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)
Just thinking about it sends a shiver down my spine, and I force the thought from my mind.
Malia puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a stern look. “Do you know what I always say?”
“No?”
“You can’t freak out about something before you have the facts. You’re going down a rabbit hole with this when you don’t have any clue how Leila feels.”
“How am I supposed to know that?”
Mason hits the back of my head. “By asking her, idiot. She’s a human being capable of telling you how she feels.”
“That’s not what I meant!” I say, laughing. “And that hurt.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“I don’t know. I guess it is what I meant. But I can’t just be like, ‘hey, wanna date for real?’”
“Why not?”
“Because she’ll say no. I’ve known Leila for long enough to know that she’s skittish, and I’m not trying to scare her off. Just like Mason said.”
“How much longer do you have of this fake thing?”
“Five weeks.”
“Then you’d better say something before that because otherwise, you’ll lose her forever. You know I’m right.”
I sigh. “Yeah, but … how? When?”
“Sooner rather than later is my vote.”
I turn to Malia. “Can you try and get a feel for it? Maybe fish to see if she’s interested in me the way I am in her?”
She’s shaking her head before I even finish. “No way. You need to do this on your own, and I’m not losing a friend by being nosey. If it doesn’t work out with you guys, I’m keeping Leila.”
I smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
The alarm on my phone goes off, signaling it’s time for me to head to work. “Ugh. I really want this movie to be over.”
“How much longer on this?”
I grin. “Five weeks. That was the idea when we made the timeline.”
“Ah. Well, is it working, at least? Is Randy staying off your back?”
“He wasn’t, but after those pictures Friday, he has pretty much left me alone. Or maybe I’ve been avoiding him, too. Hard to tell.”
Mason laughs. “Sounds about right. Seriously, though, figure it out with Leila. Talk to her about doing this for real. See if she feels the same.”
“Maybe closer to the end of our deal. I don’t want either of us to miss out on what we’re working toward.”
The two of my friends look skeptical, but they seem to approve as I head to my car. Before I leave, I shout, “And this is between us!”
They laugh and agree. I know they’re blabbermouths, and this may come back to haunt me, but they wouldn’t turn me in maliciously. That much I can be sure of.
As I drive to work, my mind flutters once again to Leila. Are my friends right? Should I ask her to be with me for real sooner rather than later?
I’ll need to think about this. There’s a lot at stake. She’s been helping me out a lot, and I think I’m helping her, too. But more than that, I like this girl. What if I tell her today and she doesn’t feel the same? I’d lose her forever.
I’d rather have her for the next five weeks than risk never having her again.
Chapter Fifteen – Leila
The last week has been torture. Spencer has been so busy with work that I haven’t seen him in person since that night we went to the club and I had a panic attack.
I’ve been wondering if he’s avoiding me because of that kiss. Abby assured me that can’t be the case because he obviously likes me and our fake relationship, but I have no idea if that’s true. Malia said the same thing when she and I got together the other day.
I’m probably being paranoid, anyway. The kiss was great, but was it actually that great to Spencer? He has kissed way more people than I have, both on-screen and off, so he’s probably just used to it.
My stomach turns. Is Spencer such a good actor that the kiss meant something to me and nothing to him?
I don’t believe that. Or I guess I don’t want to. My toes curled, and the electricity between us could’ve powered the entire block. It’s simply not possible that Spencer didn’t feel the same way. The only way to know for sure is to ask him, but I’m not about to do that. How embarrassing would it be for him to tell me it was all just a ploy?
I’m not about to ask him, but I do get to see him tonight. Our schedules haven’t meshed well, but tonight Spencer told me he’s free to hang out. He has something planned, though I have no idea what it is. He’s even picking me up. I’ve insisted the last few times that I meet him at his house, but I conceded tonight. I don’t know why I bothered. It’s usually more work for me, but I guess I like the sense of control. Now that I feel comfortable with Spencer, I don’t need that anymore.