Page 94 of Reel Love

“Do you like them?”

“Are you kidding me? Who doesn’t like tacos? Are these from Mitzi’s?”

“They are. I got you one of each of my favorites.”

This man. I stare at the tacos as if they arrived in an iconic forget-me-not blue box from Tiffany’s. They’re better than a two-carat diamond. They’re perfect. He’s perfect.

“There’s just one problem,” I tell him.

“What’s that?”

“You’re not here to eat them with me.”

“I … well.”

He pauses, and I almost say something.

Then he says, “I didn’t know how soon we should see one another after last night. I didn’t want to assume anything.”

“I told you, Stevens. I want to see you. And my life is about to be a sideshow at the circus—no. Forget the side show. I’m the full three rings.”

I sigh, then I ask him. “Are you busy today?”

“I actually just got in from surfing and took a shower. I didn’t have anything else planned. No tours. No jobs. Just me and the octopus book.”

“Well, bring your book and yourself and come up here. I leave early tomorrow morning to head to LA. That is … if you want to come over.”

“I do. Definitely. I’ll be there in less than a half hour. I’ll stop for more tacos.”

“I can share.”

“I don’t want you to. I got those for you. Start eating while they’re warm.”

“I’ll just put them in my warming oven on a very low temp. They’ll be fine. I’ll wait for you.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“And Stevens?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

“Me too.”

My stomach flutters with nerves when I hang up. He’s coming here. It’s not like he hasn’t been here before. But then, I had no idea. And now … now he’s … him.

I putter through the house. There’s nothing to tidy. Nothing to clean. I’m a ball of energy with nowhere to release this buzz in my veins.

My phone rings and I literally jump.

Mother.

I’m tempted to let her go to voicemail, but with the premier and party tomorrow, I need to take this.

“Hello.”

“Well, don’t sound so happy to hear from me, darling.”

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