Page 76 of Unscripted with Mila

“I’ll be here,” I interjected.

Andi flashed me a “duh” look and focused on Mila. “Is that a good idea, kiddo?”

“It’s what I want. I’m not ready to leave just yet.”

“How long?”

“A week. Then I’ll come home and get ready for when the crew arrives for filming.”

Andi nodded. “And has accommodation been discussed for Port Albany?”

“Not yet.” Mila glanced my way. “Nick can stay with me or at the hotel with the crew. Whatever he prefers.”

“For propriety’s sake, I’ll stay at the hotel,” I said, secretly thrilled that Mila wanted me with her. “But I might not be there a lot.” I lifted her hand and kissed it. “We’ll see how that plays out.”

“Your dad?” Andi asked her.

“I’ll talk to my parents.”

“What about your agent?” Andi asked me pointedly.

“She never goes on shoots unless I request it. And I will not be. She hates travel and being inconvenienced. She’ll stay in touch via Zoom and cell phone.”

“She won’t be happy about this development between you. Her opinion of Mila—”

I cut her off. “Doesn’t matter to me. She has no say in who I am involved with. I’ll make that clear to her today. I won’t let her near Mila.”

Mila’s phone rang from the other room, and she jumped up. “That’ll be Sammy. I’ll just be a minute.”

Andi tilted her head, studying me. “She’ll never move to LA, Nicholas. She would die here.”

“I know. I wouldn’t ask her to.”

“Where do you see this going then, if I can ask? She isn’t a fling kind of girl, no matter what she might think. And she’s not an elixir.”

“I already know that. My disorder can’t be cured, only controlled. I have no idea what the future holds for us, but she makes me feel something I haven’t felt in a long time. Hope. I don’t have to hide anything with her. She accepts me for me. Disorder and all. She makes my world better. She makes me want to be better. Do better.”

“And when MJ interferes?”

I leaned forward, my voice low. “Could you look over my contract, Andi? Let your lawyer friend see it? I think I might be ready for a complete change. But before I discuss it with Mila, I need to know my options.”

She smiled. A real, honest smile. “You’re serious about her.”

“I am. I only want what is best for her. And I want that to be me.”

I saw her skeptical expression.

“I know it’s fast, Andi. I know you think she could do so much better than me. And you’re right. She could. But there is something between us. We both feel it. We both want it. I’m asking you to keep an open mind.” I dropped my voice. “To help me.”

For a moment, she said nothing. She searched my expression then made a decision.

“I know an agent. Big in the business, but lives and works out of Toronto. I am good friends with him and his wife. I could ask him to meet with you while you’re in Toronto. Privately, of course.”

I sat back. “I’d like that. Thank you.”

“If you hurt her, I’ll make you regret it.”

“If I hurt her, it will be the biggest regret of my life.”