Page 14

Our space isn't a lot, I have a twin bed in the bedroom, and Taylor sleeps on the pull-out couch in the living room but it'sourspace. It's filled to the brim with things we love, and now just thinking about leaving her here, I start sweating and I have to squeeze my hands to stop them from trembling.

As if she can sense my panic, Taylor scoots closer and begins rubbing my shoulder. “Camila, I’m not going to lie, I am a little concerned with who you are and what you've done with my best friend.”

“I am too,” I say honestly.

“But I’m gonna be honest, it doesn't seem like that bad of a gig?—”

I pull away from her grip. “You can’t be serious?”

“I amnothingif not always serious,” she deadpans and I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes. “But, are you worried about how complicated this could get?”

Immediately I shake my head, “No. Obviously, I was attracted to Miles the night we met, but he made it very clear that he is not now or ever looking for a relationship. This is only a business deal to help us both out.”

“First of all, who said anything about a relationship?”

“Well since I’m not known for a casual hook-up…”

“Yet!” she points a finger at me and I fix her with a stare.

“Ever. Anyway, I only agreed so I wouldn't have to call my parents and tell them I would see them sooner than Christmas this year because I quit my job.”

“Listen, babe, I would sell pictures of my feet covered in peanut butter before I let you move home and face the supposed wrath of Elena and Diego. “

I swipe her with the back of my hand. “Peanut butter?” I squeal. “You’re disgusting. And I hate to break it to you, but you would need to stop investing in food processors and start investing in some pedicures for that business to pop off.”

“Hey!” She holds up her tired-looking feet. “First of all, don't knock other people’s kinks, and second…people would pay for deez toes,” she says, wiggling her toes back and forth.

I laugh at her and feel some of the weight starting to leave my chest. I heave a sigh and lean back into the couch.

“Listen, Mila, it’s basically two free months for you to focus on nothing but what your next move is. And who knows, maybe without the pressure of needing to find something in some stuffy office, you might be able to find something you actually enjoy.”

I don't know that I’ll ever get that lucky. But I give her a smile anyway.

“Thank you, Taylor.” I embrace her and she gives me one of her too tight hugs.

“Anytime.”

Her hand still rubs my back. “You're not just saying all this so you can sleep in my room for the next few weeks, are you?”

“Such a skeptic, you are. But I’m definitely sleeping in your room.” I laugh and pull back. Her hands hold my shoulders tightly and her eyes focus on mine. “But I also meant what I said about figuring out your next move with the hot lawyer. It sounds like a no-brainer.”

It sounds so simple when she says it like that, but I know that living with Miles Cameron is going to be anything but simple.

Squintingup into the setting sun, I crane my neck all the way back, till I find the top of the high-rise building. “Excuse me, Miss.”

To my left one of the movers is trying to get by with a handful of my boxes in hand. “Sorry.” I move to step out of the way before following the next mover into the building. He holds the door to a private elevator, I look left and right.

“Miss?”

“Oh. Um...” I turn my face into a smile. “Thank you.”

The ride up is quiet and long. My stomach flutters and I can’t stop tugging at my sleeves. When we finally make it to the top and the doors slide open I’m confident if my jaw fell any lower it would shatter on the light-washed wood floors beneath me.

I step through the entryway, into the largest space I’ve ever seen in the city. Bright orange light beams through the floor-to-ceiling windows that make up the entire back wall.

The minimal living room takes on a hazy golden color. My fingers glide along the back of the oversized sectional as I move over to the windows. The Golden Gate Bridge acts as the centerpiece of the space. In between the concrete fireplace and sectional sits a low lightwood square table with only a small potted plant sitting on it. Despite looking like a model home and no one actually living here, it is unbelievably calming and inviting.

To the left of the elevator is a beautiful chef’s kitchen with an island the size of my old bedroom. More natural wood and sleek dark iron fixtures accentuate the room. There are exposed shelves with beautiful handcrafted ceramic mugs and vases. The entire open floor is serene, with natural elements covering the space from top to bottom. But my eyes go straight to the wall above the dining table. Hanging above the built-in bench is one of the most colorful and exquisite paintings I’ve ever seen. It’s an oil painting with vibrant greens and gold. Full of texture, making up banana palm fronds. A stark contrast to the rest of the space but no less stunning.