“So this is...”. I pull my hand from Ian’s grasp. “... the cupcakes. I hope they are what you wanted”.

I open the box closest to me, and Austin kind of leans in, his warm breath fanning over my face, it smells faintly like... not sure what it is... something fresh and sweet. And the sensation makes my knees feel weak, my hands grabbing the counter.

“These look absolutely stunning, but I should probably taste one to be sure”. He gives me a cheeky grin and picks one up, biting into it slowly. Then he closes his eyes, chewing, making this small humming sound in his throat.

I have a feeling my mouth kinda just popped open, as heat spreads through my body and little tingles emerge in weird places… wow… no, no, no… what is happening to me?

“This is absolutely divine”. Austin says with a theatrical sigh and licks his fingers. “God you know how to seduce a man...”. He bites his lip. “I mean... Ian is a lucky guy that's for sure”.

“Hmm lucky indeed”. Ian shakes his head slowly. “If you are done getting a hard on from my girlfriend's cupcakes maybe you can tell me where she's going to stay? Isn’t all the tents full?”

Austin suddenly looks thoughtful. “Uhm... not to sound all... I kinda expected she would stay with you”.

I feel myself blush badly, hearing how my voice is shaking a bit. “Oh, it’s not a problem really... I don’t need to stay... I can go back tonight”.

“No, we will find something”. Austin looks around. “You know what? You can have my room. I can bunk with Ian... or take the couch”.

“I can take the couch. I don’t want to take your bed from you”. I don’t know what else to say, it all feels so very weird. I mean what is Austin thinking about me not wanting to stay with Ian? Is it weird for an adult? Well, I'm weird, what can I say?

And Zeva is filling my head with images and words I do not want to hear or see.

Austin takes my hand, his eyes locking with mine. “Don’t even worry about it darling... I am happy to let you have it”.

“Okay then... thanks”. I give him a small smile. “Uhm, could I use the bathroom?”

“Sure, it’s the third door on the right, down the hall”. Austin says, giving my hand a small squeeze before letting it go.

*Austin*

I can't help watching her leave the room. She is wearing a cute white top and a pretty yellow skirt with little flowers, making her look pretty and summery.

Ian slaps my arm rather hard, and I turn my head, looking at him. "Ouch... what?"

"What?" He makes a motion with his hand towards the hallway. "Could you maybe be just slightly less obvious when flirting with my girlfriend in front of me?"

"I wasn’t... I didn’t mean to... shit." I rub a hand over my face. "I am so sorry, Ian. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me... I’ll stop. I promise, no more... flirting."

He looks at me in this weird way again. "Okay then... I know you meant no harm. I know you are always a bit flirty. It just started getting... a bit awkward."

"Can I ask you something? A bit personal?" I don’t even know why I am asking, but curiosity is getting the best of me.

"What is it, Austin?" He glances towards the hallway, probably making sure she isn’t coming back yet.

I breathe in slowly. I mean, it is none of my business, and Ian might be offended that I ask. "So... her not staying with you, in your room, does that mean..."

"Yeah, Austin, it means exactly what you are thinking... okay?" He looks slightly annoyed. "Sorry, it’s just. Well, I like her... and it’s not that I wouldn't… Well, I would like to go further, but she is clearly holding back, so I don’t want to pressure her."

"Oh, great." I clamp a hand over my mouth when I realize what I just said. "I mean it’s great that you respect her boundaries and..."

Cynamon comes back, and Ian takes her hand, walking towards the door. "I think I understand perfectly what you meant, Austin. Come on, honey, let's go find something fun to do."

"See you guys later." I call out, feeling like a total i***t.