T's & C's (don't) Apply

24. I'm (not) An Actor

I blinked twice and it took me a moment to realise that I was a few steps away from falling into the water. My heartbeat overpowered the sound of the waves.

"Don't you think you're a little overdressed to go swimming?"

I glanced at his hold on my arm and then up at him. "Ethan?"

"Good, you are in your senses," Ethan dramatically exhaled. "Where were you lost? If I hadn't run over, you would've been at the bottom of the ocean by now."

"Don't be dramatic." I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Nan lives about ten minutes from here," Ethan replied. "I should rather be asking what are you doing here?"

"Are you here to visit your family?" Shock was thick in his tone.

I shook my head. "You know better. I'm here for work."

Ethan frowned. "Work?"

"Remember the weekend job with Kai's girlfriend I was half-minded about, well –"

"Clover!" Rosalind shouted. "Get over here now!"

Realisation dawned over Ethan's features. "She seems... lovely."

"You have no idea." I slipped my arm out of Ethan's hold. "Before she drowns me, let me get back to work."

Ethan nodded. "How long are you going to be here?"

"I leave tomorrow."

Ethan's expression brightened. "That's great. You should come over for tea, Nan will be happy to see you."

"Clover!"

I pursed my lips together. "It all depends if I catch a break."

"Well, call me." Ethan's warm eyes looked expectantly at me. "It would be nice to have you over. Nan asks about you every time I visit."

I smiled to reassure him. "I will."

"One more thing," Ethan stopped me just as I was about to leave. "Do your family know you're here?"

"You know the answer to that and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm here for work, not a visit."

Ethan understood and nodded. "What about Laurel? Don't you want to see her?"

"I would love to but she's away for the weekend. Enjoying the last few days of summer."

Ethan nodded, but I knew what was going on in his mind. He knew some of my family dynamic, but not all of it. I suppose as someone who grew up in a loving home as an only child, he didn't understand why I kept my family at arm's length. He low-key wished I would've made up with my dad because he believed life was too short to hold a grudge.

"Don't give me that look," I sighed. "I'll visit them... eventually."

Ethan's eyes widened in innocence. "I didn't say anything. But I get it, Clo, you don't need to keep explaining everything."

I rolled my finger in a circular motion around his eyes. "Your eyes say what your mouth can't. That's why you're a terrible liar."

Ethan grinned and scratched the back of his head. He was so handsome, and every time he smiled, I internally swooned and melted. His boyish grin would've made anyone go mad.

"I hate repeating myself!" Rosalind stormed up to me. "Almost as much as I hate waiting. Why can't you list..." She trailed off and looked at Ethan.

She stared at him for a moment longer before her eyes narrowed in on me. "You're here chit-chatting instead of working. Is this what I'm paying you for?"