Page 97 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

I sighed and brushed the hair off her face, trying to work out the best way to broach the subject. “I know we’ve been over this dozens of times already, and I know you’ve told me the reasons why you can’t, but I’m begging you to at least compromise with me on this, Liv. This place is just not safe enough, baby. You have no idea how much I worry about you being here.”

Her face fell as she gazed up at me. “I know you do, and I’m sorry I make you feel that way. I’m not doing this to be stubborn, Josh. I’m really not. I understand what you’re saying. Believe me, if there’s anyone out there who understands the importance of safety, it’s me. And I’m not resisting you because I have an obstinate sense of independence, either. It’s about practicality. We’ve barely been seeing each other for a month, Josh. And out of that month, we’ve physically seen each other for one weekend. This apartment is within my means. I can’t afford anything more, and I know you’ve said you’re happy to help me, and I know your argument about me not needing a safer place if it wasn’t for you is valid . . .”

She took a deep breath, her gaze moving between my eyes, searching. “I just think it’s too soon. We agreed to try—to see if we can make this thing that’s between us work. And I think we need to give it some time. It’ll be easier now you’re back in LA. We can see each other more, and see what happens. If we’re both still happy down the track, then I’ll be happy for you to help me.”

It wasn’t the answer I was hoping to hear, but I knew what she was saying. It just didn’t provide a solution for her safety in the meantime, and I didn’t know how to get around that. Unclenching my jaw, I pinned her with a serious gaze. “How long?”

“How long what?”

“How long will it take for you to agree to move?” I said, not willing to drop it until I had a time limit locked in.

It was obvious she didn’t want to choose a time, but if she wanted me to agree to this, it was the only way. “A month?”

I pressed my lips into a thin line. As far as time went, it wasn’t too long, but a lot could happen in a month. And it was for that reason, I now intended to find a secure place for her to live—even if I had to buy one myself. Until then, I’d be spending most of my time in my own apartment at the Colonial House now I was back in LA, and I’d be doing everything I could to convince Liv to spend most of her time with me there too.

Chapter 59

Olivia

“Do you know what?” Sam asked me as I sat down at the kitchen table.

I blinked at her through my haze and widened my eyes expectantly.

Thrusting her hands onto her hips, she scowled at me. “I really tried to like Hannah Bryant, but this,” she said, pointing at her computer screen. “This is bullshit, and this is why I don’t like her.”

Picking up my coffee, I took a sip. I needed caffeine to deal with this. “Do you want to explain?”

Letting out a huff, she turned back to the screen. “An article came out this morning, from a close source of Hannah’s,” she said, her eyes rolling as her fingers made quotation marks in the air, “saying Hannah is devastated that Josh ran off to LA to be with you. It says that Hannah believed her and Josh were in a serious relationship, and that she’s now found out that he’s been cheating with you all this time.”

Calmly, I took another sip of coffee, letting it slide across my tongue before swallowing and breathing. Then I repeated the process again.

Sam dropped down on a chair across from me. “How can you be so calm about it? Don’t you feel like punching her the fuck out?”

I shrugged. “Not really. I met her in Florida. She thinks she can scare me off.”

“See, this is why it’s you and not me,” she said, crossing her arms. “This kind of shit makes me so mad. That’s why I had to leave. I couldn’t work with all the goddamn lies.”

I raised my eyebrows and nodded my agreement. That was another reason why I refused to get drawn into such petty crap. There were so many more devastating things going on in the world than a twenty-year-old raven-haired diva with a bruised ego.

Looking down at my cup, I placed a finger on the rim and followed it around in a circle. “Do you think we can work, Sam? I mean, it seems like there’ll be so many opposing forces against us, trying to do whatever they can to drive us apart. Are we wasting our time trying?”

She watched me for a little while, assessing me carefully. “I don’t think so, Liv. You’re not a nobody who’s blinded by the lights. You don’t get all starry-eyed and excited by the prospect of red carpets and movie premieres. Those kind of girls don’t last because they care about what people think of them. They’re the kind of girls that would believe that article and burst into tears from the doubts running through their heads. But you’re also not one of those girls who shy away from the spotlight. You don’t panic when someone calls out your name, screaming questions at you, and trying to take your picture. And you don’t lose your shit because they won’t leave you alone. If you ask me, you have exactly the right balance. And that tells me Josh is on a winner, so unless he fucks up, you most definitely can make it work.”

I sat back in my seat. “It’s just, Josh is really stressed about the lack of security here, and you know he has every right to be. I mean, there’s nothing stopping anyone from coming right up to our door.” Digging my fingers into my hair, I massaged my scalp to prevent the headache I could feel coming. “I just don’t want to go ahead and upset everything we’ve got set up here, only to have things to fall apart with Josh, leaving me stuck in a place I probably can’t afford. I know we’re not moving in with each other or anything, but it kind of feels the same, if you know what I mean.”

She pursed her lips and leaned her elbows on the table. “Yeah, I can see how it could feel like that. Most relationships certainly don’t start with someone having to move apartments in the first month of seeing each other.”

“Exactly,” I said, glad she got it.

“But most relationships don’t involve a movie star and a pauper, so most relationship rules don’t apply here, Liv.”

I sighed, knowing she was right.

“Just to put it out there,” she said, quirking an eyebrow. “I’m totally up for a nicer, newer apartment should you want to move and retain your current roomy. You only have to ask.”

Grinning, I shook my head. “Yeah, all right. Your input has been noted. I’ll take it under consideration.”

Pushing herself up, she gave me a wink. “Okay, I’m going to be the good house buddy, and go buy food. I’ll catch you later.”

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