“Then let’s get out of the house.”
“And do what?”
“I have an idea or two,” I admit, something that would be good for both of us.
I glance over her perfect face, and the need I’ve felt to film her returns. I’ve had so many visions of her, creative visions, dream visions. Real visions.
“What are we gonna do?” she asks.
I study her mouth. “Remember when I told you that I like making films?”
“Yeah…” She trails off, sounding confused.
“Well, I wanted to create something this summer, although I didn’t really know what I wanted to make it on,” I start, and she holds me with those big eyes. So curious. So beautiful. “But when I got here, I realised that I only wanted one test subject.”
She blinks once. “The beach?”
I smile at how innocent she can be sometimes. Instead, I shake my head. “You.”
“What?”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “It’s all I can think about.”
“Why?”
“Because you’d look incredible on film.”
Pink bleeds into her cheeks, and she laughs hesitantly. “Incredible is a bit of a stretch.”
I tilt her chin softly, exploring those eyes again. “To me, you are.”
“What would you want me to do?”
“Stand on the beach. I want to capture you with the sand and the waves.”
Ivy blinks in surprise. “As charming as that is, I don’t think I’m cut out for it.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not photogenic.”
“Liar.”
She tilts her head to the side and shoots me a knowing look. All I do is grin back. “It’s a no.”
“Ohhh come on,” I say optimistically. “Don’t ruin the fun. You wanted a distraction, and this is the perfect distraction.”
“I’m sure hundreds of other girls in this town would eat up the opportunity. They’d look better doing it, too,” she says before wrapping her arms around her knees.
“I don’t want hundreds of other girls. I want you. I’ve made that very clear.”
She watches me for a long moment, eyes a little weary. “What if they come out rubbish?”
I slip my arm around her waist and tug her to me. She exhales a small breath. “No such thing, princess. Come on, do something out of your comfort zone with me. I promise it’ll be worth it.”
She swallows apprehensively. “Fine,” she huffs. “But only for thirty minutes.”
A smile stretches over my face. “That’s all I’ll need.”
