Page 116 of Reel Love

When the meal is over, the sun is only just beginning to set. It’s that dusky time of day where everything dims just enough to blend together. The orange glow of the sunset etches into the clouds overhead in hues of pastel pink, lavender and pale yellow.

“We could walk to the beach, if you like,” I offer.

“I would like that. Are you sure you’re ready to come out as my girlfriend?”

“I’m not trying to hide you for any other reason than I want to keep the media from having a field day with you. Once they find out about us, they’ll hunt you down like a wounded gazelle. I don’t watch the Nature Channel for a reason.”

He chuckles.

“You laugh now. They can be so vicious.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had to be on the other side of that kind of treatment.”

“Me? I’m worried about you.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Said the gazelle.” I mutter my words, but my heart clenches at the reality.

It’s not a matter of if, but when.

Stevens is strong. He’s quiet, but he’s got this incredibly solid core inside—like an inner bedrock. Still, he’s never been the victim of the paparazzi. I’ve seen them level even the most confident of stars. I’ll do anything to keep him from that kindof abuse.

We walk to the beach holding hands. I know I’m being a little reckless, but I crave connection with Stevens so much, and our time is limited. As much as I’d do anything to protect him, I can’t bring myself not to indulge in our time together. Besides, we’re walking down sleepy streets in beach neighborhoods and then out onto the sand at a more deserted section of the beach. The fire is already going in the pit when we walk up, and our friends are all here.

During dinner, Summer texted me saying they decided to barbecue on the sand. I told her Stevens was cooking for me and we’d meet them later.

Ben is the first to look up as we approach. I wish I could catch his reaction on camera. He looks at me, then at Stevens, then at our enjoined hands. Back at me. Then to Stevens again.

Ben’s jaw literally drops and he stands there with his mouth open for a beat of one … two … three … And then he’s shouting, “OH! MY! GOSH! What am I seeing? Wait. Wait. Waiiiiiitt. Okay. Okay. I know what happened. You,” he points at Stevens. “You were fixing something at her place. And you used superglue. And somehow you grabbed her hand and you’re stuck together. Alana. Sweetheart. Hang in there. Why didn’t we ever come up with a safe word? That’s such an utter fail! Forget the safe word. You can tell me. Did this man glue himself to you?”

Summer is chuckling lightly. She walks over to Ben while she tells me, “I didn’t say anything to him, obviously. I thought you might enjoy his unfiltered reaction.” Then she looks at her husband. “Babe. It’s okay. They’re dating.”

“What? No.” He looks around at everyone gathered here. “Psych! Okay! Ha! Ha! Guys. But my birthday isn't until next month. So, yeah. You can stop the charade.” Then he looks at Stevens. “That was convincing, bro. I almost believed you. But no. You just met her at our barbecue and you lost your marbles when you saw her. There’s no way you’re dating. Joke’s on me. Funny!”

He starts laughing. No one else laughs. I don’t drop Stevens’ hand.

“Guys.” Ben looks around.

Everyone else is smiling. Summer must have told them.

“It’s true,” I say. “We’re dating.”

“But … how? You do know this guy is a biologist, right? I mean. You’re Alana Graves. He’s a guy who teaches elementary school field trips about the sea hare—which is a nasty little underwater snail that lets out a stink you won’t soon forget. Has he shown you a sea hare yet? I’m guessing … not. Because the day he shows you a sea hare? …” Ben points to our enjoined hands and then waves his pointer finger between us. “This? This will all be history.”

Ben gets this serious expression and looks at Stevens. “I don’t know what kind of sorcery you’re pulling, man, but please, for the love of Poseidon, don’t show her that creepy burgundy snail.”

Stevens chuckles. “Good advice as always, Ben. I won’t.”

“Nawww.” Ben shakes his head. “You’re still acting like this is real.”

Summer places a hand on Ben’s shoulder and turns his head toward her. “Maybe I should have given you some warning. This is real. Alana and Stevens are dating. They’ve been playing word games together for a while. They just discovered one another in real life this month. And they are officially dating.”

“Waaaaiiitt!” Ben shouts. He points at me. “You? You’re that girl on the game?”

I nod.

“I’m dead. How did we not hear about this sooner?”

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