“Hey, yourself. Are you home?”
“Yep.” I certainly am. “How did it go?”
“It went well. The casting crew seemed to like me.” I hear the smile in his voice.
“Of course, they did. When will you hear?”
“Soon. They have another audition after me.”
“You really want it.”
“It’s a good movie. It would be a quick start. They’re eager to begin production.”
Which means he won’t be home anytime soon. Maybe not until Christmas. There’s a lot to do before they start filming.
“Well, that’s great.”
He chuckles. “Once more with sincerity.”
“I’m sorry. I do want you to get it.” I just selfishly want him home more.
“I know. If I do, I’ll let you know the schedule. I really want to see you between now and Christmas.”
I’ve been putting off thinking about how I’ll juggle Christmas. Will he question us constantly hanging out at his and me never letting him pick me up from home? Christmas is spent the same as any other day, but I do cook a nice dinner. I place two plates in the living room for my drunk parents, and then I collect it after they’ve fallen asleep. They pick at it, but they’ve not eaten a whole meal in years—only when they play sober and Dad makes spaghetti carbonara.
What the hell do I say when Spencer asks to meet my parents?
Don’t think.
“Me, too. But we have calls, texts, and FaceTime if not.”
“Yeah,” he breathes like it’s not enough. It never will be, but we’ll have to make do until we’re together. “I’ll make it home to you as soon as I can.”
“What are you doing now?”
“I’m on my way to Ethan’s. We have a TV appearance later.”
“No Ella this time?”
“She’s shooting an ad today.”
“Wow, the only thing I’m doing today is meeting Mila.”
I sense his scowl. “Don’t do that. You’re amazing, Indie. Do you have much to catch up on for uni?”
“Grant has emailed some work. I had a quick look. There isn’t a lot, so it’ll be fine.”
“Excellent.”
That ‘excellent’ was loaded with sarcasm.
“Spencer,” I warn, though my heart makes a little leap. It doesn’t feel terrible to have him jealous.
“Sorry. He’s a nice guy who doesn’t want to get in your pants, I remember.”
“Well, on that note…”
He laughs. “Call me when you’re in bed.”
“You might be filming.”
“I’ll answer if I’m not, or I’ll call you back. Speak later.”
“Bye,” I say hanging up the phone, only adding the I love you in my head.
I put my phone on charge and go for a quick shower. As soon as I’m dressed, I leave my house as fast as possible to drive to Mila’s. I’m about forty minutes early. I’ll have to wait outside if she’s busy.
She answers the door wearing the biggest smile—her whiskey-coloured eyes sparkling. “You’re back! Did you sleep with him? Tell me you slept with a movie star.”
“Hi, Mila,” I say, laughing as she hugs me hard.
Here, I’m happy, too. Today is an emotional rollercoaster.
Pulling back, she holds my arms and says, “Well?”
“Can I at least come inside first?”
“Oh.” Stepping to the side, she lets me in. “Tea? Coffee?”
“Tea, please.”
She walks into her kitchen, and I follow, trying not to laugh at the bounce in her step. She wants all the gossip right now.
Mila fills the kettle and turns to me with narrowed eyes. “Spill.”
“We’re together.”
Squealing, she bounces up and down. “Oh my God, Indie, finally! I knew it. The way you guys were during golf: so cute.”
She ties her jet-black hair up on top of her head like she’s about to get busy. If talking and quizzing someone was an Olympic sport, Mila would win gold.
“Okay, calm down.”
“Are you happy? You look happy. I need to know everything.”
I hold my hands up. “You’re about to explode. Sit, I’ll make the drinks, and you can ask me anything.”
She does as she’s told and sits at the kitchen table. “How is he in bed?”
I glare over my shoulder.
“Hey, you said I could ask you anything.”
“And, of course, you ask that.”
“Well?” she prompts.
“Amazing,” I say, biting my lip as I make two teas.
“You can tell he would be. How was the movie? I watched the red carpet, but I didn’t see you.”
I take both mugs to the table. “It’s so good. Spence was incredible, and no way was I going to walk on the red carpet.”
“As if you kept a low profile.”
I can imagine Mila now, perfecting her bloody catwalk pose and blowing kisses to every camera aimed her way.
“What have you been up to?”
“No way are we talking about me right now. Have you discussed being long-distance? When is he coming here? Or are you going there again? You have to take me next time.”
“One question at a time. We think we’ll be okay with the distance. It’s better than not being together. He’s definitely home for Christmas but he might have another movie to shoot soon.”
“Wow,” she sighs. “Will you move to LA?”
“No.”
“Not even if he does?”
“He won’t move there. He wants his home to be here.”
“Good. Although I would love many holidays in LA, I don’t want you to leave.”
“Not going anywhere.”
“How did you get together?”
I answer that question and the five million that follow.
Mila’s shoulders sag as soon as she’s ran out of things to ask.
“Are you done?” I ask, grinning in amusement.
“Yeah, I think I am. Oh, have you spoken to Wren about all of this yet?”
“I’m calling her later tonight. She’s out with Brody and his parents.”
“I’m so happy for you,” she gushes, picking up her tea. “I can’t wait for your wedding. I better be bridesmaid. Wren has already screwed me out of one.”
Laughing, I shake my head at my crazy friend.
Marriage is terrifying. I’ll have to tell him about my parents if everything works out and we eventually get married.
Twenty-Six
Spencer
I’m beat. My eyes sting from the lack of sleep last night. I think I watched that little plane on my phone for almost the entire flight. The casting director seemed to love me, despite the fact
