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)
Abby’s face softens. “I know. Facing things is hard for you. It always has been. I blame your parents and how hard they have always been on you. But please, just sit and listen to Spencer. Hash it out. If you send him packing, I’ll understand. I won’t bring it up again. But you have to promise me you’ll try talking it out first.”
I look between Abby and Spencer, still pissed that my friends would set me up like this. They know I don’t want to talk to him, so why would they send him here?
Of course, even though he had to have spent the last few hours on a plane, Spencer looks amazing. He got a haircut recently, and he’s clean-shaven, just the way I like him. It’s hard not to stare at the man I spent so many nights with. In reality, though, we’ve almost been broken up for longer than we were together. What’s the point in hashing that out? Why can’t we both move on?
“Please, Leila,” Abby continues. “I want my best friend back, and this seems like the only way to get her.”
“You haven’t lost me.”
“Maybe not yet, but it sure seems like we’re heading in that direction. You’ve almost lost your job, and you don’t do anything but mope around. I just want you to get the closure you need.”
“I think me leaving California was enough closure.”
“Was it?” Abby asks.
“Okay, maybe not. Fine. I’ll stay and talk. But you’ve only got a few minutes before I kick you out.”
Abby smiles. “I’ll go down the street for some food.” To Spencer, she adds, “Good luck.” She goes out and closes the door, leaving Spencer and me alone together for the first time in months.
“You look good, Leila. What did Abby mean about your job? Is Rebecca firing you?”
“I’m struggling with my creativity, but it’s better now. I don’t think she’ll fire me.”
At least, I hope she won’t. I’ve worked hard over the last week to stay ahead of everything so no one would complain, but I know I’m still not giving my best work.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I got fired from that big movie deal I landed.”
“What?” I ask with a gasp.
Spencer smiles. “It’s what I wanted. I’m focusing on TV now. And Randy is doing his own thing, so I’m in talks with a new agent.”
“That sounds great. I’m glad everything is going well for you.”
“Not everything. I miss you, Leila. You’re the person I wanted to celebrate with when I got this role and when I lost it. I wanted you to be excited when Randy and I parted ways. I want to wake up with you in my arms. Living in my house is a struggle. I miss you so much, and you’re in every drop of paint on the walls.”
Shiloh comes over to Spencer and leans against him, asking to be pet.
“I’ve missed you, too, buddy.”
“I can point you toward some good interior designers who can change everything I did.”
“I don’t want that. I want you back.”
“No.”
“Please, Leila. That kiss with Candy was nothing. She ambushed me in the bar. I think she set me up with the cameras. I should’ve told you about it, but I figured you’d understand because you know I don’t care about Candy.”
“It wasn’t the kiss; it was the lie and all the pressure between us. You’re from this whole different world. I don’t fit in there. Like I told Abby, if we didn’t break up a few months ago, we would’ve been delaying the inevitable.”
“Or maybe not. Maybe we would’ve been in this for the long haul. How can you know either way?”
“Spencer …”
“Leila. Please. Come back to California. We’ll take it slow. Start off dating again like we didn’t do it before.”
“I can’t,” I say, my voice tight. “I’m back here now. It’s time for us both to move on.” The more I say it, and think it, maybe the more I’ll believe it. So far, it hasn’t worked, but I can hope.
“You can. I think a part of you wants to.”
“Of course, but that’s why I shouldn’t. The last time I moved off to California ended pretty badly for me. Your life might be all kinds of perfect now, but mine isn’t.”
“My life is far from perfect, but I’m making changes so I can live a life I’m proud of. I want you to be a part of it.”
“I can’t,” I say, pushing Spencer toward the door. “And I need you to go now.”
Chapter Forty - Spencer
I should respect Leila’s wishes and leave, but she doesn’t open the apartment door, which gives me the slightest hope that maybe she doesn’t want to kick me out just yet.
“I love you, Leila,” I say. “From the first moment we met in the park, to every fake date, to finally admitting it was real, to right now looking at you in that dress with your hair pulled back away from your face, I have loved you. That isn’t going to stop. Please, I want to be with you. We can work this out.”