Ravi’s smirk faltered slightly when Dave chuckled, missing her teasing tone, and launched into his unexpected self-assessment. As he spoke about his supposed lack of acting talent, she raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. It was interesting that a man with his level of fame - and looks - was so quick to downplay himself. She had expected some lighthearted banter, not a full-on confession about his doubts.
For a moment, she just watched him, trying to decide how to react. “Well,” she started slowly, eyebrows raised, “that’s… unexpected.” She tilted her head, her expression softening as she caught how he mentioned his girlfriend as a late addition and the shift in his tone when he mentioned her. It wasn’t hard to read between the lines - there was definitely something more complicated beneath the surface.
“Seems like there’s a bit more to the ‘king of rom-coms’ than meets the eye, huh?” she teased gently, though there was a layer of genuine curiosity now. Ravi tilted her head, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “But come on, two movies or not, you’ve got to own it a little! The ‘king of the rom-com’ might be a stretch, but you’re definitely on your way.” She leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You’re definitely the one everyone is talking about in the scene. I mean, look at you - ex-soccer player turned rom-com star? You’ve got the whole package!”
Her smile returned as he shifted the conversation to the media’s portrayal of him. There was something charming and likable about the way he tried to defend his image, the way he seemed a little exasperated by the media’s portrayal of him. She hadn’t expected him to be so… normal. It was easy to assume someone like him thrived on the attention, the glamour, and the constant eyes on him, but here he was, lamenting the fact that the world only cared when he was caught in a scandal. “So, you’re a misunderstood nature lover, huh? The paparazzi’s got it all wrong,” she teased again, though this time her tone was softer. It was almost endearing to hear him talk about how they only cared about scandal, not the quieter moments of his life.
“Honestly, I get it. The media’s always more interested in the drama,” she said, her tone softening slightly as she leaned back in her hammock. “It’s like they only want to see you when you’re living up to their version of you - never when you’re, I don’t know, just being a normal human.”
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly, still intrigued. “But come on, Dave. Are you really gonna tell me you never enjoy the parties?” Her smile grew, a knowing look in her eyes. “I’m not saying you’re swinging from the chandeliers or anything, but a guy like you doesn’t just slip by unnoticed at those things for no reason.”
When he tucked her hair behind her ear, she stiffened slightly. Not enough to be rude, but enough that the gesture caught her off guard. Married or not, the sudden intimacy made her stomach do a tiny flip, the kind that was immediately followed by guilt. Focus, Ravi, she told herself.
Her mind raced as she tried to regain her composure, her gaze darting away from him for a second too long, hoping he hadn’t noticed her reaction. She inhaled deeply, willing the moment to pass, her thoughts spinning. It’s just a reflex, she reasoned. A silly, meaningless reaction. Still, the fact that it had happened made her uncomfortable, and the guilt simmered quietly in the back of her mind.
Ravi’s lips curved into a playful grin as Dave confessed, not-so-seriously, that his abs were his ticket to screen time. His self-deprecating humor hit a little close to home, and though she was amused, she also recognized a hint of vulnerability. It wasn’t often that someone in his position was so candid about their insecurities. Her laughter was light, teasing, but with a touch of sincerity behind it. "Wait, are you saying that your abs are your ticket to stardom, you can’t be serious,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re selling yourself way short.”
She tilted her head, her brow slightly furrowed as if trying to figure him out. “I mean, sure, the abs help,” she teased, her eyes briefly flicking over his torso before meeting his gaze again, “but there’s more to it than that. People fall in love with your characters, not just your six-pack. Even if it’s not all about the acting skills, there’s something there - something that people connect with. And besides,” she added with a knowing smirk, “if all it took was a set of abs, half of Hollywood would be rom-com kings.”
The mention of his girlfriend, Helen, gave Ravi a brief pause. It wasn’t the first time he’d brought her up, and the way he did seemed… forced, almost like he was trying to remind himself more than her. She wasn’t going to pry, but the awkwardness wasn’t lost on her. “I’m sure Helen’s great and all that,” she said with a smile, though there was a flicker of something more thoughtful in her eyes. "But you don’t give yourself enough credit. Even if you think you’re just there to flex, there’s more to being in a rom-com than looking good and just the abs.”
She leaned back in the hammock, her expression softening as she added, “It’s about chemistry, connection, and timing - and from what I can see, you’ve got that down just fine." Her gaze lingered on him a moment longer than necessary, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She tilted her head slightly, her hair cascading over one shoulder, the playful banter hanging in the air.
As she savored the moment, a flutter of surprise coursed through her. Wait, am I flirting? The realisation sent a warm rush through her, mingling excitement with a hint of apprehension. She felt the thrill of connection, but a pang of guilt followed closely behind. What would her husband think? What would Dave’s girlfriend think?
Ravi bit her lip, suppressing a grin as she fought to regain her composure. The way he had opened up, so unexpectedly vulnerable, drew her in, making the tension between them palpable. This is crossing a line, she thought, but the chemistry was undeniable, a spark igniting in the space between them. She leaned back further, trying to navigate the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her, a mix of exhilaration and anxiety washing over her. The moment felt electric, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.
@LunaticLeviTheSecond | Dave
@eunoia | Ezra (mentioned sort of)
was having trouble writing today 
