Page 154 of Two-Step
Chapter Twenty-Nine
IRIS
“We should go for a drink! Celebrate!”Lisa says. “I know I could use a margarita.”
I smile at my new manager. I really like her, and I am excited about the show. But I’m going to disappoint her because I don’t feel like going out.
We’re leaving Sunset Bronson Studios where I just signed a contract for the lead inCouch Surfing, a Netflix original series. I get to play Mamie McBride, a college drop-out who decides she needs to figure out where her life is going by spending a year hopping from place to place on what she calls herAirbnb Scholarship.Unfortunately, she has a tiny kleptomania problem.
It’s fantastic.
The writing is outrageously funny.
It’s what I’ve always dreamed about.
And I’m happy. Really, I am.
I just don’t feel like celebrating. Or, rather, I do, but the person I want to celebrate with—the one who gave me the courage to claim the career path I truly wanted—won’t see me. Or take my calls. Or respond to my texts.
I’ve seriously considered sending a candy-gram to his classroom. Apparently, I have no shame. Maybe a messenger pigeon would be more original.
Lisa and I step out of the high rise into the midday, L.A. sun. I shade my eyes and spot Ramon parked at the curb on Sunset Boulevard. He gives me a sad wave. I give him a sad wave back.
Ramon has been my lifeline the six weeks since we left Louisiana. I’ve been his.
Knowing he understandsexactlyhow I feel makes this heartbreak just a little easier. Knowing he needs me around to cheer him up makes me put on a smile even when I don’t feel like smiling.
He hugs me when I reach him, and we both cling a little longer than normal. Because our bodies are starving without them.
And I’ve never felt this before. I miss Beau’s touch so badly, my skin aches. It’s like a fever without the heat. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold in Los Angeles.
We untangle from each other, but Ramon clasps my hand lightly, taking and giving support. He looks even sadder than he did this morning, and I know he spent a few hours on the phone with Sally.
We say goodbye to Lisa and get into my Altima. Something’s wrong, and as soon as Ramon settles in the driver’s seat, I don’t waste any time asking.
“What is it? Did something happen?”
My PA/personal trainer/nutritionist/body guard drags a hand through his hair. His neck and shoulders slump like he’s carrying a boulder.
“Oh shit, what did she do?” I was fully prepared for Ramon to break Sally’s heart. Turns out, it’s happening the other way around. I know Ray asked her to move out here, and I know Sally turned him down. But at least she didn’t break up with him. They FaceTime at least once a day. He flew out to visit her for Labor Day weekend, and she’s coming out here for her fall break next month, but the distance is killing him.
Who would’ve guessed it? The mighty manwhore taken down by the preschool teacher.
If she told him she can’t do the long-distance thing, I might have to bitch-slap my best friend for wrecking my other best friend.
“It’s not her,” Ramon says, staring straight ahead. He grips the steering wheel. “I can’t do this anymore.”
He looks devastated. I lay a comforting hand on his arm. It’s not enough and too much all at the same time. My eyes fill with tears. If he’s letting Sally go, at least I won’t have to resort to violence. “I’m so sorry, Ray.”
He whips his gaze to me, confusion in his eyes.“You’resorry? No, Iris, I’m the one who’s sorry.” He swallows and shakes his head, guilt filing his gaze. “I’m taking a personal training job at a gym in Edmond so I can be with Sally. I hate to leave you, but I’m giving you my notice.”
My mouth falls open. I haven’t felt this level of shock since Beau ended things and walked out of my life.
How am I going to do this alone?
At first the panic is almost enough to drown me. But then I look at Ramon. He’s watching me with so much worry. I can’t let him down. I can’t let him feel guilty when he should be happy. And I wouldn’t ever want to stand in the way of his happiness. Or Sally’s. I love them. I want them to be happy.
“W-wow,” I stammer, struggling for a decent breath. “That’s… big news.”
