The silence following Devin's question was heavy, like the suffocating quiet before a storm breaks.
Family business. The words hung between them like a tripwire.
Allison felt the blood drain from her face.
"It's a boring real estate thing," Anna cut in smoothly. "That's why we came here for some air. Right, Lisa?" Anna didn't wait for an answer. She stood up, brushing sand from her legs with a decisive flick. "Actually, I'm melting. Sam, you promised the water was perfect. Are you a man of your word?"
"Of course," Sam stood and stretched. "Catch me if you can." He sprinted toward the turquoise shoreline, kicking up a spray of grit.
Sam emerged from the first break of the water, laughing as the cold hit his chest. "Come on! You said you're melting!"
Anna didn't hesitate. She cast off her cover-up and dove into the waves with effortless confidence. Moments later, she emerged, water sparkling on her skin. Soon, she and Sam were splashing and chasing each other through the shallows, their laughter carrying across the sand.
Allison watched them, feeling more isolated than ever. What are you doing, Anna? she wondered. Is this part of the plan, or are you leaving me here to navigate this alone?
Devin remained anchored to his spot, his broad shoulders tense. On the surface, his attention seemed fixed on the distant horizon, but his gaze kept betraying him. He stole glances at Allison, his eyes tracking the sharp line of her jaw every time she looked away.
"Come on, Lisa!" Anna called out, waving. "The water's amazing!"
Allison shook her head, her posture rigid. "No. I'm fine here."
"I'm sure," Allison added, her voice clipped. "I'm not in the mood for a swim."
In the surf, Anna leaned toward Sam. "Look at them," she whispered. "What do you notice?"
Sam squinted back at the shore. "They're... uncomfortable? Unlike us." He reached out, his hand resting near Anna's waist. "Why can't they just be normal?"
Anna chuckled. "They're uncomfortable because I'm the only person here who knows the real reason why. Sam, can you keep a secret?"
She pulled him closer, her arms wrapping around his neck to ensure his full attention. Sam seemed completely focused on her, the rest of the world fading away.
"Hey, stop it," he whispered, his forehead leaning against hers. "I might kiss you right now if you don't."
Anna had intended to tell him the truth—that "Lisa" was actually Allison. But she hesitated. Her heart was hammering a rhythm she didn't recognize. Suddenly, the game felt more real than she had anticipated.
Back on the sand, the connection between Sam and Anna was palpable. Devin watched them with a detached air, as if he had seen a thousand such romances.
Allison felt a surge of frustration. I planned this whole charade to get to Devin, so why am I losing to my own game?
She stood up abruptly, shaking the grit from her palms. The movement snapped Devin's gaze away from the horizon. She wasn't going to wait for him to find a seam in her mask; she was going to force him to look at it.
"Devin," she started, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
"Now what?" The coldness in his voice was a physical barrier.
"I'm just... wondering why you're acting this way," she managed. "So intimidating."
"Because you're annoying."
The reply was a personal blow, even though he had no idea who she actually was.
In the water, Anna caught the shift in the atmosphere. She pulled back from Sam just as the drama on the shore escalated.
"Omg," Anna breathed, watching the confrontation. "She's finally making her move."