Page 48 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
“Actually, it was the first deal. When I learned what her mom did for a living, I suggested she connect me with her, that’s how I got the meetings. In exchange, I told her she could base her next book on me and tap into my social media following since they’d probably like her books.” I take a long drag. “The interesting thing is, the next day, she offered to let me back out of my end of the deal because she said she wants to earn her audience, not just sponge off me. I admire her integrity and honesty.”
“I’m sorry, did you say youadmireher?” he asks, his voice raising.
“Yeah. We made a deal that will expose her to the millions of women who follow me and that would probably explode her career. Once she was sober, she basically turned it down.”
“Okay, I admit, that’s admirable. I’ve just never heard you say you admire something about a woman before, except Mamma, that’s all. It caught me off guard.”
“Yeah.” He’s right. A quick scan in my head through the women I’ve dated and none of them had half the qualities Destiny has.
“So, what’s she like, this Destiny?”
“She’s pretty great. I’ve never met someone as kind as her. Does things for others without wanting anything in return, purely from the kindness of her heart. The one day, she was taking me to the Hollywood sign, but needed to stop by the hospital first. We watched a soldier get reunited with his wife for the birth of their first child.Sheset it up.”
“Wow, that’s pretty amazing.”
“She is. She’s also very compassionate.”
“Yeah?”
“And she’s fuckin’ beautiful, man, but she doesn’t even know it.”
“Should I ask if you banged her yet?” He knows me well.
“Nah. I’m not saying I didn’t wanna fuck the shit out of her when we first met, but no.” In an attempt to smother my amplifying craving for her, I take a long drag. “First, she’d never have sex with me and second, there’s no way I’m good enough for her. She’s worth more than just a fuck, way more.”
“Do you have feelings for her?” His voice raises again.
“No. She’s just nice. I like her. I like hanging out with her.”
“That’s why I’m asking, shithead.”
“No, man. You know I’m not going there. Not for me and not for her. I’m not gonna screw her up.”
“Look, I love you. But I gotta call you out. It’s time to let go of the Ana-bullshit and move on. Do you really want to be single and alone for the rest of your life?”
“No, but look, even if I wanted to see if there could be something between me and Destiny, it would never work. My career is taking off and I’m traveling a lot doing movies and singing at concerts. What kind of dating life is that when I’d be gone most of the time? Nah, she deserves more than I could give her.”
“Okay, it’s your life. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Yeah, it’s cool. Someday I’ll settle down.” An emptiness sags my heart as I say the words, fearful they’re a lie and I’ll never have what he has, an incredible wife, a son, a family. Maybe my one chance was my last chance. My chest hurts when I think of Ana. “Okay, enough about me. How was your shoot?” I stamp out my cigarette.
“Hey, before that, Franco misses his Uncle Nicco. You should come for a visit when you get back.”
“Yeah, I’d like that. I have another brand shoot when I get back, but I could come after that.”
“Great, Angelina and I would love to see you.”
He tells me about the photo shoot he just did and, when we hang up, I go back inside and lay on my bed. All I can think about is Destiny and my conversation about her with Marco. As much as I’m attracted to her and I’m captivated by her beautiful heart, I like her too much already to risk messing with her life.
