Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Except maybe John and Ms. Hart—and possibly the drama club kids.
I turn up the tunes and sink into the long drive, stopping halfway through for food and to stretch my legs. It was way more entertaining having John with me on this lonely stretch of highway.
The farther I get from Aqua Vista, the more unsettled I feel. What the hell is wrong with me? Must be nerves and the pressure of succeeding. But also the deep ache of being away from John, potentially for good. Leaving him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Even harder than the first time because, back then, we still had hope and plans.
By the time I pull into Los Angeles proper, I’m mentally and physically exhausted. When I have trouble finding parking near my building, the ball of frustration in my gut knots even tighter. It’s not lost on me that I’ve gone from an entire house to myself, parking included, to vying for a spot on the street while renting a small room.
When I can finally turn off the engine, I grab my bag and one of the boxes of personal items from the house and walk the two blocks to my apartment.
Dennis and Keira are on the couch, having Chinese takeout. It smells divine, and my stomach growls.
“Hey, welcome home,” Dennis says. “And dig in. We’ve got plenty.”
“Damn, thanks, let me just put my things away.”
I head to my bedroom to deposit my things, wondering where I’m going to fit the other mementos I saved from my grandfather’s life. They might have to stay in the trunk until the sale of the house goes through and I make some decisions about housing. I’ll admit it feels disconcerting in this cramped bedroom—and city—after enjoying Aqua Vista for the first time in a long while.
I remove my toiletry case, then head to the bathroom to take a leak and clean up.
By the time I’m finished and back in the kitchen, Dennis and Keira are already cleaning their dishes. I grab a plate and fork and dig into the beef and broccoli container. I confess I missed the food, and I stifle a moan because it tastes so good. I sit at the table with a soda and my loaded plate and scarf it down.
Keira is on her phone and heading toward Dennis’s bedroom for privacy while he fills his water glass at the sink. “Long drive, eh?”
I nod around another bite of food. “All good around here?”
“Yeah, Keira’s been dealing with a work emergency, but other than that, we’ve just been wedding planning.”
“Exciting.” I reach for an egg roll and take a bite as Dennis watches me.
“It is, but a ton of work. I’m trying to help as much as I can.”
“Do you have a date set?”
He smiles. “Next summer.”
“Plenty of time.” I wink. “For both of us, actually.”
“What do you mean?”
I absently graze my fork through the leftover rice on my plate. “I’m not sure what your plans are for the apartment, but I want to find a place of my own now that my grandfather’s house has sold.”
He grins. “Look at you, moving up in the world.”
I nearly choke on my soda. “I suppose it’s about damn time.”
“It’s not like you’ve been lazing about.” His glass clinks as he sets it in the sink. “You’ve worked your butt off and finally got a kick-ass role.”
“Thanks.” I wait as the sound of a police siren fades outside. “Feels a bit…surreal.”
“I bet. I suppose a little nerve-racking too?”
“Definitely. But…” I trail off with a yawn.
Dennis is staring at me. “What were you gonna say? Are you having doubts?”
“Nothing like that. Unless we’re talking about me.” I grab a napkin and wipe my mouth. “It’s just… Shouldn’t I feel more excited?”
He folds his arms thoughtfully. “You did have a long travel day.”
“True. Or maybe after all this time, I’m too jaded.”
“Understandable. It’s a cutthroat industry with more rejections than anyone could ever get used to.” And he’s seen me through most of them, even when I tried to hide my mood. “That’ll likely change on your first day. You love being on set—at least, that’s what you’ve told me.”
“I do. Just ignore me. It’s been a long couple of months.”
He thumps me on the back. “Give yourself a break. And a good night’s sleep.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Keira returns, seeming exasperated, and as she describes the call with her IT boss, I get busy clearing my plate and storing the containers in the fridge. Afterward, we retreat to the living room, where Dennis tells me about a new restaurant that opened around the corner. “Thanks for the heads-up. Indian takeout on me next time.”
“Was it hard leaving Aqua Vista?” Keira asks, and I stiffen. We’ve shared details about our childhoods over the years, and given that she was born and raised in LA, she’s always seemed curious about life in a small town.