Falling Into Love with You (The Hate-Love Duet #2) - Lauren Rowe Page 0,106

spot-on about that whole thing. Plus, Dr. Reynolds told me I should mend fences whenever I can, so . . .”

Laila’s smile broadens. She’s already made it clear she’s beyond thrilled I’ve started seeing a therapist once a week.

“I think you’d like seeing someone, too,” I say, reacting to Laila’s smile. “After only a few sessions with Dr. Reynolds, I’m already realizing my childhood has affected me far more than I’ve ever understood. I bet it’d be the same for you.”

Laila nods. “Aloha has a therapist she adores. I’ll ask her for the name.”

“Good.”

Our phones buzz at the same time, and we look down to find a group text from Reed, sent not only to Laila and me, but to Fish and Alessandra, as well, letting us know our cheeseball duet is now sitting at number one on the daily singles downloads chart.

“Yes!” Laila says, laughing.

“I have a feeling that sappy love song is going to make us a boatload of money, Fitzy.”

“Woohoo!” Laila says exuberantly, and we high-five. She bites her lip, contemplating something for a moment. “Is it weird I don’t feel any emotional connection whatsoever to that song?”

“I feel the same way. That’s because the song isn’t about us.”

“I’m glad it’s not,” Laila replies. “I wouldn’t have wanted to bare my entire soul and the deepest depths of my love for you for the first time on national TV.”

I furrow my brow, as the implication of what Laila just said hits me. “You’re saying you haven’t bared your entire soul to me yet?”

Laila shakes her head. “I’ve told you how much I love you in words. But telling you how I feel in a song would be a whole other level.” She smiles shyly. “I’ve actually written a love song to you. I’ve been working on it for a while now, but haven’t felt ready to play it for you . . . until now.” She bites her lip. “Now that we’ve finally got the duet behind us, I’m suddenly dying to play it for you when we get home.”

My heart skips a beat as tingles skate across my skin. I’ve been feeling close to positive Laila will say yes when I propose to her tonight, but, somehow, hearing her say she’s written a love song to me, and is now ready to play it for me, obliterates any last irrational shreds of doubt I’ve been harboring. Laila is a true artist. Which means, although she’s damned good at expressing herself in words, it’s when she sings and plays her piano that her truest voice can be heard.

I take Laila’s hand and squeeze it. “I can’t wait to hear the song.”

My phone buzzes in my lap and I look down. This time, the incoming text is from my manager, Eli. When Laila and I first got into the car, I relayed Aloha’s message about her compensation package, and now, Eli is telling me he’s already in the midst of a back-and-forth with producers that makes him feel confident their next written offer, which will be coming shortly, will be in line with Aloha’s deal.

I plop my phone onto the car seat. “Eli says he’s sure the producers are going to offer me a deal in the range of Aloha’s.”

“Holy shit,” Laila gasps out.

“Have you told Daria what Aloha said?”

Laila shakes her head. “There’s no need. Daria is the one who negotiated Aloha’s deal. I trust Daria to get me whatever I’m worth.”

“No, babe.” I motion to Laila’s phone in her lap. “Text Daria and tell her you won’t take a penny less than what Aloha makes. Make that clear to her.”

Laila scoffs.

“Yes, Laila. Tell your agent to coordinate with mine before she responds to any offer. Tell her I’m instructing Eli not to take any deal unless the exact same package is offered to you.”

Laila’s eyes are wide. Her chest heaves, but she doesn’t pick up her phone.

“Laila,” I say, picking up her phone and shoving it at her. “Do it. Tell Daria not to respond to any offer until Eli gives her the green light. I’ll instruct Eli to get the best possible deal for me, nothing less than Aloha’s, and then tell the producers I’ll only take their offer if they give the exact same one to you.”

Her face flushed and her hand trembling, Laila takes her phone from me. “So . . . does that mean you’re willing to say yes to doing the show again—and for multiple seasons—if they pay you the same