“Because you’re scared. I get it. I’m sure Dana would, too. You were in that car when your mom died. You watched your sister get hurt and probably thought you’d lose her as well or might die yourself. Dana will understand that, but you shouldn’t keep lying to her.”
“I know.”
“It’s after Christmas now. You already missed your shot to be with her and spent the day at your agent’s house, probably thinking of nothing other than your girlfriend and how much you’d rather be with her.”
“Yes,” she replied, laughing because Kyla was right, as usual.
“So, go there. Be with her. Don’t be stupid. Don’t mess this up. You have to go back at the start of the year anyway. Skip the lame events and parties and just go. If she tells you that she doesn’t want you there again, she’s probably lying.”
“I didn’t get her a Christmas present.”
“You didn’t tellmewhat to get her.”
“I should buy it myself.I’mthe girlfriend.”
“Getting something kinky you don’t want me to know about?” Kyla teased.
“No. I don’t know what to get her, honestly. I thought we’d spend time together here and I’d see something when we were out, or she would mention something at one of the stores and I’d have you grab it later.”
“What is she into, besides you?”
Samara laughed a little and said, “I’m not even sure if she’s that intomeanymore.”
“Samara, I’m sure she feels the same way about you that you do about her. She left New Orleans with you, didn’t she?”
“After I convinced her.”
“She still left. And you said she liked it here.”
“She did. It felt like home.” Samara sighed. “And now, I’m afraid I’ll lose her because she’ll never want to leave that city again.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“Iaman actress.”
“Not with me, you’re not. And, I’m guessing, you’re not with Dana, either. Can you live in New Orleans?”
“I guess. I could buy something there, and I could go back and forth.”
“So, that’s an option.”
“But I’m home here. And she is, too. I swear, she was just a few days away from telling me that she could see herself moving here and trying to make a go of it with acting. Then, this happens, and she’s going to go back to catering, which would’ve been fine if that was actually what she wanted, butit’s not.”
“You know what would make a great belated Christmas gift?”
“What?”
“Telling her that you love her.”
“I can’t do that. It’s been weeks.”
“So? It’s obviously true. Tell her how you feel and be completely honest, however you want to word it. Make sure she knows that it’s serious and real and that you’ll figure things out together, whether she does what you just said, or she ends up leaving there to come here.”
“Fine. But what do I get her for her birthday?”
“What? When’s that?” Kyla asked.
“New Year’s Eve,” she said.
