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)
My phone buzzes with a call from my mother. I sigh and answer it.
“Hi, Mom.”
“You could sound excited to hear from me.”
“I am. It’s just early.”
“It’s after nine there. I checked.”
“You know me. I’m not a morning person.”
“True. How is California? Have you met any men yet? You know, it’s a shame you let Jason go. He was perfect for you. He’ll finish his residency in just a couple of years, and then you two can get married, and you’ll never have to work another day in your life.”
I roll my eyes. “Maybe I like working.”
Mom clicks her tongue. “No woman likes working, darling. You’re designing other people’s houses. We all know it’s only because you can’t afford your own. Give Jason a call. I bet the two of you can work it out, and he’ll buy you a house you can decorate all you want.”
“Jason and I are broken up for good, Mother. I wish you and Dad would accept that.”
“I’m just saying …”
“Stop just saying, Mom. Is this the only reason you called?”
She sighs. “No, I wanted to say hello and see how things are. I bet the weather is much warmer there. We’re expecting a cold front and a rainstorm.”
“It’s really nice. I took Shiloh out for a long walk yesterday.”
I leave out the mishap because Mom never liked the idea of me having a dog. She thinks Shiloh is a surrogate for all the babies I want to have, but I keep screwing it up with all the guys who could give me those babies.
“Well, that’s nice, dear. You know, I talked to Jason’s mother yesterday …”
“I’m going to hang up on you.”
“Fine. No more talk of Jason. Does that mean you’ve found someone new? I looked at your apartment on the online map thing, and I see you’re not far from a prestigious law firm with some young, single lawyers. You should start walking by there every morning. Bring Shiloh. I’ve heard dogs can help bring people together.”
“I haven’t met anyone yet,” I say, though my mind flashes to Spencer. It’s ridiculous, considering I’d never stand a chance with a handsome celebrity, but my brain doesn’t want to know that. There was some electricity between us when we touched. I chalk that up to the wind or whatever. Nothing actually passed between us.
“Perfect! I’ll text you the address of that firm. Maybe you could go in and offer to redesign their space! It’ll give you the opportunity to be around them. Make sure to dress well if you’re going to do that. You want to impress them.”
“Listen, Mom, I’ve got to go. I have work to do.”
“Fine. You were texting, so I assumed it wasn’t busy.”
“I had a little break, but I’ve got to go now. Love you, and tell Dad I love him, too.”
“Will do. Have a great day! Think about what I said.”
I hang up before Mom can say anything more. Talking to my parents can be exhausting. I don’t know how they ended up so old-fashioned in their generation, but they still believe women should be in the home while men go out and bring home a salary. That’s not my style, which is why Jason and I broke up. My doctor ex-boyfriend was convinced I’d quit my job the second he finished his residency, and I wasn’t about to do that.
The bell over the door tingles, and in walks Clementine with a shopping bag on one arm and a magazine in the other.
“Leila Rosetta, you’ve been holding out on me!” she squeals.
“What are you talking about?”
“You didn’t tell me you’re dating Spencer James!”
“Wait, what? I’m not …”
She slams the magazine down on my desk, and sure enough, a picture of Spencer and me, eyes locked as he brushes my hair from my face, is right there on the cover with the headline, “James and his new girl!”
“This isn’t … how did they … WHAT?”
I know the camera guy jumped out when this was happening, but how’d he get a picture of us at this moment? The flashes didn’t start until after Shiloh started tugging toward the bushes.
“I knew you had it in you. You act like a quiet, shy type, but I bet you’re an animal in real life. That’s why Spencer was drawn to you. How long have you been together?”
“Clem, this isn’t real. We’re not …”
Clem waves me off. “Say what you want; the photo is proof. I’m sure you signed an NDA or something so you can’t talk to me. That’s fine; I get it. I’ve been there.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on, Leila. Everyone who moves to Los Angeles dates a celebrity at some point. You lasted longer than most.”
“I don’t even …”
Clem takes the magazine back. “Don’t talk to me; it’s fine. But once you break up, I expect you to break that NDA and tell me everything.”