Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“You know what I mean. Could it have to do with your beautiful girlfriend whose face you were kissing all over the internet on Friday?”
“Maybe. Leila is pretty awesome, and I was just thinking about her.”
“I liked her a lot. You know, we’re getting together for dinner tomorrow night.”
I smile at Malia. “I’m glad to hear that. She mentioned she hasn’t made any friends around here.”
“We’ve been texting since you brought her by. She’s awesome. Don’t screw this one up, man.”
“Seriously,” Mason adds. “She’s the best of all your girlfriends. I genuinely like this one.”
“So do I, but I’m afraid I’ve already messed it up.”
Malia furrows her brow. “That’s not how it seemed in those pictures. I know it’s not always real, but it seemed like you two are good together.”
“Right before that picture was taken, Leila was crying because she got overwhelmed in the club, and Candy cornered her and was a total bitch. Leila and I live totally different lifestyles. I’m starting to wonder if we’re compatible.”
“Still not getting it,” Mason says. “Don’t they say opposites attract?”
“I just mean I like going to the club or partying and being around people. I’m an extravert for sure, but she gets nervous in crowds.”
“You don’t need to party all the time. You could come up with a compromise. She does something you like, and you do something she likes.”
I think about that for a moment, cursing myself for being too self-centered to come up with the idea myself. “Yeah, that works, but what about red carpets and stuff? I’m doing smaller movies now, but eventually, I’ll need to do press, and I want to know Leila will be there with me. What if she can’t do that because our personalities don’t mesh?”
Mason laughs. “You’re getting ahead of yourself here and thinking that far ahead is going to scare off a perfectly good girl.”
I roll my eyes and take another sip of the lemonade. “Maybe, but it’s a valid point. Do you think you two would be together if you didn’t enjoy doing a lot of the same things?”
“You just have to find the things that you and Leila both like. You enjoy going for walks and playing with her dog. That’s something.”
I smile. “True. Shiloh is the best.”
“So start there and build up the relationship. I don’t want you getting cold feet this early.”
I blow out a breath. It’s so easy to talk to Malia and Mason about Leila as if this is all real, but how can they give me advice when they’re missing a very important key to the lock?
“You guys need to know something about my thing with Leila. It might make you change your minds about everything you just said.”
“What is it?” Malia asks, her face showing concern. “You better not have cheated on her or anything. Leila is a nice girl. She deserves better.”
“I would never do that. But even if I did … technically, it wouldn’t matter because Leila and I aren’t actually dating.”
Mason scoffs. “Okay, buddy, you keep telling yourself that. You’re so afraid of commitment you can’t even say you’ve got a girlfriend?”
“No, I mean it for real. Those first pictures of us? That was the first time we ever met. I convinced her to fake being my girlfriend to get Randy off my back and to help my reputation. I didn’t tell you guys because, no offense, you’re both really bad at keeping secrets. But I couldn’t keep it from you anymore, and I’m hoping you’ll find a way to keep this among us.”
Mason and Malia look at each other, then back at me.
“You’re just messing with us, right? This is some joke to see if we can keep a secret?”
I laugh and sip more of the lemonade. The tartness is perfect on this sunny day.
“I’m telling you the truth! Leila is working interior design magic on my house in return for being my fake girlfriend. And yes, I’m paying her for the work, too. But I’ll also spread the word about her company and stuff. All for two months of pretending to be my girlfriend.”
“If you’re only doing it for two months, why do you care about the future?”
I run my fingers through my long hair. My parents want me to cut it, which is why I never will. “Because maybe it doesn’t feel as fake to me anymore.”
Malia laughs. “That’s why I couldn’t believe it. I still don’t. You two were so … together when you were here that day. Are you telling me you’d barely started fake dating at that point?”
“Yup. How’s that for my acting skills?”
She rolls her eyes. “I might be impressed if I thought you were acting. We both know you like her as more than a fake girlfriend.”
“Yeah, I know. But I’m worried it’s one-sided. I mean, what if Leila is really only in this for our deal? I don’t know what I’d do if she peaced out after our two months is up.”