Chapter 34
Lauren hadn’t meant to drive straight to Sydney’s apartment. But when she looked up from her musings, that’s where she was.
The drive home to Boston had seemed long and wearying, and she’d entered the city to find the highways congested and construction
everywhere.
Her initial crying spell had lasted for miles, and after she was spent of emotion she determined to put Jonah from her mind
and focus on her new job. She even placed a Bluetooth call to Olivia, and they went over the January events already on her
calendar.
Now she pulled into the apartment lot and Graham stood on the passenger seat, nose pressed to the window.
“I guess we’re stopping here. Would you like to see Aunt Sydney again?” Maybe Lauren didn’t remember the two of them meeting,
but Graham would.
He turned, tongue lolling from his mouth.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
After letting Graham relieve himself they entered the building. The dog trotted up the interior steps ahead of her. After
two flights Lauren stopped at apartment E and knocked.
The door swung open almost immediately. Sydney’s brown eyes widened at the sight of Lauren, and she grabbed her in a hug.
“You’re back! I was hoping you’d stop by.”
“It’s so good to see you.”
Sydney withdrew. “You’ve been gone too long! Don’t you go away again.”
“It seems like forever.”
“Come in, come in.” She petted Graham on his way past. “Hello again, little friend.”
Lauren followed her inside. Sydney’s short and sassy black hair stuck out every which way. She wore a chic sweat suit in hunter
green that complemented her olive skin tone.
Once inside, her friend squatted down to greet Graham. “I missed you, too, puppers. No doggies are allowed here, but we’ll
just keep that to ourselves, won’t we?”
Graham licked her cheek, smiling the way only dogs can.
“Oh, you’re such a charmer. We’ll soon be besties.” She cut Lauren a glance. “Maybe then you’ll tell me why your mommy looks
so rough.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I was just getting ready to make a grilled cheese sandwich. Want one?”
“Sure,” Lauren said. The sound of food made her slightly nauseated, but it was lunchtime.
“I can’t believe you’re finally home. We have massive amounts of catching up to do.”
“I know. You have a boyfriend I haven’t even met. I haven’t seen my new apartment yet—I came straight here.”
“Good girl. We can go over later and get your things from storage.” Jeff had offered his help and the use of his truck. The
two of them had met several weeks ago at the restaurant where she worked.
While Sydney got lunch underway, Lauren filled a dish with water and set it on the floor, but Graham was more interested in
sniffing every square inch of the place.
They caught up, Sydney telling all the things she and Jeff had been up to since they’d last talked. They reviewed their Christmas plans—dinner here at Sydney’s with a few friends—the restaurant’s upcoming expansion, and Sydney’s recent promotion to manager.
As Lauren set the table she told Sydney about her phone call with Olivia and the events already on her schedule for January.
“I hope Ella left some good notes. I can’t wait to throw an event I planned from start to finish.”
“That’ll happen soon enough.” Sydney sent a smile Lauren’s way as she moved the sandwiches to plates. “Do you realize you’ve
attained your dream job—and you’re barely out of college? You lucky girl.”
“I know. Somebody pinch me.”
“Well, it’s hardly luck . You’ve worked hard for this, putting yourself through college while working full-time.” Sydney studied her friend a long
moment while Lauren straightened the napkins on the table.
Her friend’s stare was like a heat-seeking missile. Then Sydney approached with the food, and they sat across from each other
at the breakfast table and dug in.
At least Lauren did.
Sydney was still searching Lauren’s face. “So are you ever gonna tell me what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on. It’s me you’re talking to. I can see right through that fake smile of yours.”
“I’m just tired from the drive, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Fine. It was harder leaving Pinehaven than I thought it would be.”
Sydney pinned her with a disbelieving look. “Leaving Pinehaven or leaving Jonah?”
“It’s one and the same, isn’t it?”
“Not really.”
Lauren lowered her sandwich as her throat thickened with that stupid lump again. It was just too fresh.
“I’ve never seen you like this. I thought you’d be over the moon about starting at Glitter. It’s all you’ve been able to talk
about since January.”
“I am excited about it.” She tried to infuse some enthusiasm into her words.
“Are you? ’Cause it seems like you’re about to cry.”
Lauren blinked back tears. “It was hard leaving them—all of them. I got attached to the Landrys. They’re—they’re so wonderful.”
“They’re warm and welcoming people.”
She could almost feel Tammy’s arms around her. Feel Tom’s awkward pats on her back. But who was she kidding? It was Jonah
she felt wrenched about leaving. Jonah she would miss most of all.
Lauren squirmed under Sydney’s direct gaze. “I think I fell in love a little.”
“I think you fell in love a lot,” she said softly. “Did you tell him?”
“No.” Lauren dabbed at her eyes. “Why would I do that to him? Jonah’s firmly rooted in Pinehaven. He’s finally taking over the
resort for his parents. And my life is here.”
“Are you sure it’s worth the sacrifice you’re making?”
If only her mother had asked herself that before gallivanting off to New York with a man who probably lasted two minutes!
Heat infused her face. “It’s not just another job—it’s my dream job. And I refuse to throw away my dreams for any man.” She gave a hard sigh. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. It
is what it is and there’s just no point in wallowing in it. I’ll get over it soon enough.”
Sydney’s expression softened. “All right, honey. Sorry for pushing. I’m here if you need to talk.”
Lauren took a few deep breaths. She hadn’t meant to get so riled up. “I appreciate that.” But talking wouldn’t fix anything. Talking wouldn’t take away these feelings and it wouldn’t give her everything she wanted. She’d feel better once she immersed herself in her new job. Until then she just had to be patient.