Page 25 of Fangirl

His lips quirk.

“Do you think he’ll like me when we meet?”

His comment, thrown so casually into the conversation, sends a warm blush creeping up my cheeks.

I hope to God that the lighting and screen resolution are hiding just how much his words are affecting me.

“I’m not sure,” I say, looking down at Pea, scratching his neck. “Mister is a proper diva, but he’s not above a good bribe. Salmon being his number one.”

Eli nods, grabbing a notepad.

“Salmon, huh.” He scribbles something down. “I’m taking notes.”

I smile, but a small weight settles in my chest.

I remember the real reason I offered this call in the first place.

“So, what’s bothering you?”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Bother? Oh!” His eyes widen. “I’d almost forgotten about that. It’s the effect you have on me.”

I arch an eyebrow, attempting to look unimpressed while secretly preening on the inside. “Make you forget reality?”

He smiles. “No. Make me feel good. Grounded. Just… there.”

My stomach flips at the confession, my face breaking into a grin so wide it’s embarrassing.

I don’t care.I don’t think anyone has ever made me feel this special before.

“It’s work,” he finally says, waving a hand dismissively. “Boring stuff.”

I shift on the couch, setting Pea on the floor before grabbing my cup of tea.

“I’m an accountant. Boring doesn’t scare me.” I lift my cup. “I’m all set. Come on, tell me.”

He sighs, leaning back in his chair.

For a moment, his gaze flickers off-screen, like he’s trying to organize his thoughts.

“Okay, so I’ve got two projects lined up. One is a small indie film. Not much money, but it’s super creative, something I can really use my skills for. The other is a huge Hollywood blockbuster… great money, great recognition, but same old boring shit.”

I take a sip of my tea. “I didn’t realize things could be that different in the special effects world.”

His head tilts slightly. “What? Oh.” He nods. “Yeah, totally. The less equipment you have, the more crafty you need to be…” He pauses. “It’s all technical gibberish, really.”

I hum thoughtfully, then say the simplest thing in the world. “Do you have enough money to pay your bills with either job?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I set my cup down. “Then do what makes you happy. Life’s too short.”

The words leave my lips effortlessly, but as soon as I say them, guilt twists in my chest because I don’t practice what I just preached. I’m stuck in a gray life I don’t truly want, all because I’m too scared to reach for more.

He nods slowly, eyes distant for a moment. “It seems like the logical choice, doesn’t it?” Then his gaze snaps back to me, locking in like a tether.

Something in my chest flutters.

“How are you so wise, Fangirl?” His lips twitch in amusement.