Malibu Love Story: A Novella

Chapter 15: Day by Day

The next few days were tense and sorrowful for Reed. She got almost no writing done, and as far as she could see, Duncan wasn't getting much done, either. He would sit, staring off into space, until he'd suddenly look around, as if realizing he wasn't doing anything.

They were cordial and distant to each other, like polite roommates, which was what they were at this point, Reed decided.

Happy platonic August to everyone.

Once, Duncan accidentally brushed against her when they were in the kitchen. "Oh, excuse me," he said, his voice formal.

"That's okay, I know it wasn't your fault," Reed responded with a measured smile.

Duncan smiled back. "Thank you."

Reed left the kitchen as quickly as she could, escaping to her bedroom. She leaned her forehead against the sliding glass door that led to the deck, eyes closed.

Was the rest of her time here going to be like this?

She regrouped and headed for the office, where she'd spend the next few hours staring at her laptop screen, or surreptitiously staring at Duncan on the sofa.

He was already there, notes spread out on the table, guitar in hand. "You know about the party? This Saturday?" he asked.

Reed nodded. "I remember. You want me to stay in my room? Or I could go out or something?"

Duncan stared at her. "What? Of course not. I just wanted to remind you so you wouldn't be surprised when people started showing up and cooking and setting up a bar and all that in the morning."

"Like caterers? I thought this was going to be a small party?" Reed couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice.

"Oh, it will be, but I still like to have someone else handle all that stuff," Duncan explained. "Don't want to be bothered, if I'm honest. I think there will only be about fifty people."

"That sounds like a lot of people to me," Reed responded.

They sat in silence for a few moments.

"Um, Duncan?"

"Yeah?"

"What should I wear? I mean, do people usually get dressed up?"

He smiled at her. "No, please wear what you want, be comfortable. How about that yellow top with the wildflowers on it? You look lovely in that one."

Now it was Reed's turn to smile. "Thank you. Okay, the yellow it is."

"Don't expect too much, yeah?" Duncan looked at her earnestly.

"What do you mean?"

"From the party. Most of them aren't my actual friends, like people I'd want to spend time with. These are mainly people I have professional dealings with, or acquaintances from work, the studio, the label, you know."

"Where are your 'actual friends,' then?" Reed asked curiously.

Duncan shrugged. "They're all over, I guess. Many are in England, or Europe, I have a couple of good friends who're on tour right now—" he paused and swallowed. "I'd tell you I'd introduce you to them sometime, but there's not much point, seeing as how you're leaving in a few weeks."

Reed sighed. "I understand."

Silence.

"Reed?"

"Yes?"

"What if I said I'd go with you? Back to Orlando? Would that make a difference?"
Oh my god.

Reed looked at Duncan, heaving for breaths. Slowly, she shook her head. "Please, please, can we just not talk about this anymore?" she begged. Tears spilled over and coursed down her cheeks. "I already feel so awful."