Page 122 of The 21-Day Boyfriend
“Someone like you?”
“You know what I mean.”
“So this is the problem? Not that you don’t believe what he says, but that you don’t believe you can be… Loved?”
Mila shakes her head and turns again, her back to me.
“What about Ethan, then? Was he not in love with you, either?”
“Ethan doesn’t know me the way Jake does. He’s never seen any of my highs or lows.”
“But Jake has. He’s been there through them all, and knows exactly who you are.”
“Shouldn’t he want to leg it out of here, then?”
I smile even though she can’t see me.
“Haven’t I ruined enough lives already?”
“Whose life are you talking about?”
“Yours.” She turns back to me again. “The life you’re not living because of me.”
“What are you…? What?”
“I wish you’d stop worrying about me and just live your life, have fun, and…”
“I don’t want to have fun.”
“…And really enjoy this whole thing between you and Eric.”
“There’s nothing going on between me and Eric. It’s just…”
“You like him. You really like him.”
I sigh, defeatedly. “You knew it would end up like this.”
Mila smiles. “I did. As did you. What I’m wondering now, though, is whether you know he likes you, too.”
“I’m not sure.”
Not in the way I’m starting to like him, at least.
“Not everyone is as they seem, you know. You can still find good, kind people.”
“Like Jake?” I ask. She glares at me but doesn’t fight back, because someone is knocking at the door.
“Your fake boyfriend is here.”
I go back into my room and quickly pull on my jacket before heading over to the door. I place my hand on the handle and take a deep breath; Eric is standing before my eyes, in all his absurd beauty and all my inappropriate anxiety.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey,” I respond.
“Hey!” Mila calls from the living room, making us both laugh.
“You ready?” Eric asks.
