Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
I was certain of only one thing when it came to Nicholas Scott. He didn’t have the essentials needed to fight this on his own.
I didn’t hear from him in the evening, and although I swam late that night, he never appeared. I tried to assure myself it was because he would be tired, but I feared I had hurt him with my withdrawal the night before.
I ached not seeing him. It felt as if a small part of me was missing. I told myself that was crazy. I barely knew him. It wasn’t as if he was an essential part of my life.
But still, the sensation continued.
The next morning, Andi mentioned flying home. “I have some things cropping up I hadn’t expected. If they’re going to wrap here soon, I thought we could head back. If they need you, they can Zoom. Or they’ll see you back home.”
It made sense. I had no desire to go back to the set today. Andi said the filming hadn’t gone well yesterday, but when she spoke with Amber, the director was sure today would be better.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Nicholas wasn’t at his best, I gathered.”
“Oh.”
“Much like you were off yesterday.”
I shrugged, not replying.
“Should I book us the flights home?” she asked.
I looked over her shoulder. “Yes.”
The rest of the day I spent pretending to write. The words were stilted, and the ones that came out were sad and twisted. Soaked in emotion that changed the entire story. In the end, I saved the work in a different file, already knowing it would be part of another book. But today, I didn’t have it in me to write the lighthearted rom-com that had been flowing so well.
Today, I felt anything but lighthearted.
I felt weary. Sad. Disheartened.
I took a walk, sending scathing glares at the paps hanging around the hotel from behind my sunglasses. I spoke to Sammy and my mom at the ranch, forcing a smile into my voice as I listened to them talk about the project being done and how much my mom loved the ranch.
“We’re all going to come for a girls’ weekend,” she said enthusiastically. “Rachel is going to reserve the cabins and all the experiences for us!” Then she lowered her voice. “I think your sister may end up staying here, Mila.”
“Really?”
“She and Luke…well, suffice it to say, I have never seen her like this. I think this is serious. He is quite wonderful. Your dad and I like him a lot.”
I wondered if they would feel that way if I brought Nick home and told them what he meant to me.
Not that the chances of that happening were high.
She was pleased to hear I’d be home soon and assured me everyone was excited about the filming. I managed to inject enough false happiness into my voice, so she had no idea how I was feeling.
But once I hung up, I walked out to the balcony, sitting down and letting my shoulders drop. I hadn’t slept well the night before, and I was tired. I felt Nick’s silence even more today, and half a dozen times, I picked up my phone to text him, only to stop. Twice, I was tempted to call the driver to take me to the set, but I didn’t. I wasn’t sure Nick wanted to see me. I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to see him.
Because, despite everything I read, every fear I had, the one thing that kept coming back to me was the fact that somehow, Nicholas Scott had become extremely important to me. I felt his need for me as acutely as I thought he knew mine for him. And it wasn’t a silly crush. From the moment we met, we’d felt the draw to each other. On some level, we recognized the other person’s hidden pain, and we eased that.
Darkness fell and I sat there, not moving. I knew I should pack or write. Go for a swim. But that wasn’t what I wanted to do. Finally, I got up and poured a bath. Soaked for a while in the lavender-scented water, the steam and scent soothing. I brushed my teeth and pulled on a robe. There was a text from Andi saying she’d booked our flights home, and I stared at the words, fresh pain hitting me.
Would I have the chance to say goodbye to Nick? Dinner was off the table now, but I hoped at least we could be…friends. Tears filled my eyes. He was more than a friend.
My phone buzzed again, and my eyes widened at the simple message.
Nicholas
I miss you, Shortcake.
My fingers shook as I replied.
Me
I miss you too. I’m sorry.
Nicholas
Do you want to see me?
Me
Yes.
Nicholas
Open your door.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MILA
I flew across the room, tearing open the door. Nicholas stood on the other side, looking as anxious as I was. He stepped in, looping an arm around my waist and pulling me tight to his chest as his head descended, his mouth covering mine. With a sob, I flung my arms around his neck, kissing him back. Somewhere in my mind, I heard the door shut, felt him pick me up and carry me to the bedroom.