Page 41 of Dirty Hot Valentine
“No. You sound upset. What’s going on?”
“It’s just…”
I can’t.
Even if she won’t see me as the perv who has fallen in love with a seventeen-year-old when he was twenty-six. Even if she won’t misinterpret my intentions. I can’t mess with her head like that.
She’s just returned home, starting her life. She has the right to be with one her age. One who doesn’t lead a hectic life with a crazy schedule like mine.
She has the right to build her life on her own. To take things slow. To make mistakes and learn and choose what’s right for her.
If I’m with Maggie—I know it’s impossible, but a guy can dream—I won’t be able to wait for her to do all this. I’ve been waiting for so long, and once she’s mine, I’ll want to marry her and start our family right away. That’s how much I love and want her.
She’s too young. I can’t force myself into her life that hasn’t begun yet.
Or maybe I’m just a coward that isn’t worthy of her.
Either way, my dream has to wait longer. Much longer.
If it ever can come true.
“Mike, I’m starting to worry. Please speak.”
I sigh. “There’s nothing to worry about. I just wanna tell you that I’m going away for a while. It will be more months before I see you again.”
Her scowl deepens. “Yeah?”
“I’m afraid so. I’m shooting two movies back to back.”
“Exactly how many months are you talking about?”
“I don’t know. I might not be able to come back till Christmas.”
She cocks a brow. “Christmas?”
“Yeah. I have a tour, and then I start shooting in Texas. Then another tour. And after the holidays, I am going to Berlin for this big project with Universal. It will take even longer then.”
“Wow.” She swallows and then finishes the last of the joint. “Andrea sure keeps you busy.”
“She does.”
“That’s not months, Mike. That’s years. Again. I thought when I’d come back to L.A. I’d get to see you more often.”
“I know. I wish things were different, but you know… Busy is always good.”
She takes a deep breath and exhales it. “Sure.”
I fold my arms around her and forget myself for a moment in her arms. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Me too.”
Her smell fills my nostrils, and I feel I’m going to break. I push her off me fast. “So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
Her eyes glisten as she seems to struggle with her breathing. “I wanted to ask if you…had a girlfriend, would you stay that long away from her if she, let’s say, couldn’t leave with you while you’re traveling nonstop?”
“That’s why I don’t have one. Besides, no girl is worth sacrificing my work for.”
Except you.
