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)
“All good?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I’m beginning to think I need to stop caring what my parents want for me. I’ll never please them, so why do I try so hard?”
“Leila …”
“I didn’t mean that to sound so depressing. I just mean they’re not going to approve of me unless I quit my job to become a trophy wife, and since that’s not going to happen, it’s not my problem to change how they think.”
“That might be a good mentality to have.”
I smile at him. “Yeah, I think it is. Moving here has been good for me. I think the distance gave me a chance to breathe on my own and realize my parents don’t control me.”
Spencer comes over and hugs me. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks,” I say, standing on my toes to kiss him. “I’m proud of myself, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight – Spencer
It’s Friday night, and my feet are eager to dance. It has been a while since I had a chance to really let loose at the club since Leila doesn’t like going, but I need to change that tonight. It was a rough few days with reshoots, and Candy is driving me up the wall. I’m ready to unwind.
I text Leila asking if she wants to go out tonight, and to my surprise, she says yes. It’s one of the calmer clubs we’re going to, but I was still expecting her to tell me no.
As I’m sitting on my couch waiting for the time to leave to pick up my girlfriend, my mind decides to think about how incompatible we are. I don’t hate the slower dates we’ve had lately but putting up wall décor and rearranging tables aren’t exactly my idea of a fun night. I’d rather have a few drinks at the bar and dance until the last call.
It’s fun for now, but how long can Leila and I keep this up when we lead such different lives? As much as I’ve fallen for Leila, I can’t help wondering if the two of us are in it for the long haul or if we’re bound to burn out sooner rather than later. No matter how hard I force away the thought, it sticks around, reminding me that Leila and I are vastly different people with vastly different lifestyles.
It’s quarter to eight now, and I’m supposed to pick Leila up in fifteen minutes. I grab a set of keys, this time picking the Audi, and drive to pick her up.
When I knock on Leila’s door, Shiloh starts barking from inside. I give him a good head scratch when Leila opens the door. She’s wearing a short dress to fit in with the other patrons at the club, which I enjoy. It’s almost enough to make me change my mind about going at all.
“Maybe our next date should be a nice walk with Shiloh. Poor guy misses you.”
“I miss him, too.”
“Are you okay?” Leila asks, furrowing her brow. “You seem kind of off.”
I shake myself out of it. “Sorry, just a long week. Nothing a few drinks and some fast music can’t fix.”
“Okay,” Leila says, but she looks skeptical. “See you, Shiloh. I’ll be home later.”
I scratch the dog’s head once more before walking to my car.
“Is someone going to let him out later?”
She shakes her head. “I’ll have to come back here. I feel bad having other people watch him so often.”
“You could always bring him with you when you come over.”
“Maybe I will next time.”
We don’t talk much on the way to the club. Leila squirms in her seat, and I can tell the silence is making her uncomfortable, but I’m not sure what to say. It feels wrong dragging her to a place I know she doesn’t like, but I also don’t think I need to give up something I love just because I have a girlfriend now.
This is why I don’t do relationships. Way too complicated.
As soon as we get to the club, we get out of the car in the front valet line. There’s a red carpet leading into the door. Some photographers snap a few photos of Leila and me. We both stand tall, and I feel a surge of pride that Leila isn’t shying away from them. I like that they don’t intimidate her, even though I know she’s not a big fan of being filmed.
Once we’re inside, I turn to Leila. “It’s a good thing we’re getting photographed again. The news has been a little light on us lately.” She’s quiet, so I continue, “Candy and Randy will stay off my back, and it should help your mom get the picture, too.” I know it’s the wrong thing to say as I’m saying it, and the way Leila’s face falls tells me I should shut up while I’m behind.
“Let’s just go inside,” Leila says. “We’re blocking the door.”