Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“Oh no, you started this, let’s finish it. What are your reasons why we shouldn’t date?”
I huff out a breath. “You really want to know?” I don’t wait for him to answer, I just blurt out exactly what I’m thinking. “Well, after my last relationship ended, I learned a thing or two, and one of those was that if I’m going to be with someone—in a relationship—then they have to be all in. So if you are already making excuses why we wouldn’t be a good fit, then yeah, it’s not a good idea. I want someone that wants to be with me so much nothing and no one will stop them.”
I sit up in bed because I know I said too much. “Anyway, seriously, back on topic. The deal was one night—the Valentine’s wedding—that’s it.”
He seems more subdued now. “I’m going to the rehearsal dinner too.”
Honestly, I’m glad he’s coming, but it’s going to be hard too. I’m already finding that the more we’re together, the more I like him. “Okay, I’ll send you the details. Thanks for all your help with this, Cruz. You really are a good man!”
He huffs, and it’s like I can picture him running his hand through his hair. “Okay, well, thanks again for today. It meant a lot that you came.”
“Sure. We’re—friends. That’s what we do, right?”
He stutters. “Yeah, right. I’ll see you. Let me know if you need any help with the arrangements. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
“See you, Cruz.”
I hang up before I say something I shouldn’t. He’s already stated that we are a bad idea, so I’m not going to pressure him into dating me or anything. Nope, I just need to make it through Valentine’s Day. I can deal with my future after that.
12
CRUZ
I disconnect the call with my agent and sit on the edge of the couch. I arrived at the hotel three hours ago. I texted Tara to let her know I was here and my room number, but I haven’t heard back from her. After unpacking, I’ve been on one call after another. Endorsement deals are still coming in, and that’s a relief. I also signed a seven-figure deal for my book. As soon as I signed it, I wanted to call Tara and tell her about it, but instead I continued working, knowing that I’ll see her soon.
Just as I am about to call Tara, there’s a knock on my door.
Thinking it’s something my agent was having couriered over, I swing the door open, and Tara is standing in front of me with one hand holding a garment bag and the other hand on a wheeled suitcase. “Hey!”
She huffs, and it’s obvious the clothes are heavy in her arms, so I take them from her. “You okay?”
She looks down the noisy hall. “Yeah, can I come in?”
With her garment bag in my hand, I stand back to let her in, closing the door behind her.
I hang her clothes in the closet, and when I look at her, I know something’s wrong, but I don’t have to wait long to know what it is, because she starts to ramble. “Okay, so I guess my room was given away. Grant’s brother Ben was able to make it to the wedding. It's not his fault, he’s a good guy, but they didn’t reserve him a room. So my sister gave him my room, and I’m supposed to room with my parents, but I can’t do it, Cruz. There’s no way I’ll last a night in their room with them.” She takes a deep breath. “And I know this seems all weird seeing as how I basically threw myself at you on the phone last night and you turned me down. Look, I know where we stand. I know we’re friends, so as friends, can you let me crash—” She looks around the room. “Geez, this room is big. Can I crash on your couch?”
When she stops talking, I blurt out, “You threw yourself at me?”
She releases her grasp of the suitcase and puts her hand on her hip. “Really? Everything I just said and that’s what you got?”
I grab her clothes from the closet by the door and then walk over and grab her suitcase. “Yes, you can stay. But you don’t have to stay on the couch. There’s two bedrooms.”
“You have two bedrooms?”
I walk to the second bedroom, and she follows. “Yeah, it was the only room they had left when I called yesterday.”
I hang her clothes in the closet and set her suitcase up on the luggage rack and point to the door off from the bedroom. “There’s a bathroom in there.”
She holds her hand up. “Cruz, how much did you pay for this room? You know what? Forget it. I’m never going to be able to pay you back, but I’ll pay you what I was going to pay for my room. What’s your Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal?”