“Because youtoldme all about her, you dumbass! Years ago, not long after I met you. We were drunk or stoned or who knows what, and you told me all about thepinnacle of female excellence, as you called it. You said it was impossible for anyone to be as perfect as Mahreen and that you’d never forgive yourself for screwing things up with her.”
Nikhil chuckled. Now he remembered. He really had it bad for her back then. He almost didn’t move to LA after what happened on prom night, even though that had been his plan forever. He had fantasies of flying back to Toronto and showingup at her house with a truckload of flowers and apologizing for it all. “I was pathetic.”
“Sounds like you still are. And that answers my question. Yeah, you’re in love with her.”
“How do you know?”
“Because the easiest person in the world to fall in love with is the one you used to be in love with. What is it about this girl, anyway?”
Nikhil looked out into the distance. “I don’t even know. She’s just… different. She’s gorgeous and very… posh. And she’s, like… reserved. Private. But deep inside, if you can get past that shell, she’s different. She’s the sweetest person ever and also really… passionate. She’s always been like that. And she… she sees me.”
“Like your family doesn’t.”
Nikhil nodded. It was such a cliché. He left Toronto all those years ago because he’d never be Arjun, and he was tired of his parents’ criticisms about it. Even at school, everyone said he was an idiot for wanting to be a comedian or an actor instead of doing something normal with his life. No one ever took him seriously.
Only Mahreen. She genuinely laughed at his jokes. Told him he was talented. And she opened up to him like she rarely did for anyone else.
“It always felt like no one noticed me back then,” Nikhil said. “At home or at school. But Mahreen did. And it felt like she liked what she saw. It still feels like that.”
Tyler smiled. “You need to be honest with her this time, Nik. Don’t let her be the one who gets away. Again.”
“Nah, she wouldn’t want that. Gonna keep it unrequited again.”
“She let you move in with her. You don’t think she’s interested?”
Nikhil shook his head. “It’s not like you and Angelo, Ty. Marley’s not in the industry. And she’s going through stuff right now… It’s arguably an even worse time for her to be in a relationship than me. Who’d want this? Paparazzi following me. Gossip columns saying I’m dating Serena Vox. Nerds hating me.”
“I mean, I checked your hashtag. A lot of nerdswantyou, too.” Tyler shook his head. “I can’t understand why.”
“Asshole,” Nikhil said. “Why are we friends, Ty?”
Tyler chuckled. “Because we’re thesame, my man. Hopeless romantics. Hollywood glamour, the love of the craft, art, entertainment. And we have an almost irrational drive to succeed. But we’re also a different kind of romantic, too. We’re… idealists. We want the dream but on our terms.” He took a sip of his beer. “Let me tell you something I’ve learned in the last year. The dreamispossible, but it’s a fuck ton more complicated and way more work than we realized. And… it’s so much better… like, monumentally better. But you need boundaries to keep the bullshit out.” He looked over at Angelo. “And I think you need a partner to remind you that you aren’t the hot shit that everyone says you are… or the steaming shit. The only grounded people in Hollywood are the ones without yes-men or sycophants.”
“You’re on a family show, Tyler.”
“Yeah, that’s why I swear so much off set. It sounds like there is more to your situation with her than you can say right now. I’m not going to pry, but… youdorealize movie stars live in Toronto, right? Not only is there a healthy industry there—I mean, your own blockbuster is filming there—but also? Filmshoots are what—a few months at a time? If coming home to this girl makes you feel anywhere close to how I feel coming home to Angelo, then trust me: it’s worth it.”
Nikhil looked over at Angelo, who had jumped into the pool to play tag with Felix. Nikhil didn’t know if he wantedthis—a house in the suburbs, kids—but he had to admit this was the most peace he’d seen in LA. It was as cozy as Marley’s house in Toronto. And it all looked so great on his friend.
Maybe Tyler was right. Maybe peace like this was worth fighting for. “Anyway, we work together. I can’t be with her—she’s my stylist.”
Tyler shrugged. “So? Get another stylist. They’re a dime a dozen.”
“No, not ones like Marley, they aren’t.”
Nikhil video called Marley after dinner to see how she was doing. She didn’t turn her camera on, though—she probably thought she looked tired. Or maybe she’d been crying again.
“Hey, Hollywood,” she said when she saw Nikhil. He could hear the smile in her voice. He had no idea why he ever thought Marley didn’t smile. “How were your events today? Wow, look at that view behind you. Where are you?”
He moved the camera so she could see the expanse of the Hollywood hills. “My buddy Tyler’s backyard. I’m staying with him instead of a hotel… so much friendlier.” Tyler was standing to go inside. “Here, Marley, say hi to Tyler. You’d like him… he calls me out on my BS.” He held the phone out to Tyler.
“Ah, lovely Marley,” Tyler said. “A pleasure to meet you.Whenever you’re in LA, you’re also welcome to stay here… with or without this sad sack. I’m going in. Have a wonderful night.”
Once Tyler was inside, Marley let out a squeal that Nikhil didn’t know she was capable of making. “Nikhil, that wasTyler CastillofromVegas Hope! You didn’t tell me you were friends with Tyler Castillo!”
“I told you about Ty, didn’t I? We were roommates for years. Great guy. Real smart-ass. How’s your pain level been today?”
“No, we’re going to talk aboutyourlife. You’re in a TV star’s house in Hollywood! It’s infinitely more interesting than my life right now. You don’t want to hear about me scratching McQueen’s ear for an hour. Or about the glassblowing reality show I binged. How was that daytime talk show? Was the host as nice as she seems on TV?”
