Page 112 of Don't Quit the Day Job

I hang up and shake my head. Fuck I think to myself. I try calling Lila again, but it goes to voicemail. I decide to leave a message.

"Hey, it's me, Max. I really need to talk to you. Can you call me when you get a second?"

I hang up and pace back and forth. There's no way I'm going to be able to think about work while I'm wondering where she is. I decide to go and speak to Skye and see if she has any idea. I drop by Kingston's office and see her standing there talking to Juniper.

"Hey, you two."

"Oh, hi Mr. Spector," they say in unison.

"Can I ask you a question, Skye? Maybe you as well Juniper."

"Sure," Skye says, nodding. "What is it?"

"You don't happen to know where Lila is, do you?"

Skye looks at Juniper and Juniper looks down at the ground. I frown.

"So, I'm taking it that you do know where she is. Can you tell me? I really need to speak to her."

"She is not in New York right now," Skye says, looking nervous.

"Will you tell me where she is?"

"I don't really know if I should." She looks down at the ground as well.

"Please. I don't really know what's going on here and I really would like to know."

"Lila's in L.A.," Skye blurts.

"What?" I blink. "What are you talking about? Why is she in L.A.?"

"She had an audition." Sky shrugs. "And she's made it to the last round and it seems like she might get the part."

"An audition for an acting gig?"

"Yeah." Skye nods. "This could be really big for her career. You know it's always been her dream to be an actress."

"I know," I say, nodding slowly. "Thanks for the information."

I head out of the room and back to my own office, where I close the door and sit down. It’s true. When I met Lila, she told me she wanted to be an actress. That had been her dream and goal and we haven't talked about it once since we'd started dating and all of a sudden I feel guilty. All of a sudden I feel like I haven't really allowed her to be herself. I've been so happy with the relationship as it was going that I hadn't thought about her other dreams. But it was also true I hadn't thought about my own dreams of becoming a judge. My life is going perfectly now that she’s in it. I realize that maybe I've been selfish.

I call her again, but she doesn't answer. This time I send a photo of myself with a wry smile and then I text her.

"Hey, we need to talk."

Just as I finish sending the text, my phone rings and my heart leaps into my chest hoping it's her, but it's my dad.

"Hey, Dad. What's up?" I say.

"Just checking you made it back to New York okay."

"I did. Thank you for checking."

"I just want you to know that I'm proud of you, son."

"What?" I say, frowning slightly.

"Taking on Marie and the baby, looking after her, I know it's not your responsibility, but I know it's most likely what she needs. Her mom and I are a big mess."

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