Holliewood (Completed)

chapter twenty

"Please tell me you're joking," Zara said, turning to face me as I sat on the chair beside her.

We were both getting our nails done. It had been a few days since my trip with Raymond concluded and I was back in LA, going about my everyday life.

We were at a very private nail bar, that not only catered to people in the industry but also followed strict privacy rules. For that reason, Zara and I always spoke freely during our appointments.

The two nail techs worked on our fingers simultaneously, sculpting our requested nail styles while our feet were placed in foot spa machines.

"I wish I was," I responded, giving her a regretful look.

"Damn..." she shook her head at me, sipping from her champagne glass.

"I just don't know..." I let out a sigh.

"Look, Hollie, I love you, but you have to admit you were wrong for going through his shit. That's invasive," she spoke sternly.

"I know," I shut my eyes and rubbed them, feeling regret.

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I'm just to continue pretending that it didn't happen."

"You? Pretend? I hate to break it to you, but pretending things are normal when they aren't isn't a strong suit of yours. I can bet you've already started acting weird around him."

"Then what are you suggesting I do?"

"I honestly don't know, 'cause telling the truth doesn't seem like an option for you right now."

"Because it's not," I let out yet another deep and heavy sigh, listening to the sound of the acrylic being buffed.

"Look... one thing I will say is, I find it beautiful that God brought you these two men at the exact same time. That's him literally telling you that you deserve to be loved. You can easily just pick between the two, but the obvious option is Day, so it's really tricky, because on the other hand-"

"-girl, are you hearing yourself right now?" I raised a brow.

"Yeah," she looked at me like I was the dumb one.

I shook my head at her, "Maybe we should just stop this topic altogether. Like I said, I'll just pretend it never happened."

"Good luck then. We'll see how long you keep it up for," she folded her lips, looking to the floor.

I shrugged, thinking nothing of her statement.

"I'll be good," I responded.

There was a beat of silence between us.

"Anyway, I almost forgot to tell you. Q and the boys are throwing Day a surprise party next week Saturday since it's his birthday and they told me to let you know," she spoke excitedly, grinning right after.

"I'll be there," I responded without hesitation, "where are they throwing it?"

"Q hasn't told me yet, but I'm guessing it might be at his place," she responded.

I gave her the strongest side-eye.

"I said might. Also, after what happened the last time I'm thinking they'll obviously put some safety measures in place."

"Safety measures like what? Following every person who needs to pee to the bathroom?" I tilted my head at her.

"Not that obviously, but what happened last time won't happen again. It was just a rare occurrence. It's a given people will always take whatever they need to take at parties. We have no control over that. That's just the way it is."