So This Is Love?

Part 11: Cape Town

*** December 20th, 2020***

Sitting in the sun, the shimmer melting the ice that formed on his window the night before, Ryan basks in the warmth, longing for summer to arrive. Living in New York has been both wonderful and dreadful at the same time. He loves the atmosphere, the sounds, bustle, and his work- but the winter months drag and puncture his balloon of fun and joy with each passing day that it stays.

He misses LA.

He miss his Californian home and his parents and sister.

He misses the chill and relaxing vibes that fill all his senses constantly.

"Are you day dreaming again or are you memorizing your lines via the sun rays?" She kicks him gently with her foot that dangles over the arm of the chair near his shoulder.

"Hmmuuuh, I miss LA."

"You know what I miss?" Freema asks and he looks at her curiously.

"What?"

"You actually working. I thought we were going to rehearse not bask in the sun like an iguana." She drones on and he sighs heavily, gets up and squeezes in next to her on the chair, curling into the curvature of her body without care or extra thought. "Now you're just being an arse."

"Just snuggle me and read me some lines." He mumbles as he pushes his face into her ribs.

"Someone is very needy today."

"No, just tired." They had been at it all night.

Running lines that is.

Things are picking up between Helen and Max and Freema wanted to begin rehearsing together- despite their usual- surprise me, I'll surprise you- method.

"Well, we're so close- this prison episode is very promising."

"You've been saying that since two episodes ago."

"Well something is bound to happen- and I frankly want it to pick up sooner rather than later."

"You just want to make out on set. You know, we could just do that here, right?" He tiredly mumbles and wraps his arms tighter around her.

"Phhh!!! Piss off! That's not why I want it to pick up. Do you know how many fans are rooting for us? If we don't get Sharpwin out to sea soon, there's going to be a mutiny."

"Face it- you want Goldman to be cast out to sea more than Sharpwin."

"We are not a ship, dear. Besides, I think we both know why that ship isn't sailing." Grumbling, she removes herself from the chair, leaving him there in the extra wide recliner. His eyes follow her as she grabs her purse and slips into her shoes to leave. "I'll see you Monday."

"Freema..." He begins, but she's already gone. His phone goes off and he finds Liz facing timing him from Barcelona.

Since April they had been hanging out- fucking on the weekends- not much more than that and the occasional outing. He likes Liz. He really does, but he can't help but still long from Freema. He feels more comfortable around her than anyone else in his life. Family included. She feels like home and for the most part he thinks she may feel the same, but then there are moments like today where she puts of disgust for him.

He can't win- now can he?

*** Present Day***

They chugged away at the last four episodes. They all stayed up for days working hard and getting them perfect.