Page 29 of So This Is Love

“I left most of my things in my LA house. I’m not planning on selling it right now so it made more sense to me to get something that’ll fit the place I’m in right now better.”

“So Chicago is just temporary for you then?”

“Chicago will always be home. But I’m not sure if it’ll be where I am long term.”

“Oh, okay.”

Bryce looks at me and tilts his head to the side slightly, his eyes dancing around my face.

“What?” I ask, confused by the way he’s looking at me.

He shakes his head softly. “Nothing, you’re just hard to read sometimes.”

I want to ask him what he means by that but my phone starts to ring. I glance to see who’s calling and I see Cass’ name on the screen.

“I’m sorry it’s work, I have to take this,” I say standing from the bench.

I step down from the platform and walk a few feet away, turning my back to Bryce to answer my call.

“Hey Cass, what’s up?” I ask when the call connects.

“Hey I know it’s Saturday, but I need to ask you a huge favor.”

“Is everything okay? What’s going on?”

“The delivery dates for the new toners and serums got mixed up so instead of coming on Monday they’re being delivered today. I tried to call Reagan but she didn’t answer.”

Cass’ words are rushed and her voice sounds mildly panicked.

“I hate that I even have to ask this of you but we’ve been waiting so long for this shipment so that we can restock. And you remember the last shipment we weren’t there for the delivery for was stolen and I would do it myself but I’m down in Indianapolis with Cyrus-”

“Cass,” I say, cutting her off.

“Yeah?”

“I need you to take some deep breaths.”

I hear the sounds of her inhale and exhale through the phone, once and then twice and then I speak.

“I will handle the shipment. You don’t even have to worry about it. You enjoy your time with Cyrus okay?”

“Are you sure because I can come back tonight to -”

“Yes I’m sure,” I reassure her. “I will handle it and I’ll see you on Monday. Tell Cyrus I said ‘hello’.”

“You’re a fucking godsend, Laila. Thank you so much.”

I end the call and turn around to see Bryce standing near the door to the room, one hand in his pocket as he scrolls on his phone with the other.

“Everything okay?” he asks as I walk towards him.

“I’m sorry I have to go, my boss needs me to handle a shipment that’s getting delivered.”

“No worries, I can take you wherever you need to go.”

“Are you sure? You probably have more important things to do anyway. I don’t want to get in the way with that.”

Bryce shakes his head. “Laila you can’t get in the way when there isn’t anything there. Think of this as another part of the adventure. I showed you a piece of my world and now I want to see a piece of yours.”

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