MAKE BELIEVE
ALAN WILLS
Indianapolis, Indiana
Copyright © 2020 by Alan Wills
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Any reference or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
ISBN-13: 978-0-578-75197-9
LCCN: 2020916555
Printed in the United States of America
Cover Design: Olivia Pro Design
Editing: Sara Tirsway Editing Services
9009 Lake Nora W Drive #A
Indianapolis, In 46240
MAKE BELIEVE
CHAPTER ONE
Beth steps out of the bathroom and grabs the lotion from her dresser. She looks over at the two dresses lying on the bed and then at her cat, Buttercup.
“Which one do you think I should wear?”
Buttercup jumps off the bedpost and lies down in front of the white dress, curling her golden fur into a small ball.
“My thoughts exactly. He may propose, and I want to look my best.”
The phone rings twice before she grabs it.
“Hey, Melissa.”
Melissa, Beth’s nosy friend from college, was only calling for one thing.
“Don’t ‘Hey, Melissa’ me! What’s up with you and Kyle. Do you think he’ll pop the question today?”
Beth gives the cat a rub on top of her head before continuing to get dressed.
“I don’t know. I’ll call you when my date is over.”
Melissa takes a sip of water before saying, “You better. What are you wearing? Does it scream ‘I’m ready for marriage’?”
“I’m wearing a dress, and yes, it gives the hint.” Beth smiles at her reflection in the floor-length mirror hanging on the back of her closet door.
“Well, don’t forget to call me. I can’t wait to hear all about this romantic evening.”
“Bye, girl,” Beth says before hanging up.
As she is putting the last touches on her lipstick, the doorbell rings. Beth opens the door to find Kyle holding a bouquet of roses in his hand.
“Wow! You look stunning.”
She smiles, plants a kiss on his cheek, and promptly wipes off her lipstick smudge.
“You look handsome, too.”
He gives Beth a slight hug as she takes the flowers. She pulls a vase from the closet, fills it with water, then places it and the flowers on the dining room table.
“I thought we could take in an early movie,” Kyle tells her while walking back to the door. “Then I have something special planned.”
Beth grabs a shawl from the coat rack, and before they walk out the door, she wraps it around the white sundress she has chosen to wear for the occasion. While watching as Kyle closes the car door, she gets a glimpse of a basket in the backseat. A fluttering feeling starts in her stomach, but she takes a deep breath to calm herself.
This could be it––what I’ve been waiting for––a chance to start a family with the man I love.
Kyle engages her in small talk while driving them to the theater. No romantic movies are playing, so they take in an action flick. An hour and a half later, they are back in the car, and Kyle has her blindfolded for the surprise. They drive for at least fifteen minutes before she feels the car turning right. It keeps going for about another ten minutes and then turns again, but this time to the left. She giggles a little, anticipating whatever he has in store for them. The car finally stops, and the backdoor opens. Beth’s door is next.
“I gotcha,” Kyle says as he grabs her hands. “Just let me guide you.”
She hesitates for a second. “Okay, but don’t let me fall.”
Birds are chirping, and a small breeze gently blows by her. It seems they have been walking for a while. They go down a small hill before he stops.
“Stand right there.” He positions her body for the reveal.
When he removes the blindfold from Beth’s eyes, her mouth falls open, and her hands fly up to her chest.
“This is beautiful, Kyle.”
“I thought this would be the perfect place,” he says while turning her around to see the entire area.
She wraps her arms around his neck and places a soft kiss on his lips. “Perfect place for what?”
After he motions for her to have a seat on the blanket, Beth takes in the atmosphere. They are on a private beach near the water. It is surrounded by tall trees with bright greenery and fully bloomed flowers. Kyle takes out two wine glasses, a bottle of champagne, and a fruit tray from the basket.
“You even brought the small chicken and tuna salad sandwiches.”
He grins. “I kind of outdid myself, huh?”
She grabs a grape, popping it in her mouth. “I would say so, and I love all of it,” Beth replies while continuing to take in everything.
“I wanted to ask you something.”
She turns to give her full attention to him. “Ask me what, Kyle?”
She tries to control her excitement. This is it. He’s going to ask me. She had played out this moment and how she would react for over a year in her head.
He scoots closer to her. “We’ve been together a while now, and I’m ready to take our relationship to the next level. Aren’t you?”
She glances at him sideways. “I’m not sure what you’re asking me.”
He pulls out a music box that he found online from a wholesaler specializing in jewelry and music boxes. When Kyle grabs her hand, she starts to breathe heavily. He tries to clear the air.
“I want you physically, and I believe we are far enough into our relationship to become intimate. I want to know if you feel the same.”
Now looking down at the open box, Beth pulls her hand from his. The box contains a condom.
“Oh my gosh, Kyle! I thought you brought me here to propose.” She stands up and walks a few steps. “You knew
