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)
“Wow. That is big. I’m so glad I’m here for this,” Abby says with her mouth full. “So, how do you feel?”
I grin. “I feel amazing. But also confused. And scared. And I have no idea what to think now! It was really good. Like. Really good. But now I’m worried things are too complicated. I thought I’d go on some public dates with this guy, and that’d be it. I don’t know how we ended up here.”
“Well, I think it’s time to dump him,” Abby says.
At the same time, Malia says, “Maybe it’s not fake.”
I look between them once more. “I wasn’t expecting that. You’re on two different sides? Now how am I supposed to figure this out!”
“Why do you think they should break up?” Malia asks Abby.
“Because this was just supposed to be fun and carefree and fake. Real feelings are what get people hurt, especially when they started on a lie. Yeah, you were both in on it, but still. I think it’s too complicated now, like you said.”
“But seeing them together, maybe they should give it a try as a real relationship?”
“Do you have insider information?” I ask Malia. “Did Spencer say something to you?”
“No, this is all my opinion.”
I deflate. If Spencer didn’t tell Malia or Mason about his feelings for me, they probably don’t exist. I know from our time together that he’s the type to tell his two friends everything, which is why he couldn’t keep the fake part of our relationship a secret for long.
“See, that face, that’s why you need to end it. I don’t want to see you get hurt, Leila.”
“That’s a part of dating, though, isn’t it?”
“Maybe, but something about this doesn’t sit right. I know you want to stay friends with Spencer and honestly, I support it. But you shouldn’t date anymore. Fake or for real.”
“We’ll agree to disagree,” Malia says. “So it’s up to you, Leila. What do you want?”
I throw up my arms. “I don’t know! I was hoping you two would tell me what to do.”
Abby laughs. “We can only do so much. In the end, it’s up to you.”
My phone, now fully charged, pings with a message. “It’s Spencer!”
“What does it say?”
“He wants to know if I can go to a movie premier with him tomorrow night. It’s some movie he finished last spring.”
“You should go!” both girls say.
“Abby, you just said I should end it!”
“Make this the last thing you do. I’d be pissed if you missed your first movie premier because of me. After that, though, it’s over.”
“Maybe I’ll just talk to Spencer about this. I can’t decide without hearing what he has to say.”
Both of my friends smile. “Look at you being all mature! I like that idea.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I figured you would. So, it’s settled. We haven’t solved anything in this meeting.”
“Nope, but it has been fun. We’re not done yet, though, right? Because I want to hear about how glamorous California is. Malia, tell me what it’s like? I only get Leila’s tourist version.”
Malia and Abby start talking about California while I tell Spencer I’ll be his date to the premier. I’m excited not just for the movie but for the conversation I’m hoping to have afterward.
I just hope I get the answers I’m looking for, and I really hope the answer is for Spencer and me to be together forever.
Chapter Eighteen – Spencer
I nervously check my tie for the hundredth time since I put on this suit. The wardrobe designer for the movie sent it over for me to wear tonight to the premier, and it fits perfectly, but I can’t stop fixing everything.
Leila isn’t here yet. She should show up any minute since it’s still fifteen minutes before I said we have to leave, but I’m anxiously awaiting her arrival.
The independent film I starred in, called In the Deep is a horror movie, which feels fitting just a couple of months before Halloween. It was directed by my TV father from As We Grow, which is how I ended up a part of it. Originally, I wasn’t going to invite Leila to this premier. Since I know how anxious she gets with big crowds, I figured I’d never have her on my arm for a red carpet. But after what happened between us the other night, I couldn’t imagine going to the premier without her. Besides, this is a super small movie, and I’m the biggest name in it, which means there aren’t any huge names. It won’t attract a massive crowd the way some other premiers do. It’s at a super small theater downtown, too, so they’re not expecting many folks to come to see the movie.
I’ve already decided that Leila is calling all the shots here. If she gets overwhelmed, then I’ll have her take my car home. It sucks that I can’t just leave if I want to since I’m expected to talk before and after the film and do some press. But I’ll give Leila the option. I don’t want her stuck in a situation where she’s uncomfortable again.