Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
She struts off to the bathroom. “And you’re jealous.”
“Sometimes, but not of your battered bald eagle.” Poor thing has a rough life. “As soon as we get home, I’m scheduling PTSD therapy for it.”
That evening, I keep hoping to bump into Carter during dinner, but no luck. Sofie and I still have a good time, taking in the dinner show of Jamaican drummers. Afterwards, we both hit the hay because I have another early start with Carter in the morning.
I can feel it. Tomorrow’s going to be the day. We’re going to kiss. Maybe go back to his room. I’ll finally get to check out his real coconuts.
I’m settling into bed and setting the alarm on my phone when a text rolls in. It’s Carter.
Carter: Hey, have to cancel for tomorrow. My film’s backer is pulling out. Flying out early to meet with him.
My heart sinks. No… He can’t leave.
Me: That’s terrible news. I’m so sorry.
I hit send and contemplate adding something about seeing him stateside, but he beats me to it.
Carter: Can I call you in a few weeks? Maybe we can arrange to meet up sometime.
“Yes!” My heart does a flip. He wants to see me again. The downside is there’s no definite date.
Me: I’d like that.
I almost add a kissy face emoji but resist. Things are off to a good start, and I don’t want to add any weirdness to the mix. We still hardly know each other.
“What’s up?” Sofie comes from the bathroom in her booty-short PJs and a moisturizing mask stuck to her inner thigh.
“Carter has to leave in the morning for some meeting. Apparently, he’s losing his financing for his big film.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” she says.
“No. It doesn’t. He mentioned maybe trying to meet up, but nothing firm.” I sigh. “Now I’ll be the last thing on his mind.” The man is passionate about his work. He must be devastated by this blow.
“Don’t lose hope yet, Mila.” She slips under her covers. “Things could still turn around for him.”
“It’s just that I have a feeling about this guy.”
“Really?” Her face lights up.
I nod. “Really.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that before.”
“Because I haven’t.” I go quiet, my mind unable to unhook itself from that nagging feeling.
“Uh-oh. I know that look. What’s wrong?” Sofie asks.
“It just felt too good to be true, and I was right. I meet the perfect guy, and it’s the worst time for him.”
“Mila, don’t go giving up on things yet. You always self-sabotage.”
“I’m not self-sabotaging,” I protest.
“Yes you are. It’s like that time you went for that interview for that exercise equipment company. You came back so excited—your own office, great pay, working with nice people. In ten minutes flat you talked yourself out of it.”
“Everyone wore yoga pants and gym clothes to work. People had ellipticals in their offices. Way too casual.” And how would that have looked on my résumé? Project manager. Accomplishments: working on killer ass.
“It would have been fun, and you know it.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well.”
“I’m just saying that this is not the time to think through all the ways it could go wrong. If you have a feeling about this guy, then roll with it. Have some faith.”
She’s right. Sofie’s always right. Carter feels special, and that’s all I need for now. “I’ll see where it goes.”
“Thatta girl.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
After returning from Jamaica, I put apartment hunting into high gear. The best part was that I felt reenergized—about my life, my future, and everything!
Was it Carter? Was it the R&R? I don’t know, but I found a place after two days. A house to rent, maybe even buy!
The weird part was how it practically fell in my lap and completely fit my budget. I was driving back after viewing a depressing one-bedroom with old gray carpets when I spotted a sign on the road. Open house.
The place had a cute little white fence around the front lawn, with a flower garden under the windows and a huge oak tree bowing over the driveway. It almost matched my dream house, right down to the pale-yellow color.
I stopped to look at it just because how could I not?
When I went inside, the smell of fresh-baked cookies hit my nose. The light beamed through the window into the living room, reflecting off the blond hardwood floors. The kitchen was adorable with white tile and white marble counters. Two bedrooms. One bath. Small, cozy. With a fireplace!
When the Realtor asked what I thought, I said, “Oh, I’m not ready to buy just yet. I was just passing by while apartment hunting. But, wow, I love this place. Maybe someday, right?”
“If you really like the house, I can tell you that the owner is open to a rent-to-own situation. As long as your credit is good, and you’re willing to work out a payment plan you can stick to.”