Chapter 29
When Sierra got to Lauren’s place, it smelled incredible.
Like someone had gone overboard with garlic, which was exactly what Sierra needed right now.
Lauren was bouncing around their cramped kitchen in bike shorts and a ridiculous oversized shirt that said, “Allergic to Mediocrity.” They had their game face on, stirring whatever was in that pot as if their life depended on it.
“Fair warning. I’m feeling emotional today, so there’s a decent chance I might cry over this pasta sauce. Or literally nothing at all.”
Sierra grinned and slipped her arms around Lauren’s waist from behind, pressing a kiss to their shoulder. “Noted and prepared for all emotional possibilities. Speaking of emotional things, family dinner went okay.”
Lauren turned in their arms, eyebrow slightly raised. “Just okay? That doesn’t sound super encouraging.”
“Honestly? They’re disappointed. They made it pretty clear they think I’m making a mistake, that this isn’t what they wanted for me. But Dad said I’m still his daughter, even if he needs time to process it. It’s not acceptance, but it’s not total rejection either.”
Lauren’s face saddened. “Did you tell them about me?”
“I told them I met someone named Lauren who makes me ridiculously happy. That’s about it.”
Lauren hesitated, and something unreadable flickered across their face. “Did they ask questions about me specifically?”
Sierra shook her head immediately and firmly. “No. I wouldn’t have given them more if they did. Your story is not mine to tell. It’s nobody’s business but yours.”
Lauren exhaled and leaned their forehead against Sierra’s. “Thank you. Seriously. That means everything to me.”
The rest of the evening was cozy but oddly quiet. Lauren was still affectionate, still Lauren, but their usual bright energy seemed dimmed somehow. Sierra noticed the change, but she didn’t want to push. Instead, she offered gentle kisses and soft touches.
As they were getting ready to leave, she asked, “Do you want to come back to my place tonight?”
Lauren nodded without hesitation. “Yeah. I missed Salem.”
Sierra raised an eyebrow with exaggerated offense. “That’s it?”
Lauren smirked; some of their spark returned. “Obviously not.”
They walked hand in hand back to Sierra’s apartment, and Salem gave Lauren exactly thirty seconds of cold-shoulder treatment before dramatically collapsing onto their lap on the couch and demanding immediate attention. Lauren obliged, scratching under his chin with exaggerated devotion.
“You’re very demanding.”
Sierra headed to the bedroom to change, and the sound of her phone buzzing broke the silence. A new text from Thalia arrived, causing the screen to light up, and Lauren instinctively looked down at the display.
Thalia: I know that wasn’t the reaction you deserved. I’m proud of you for telling them, and I hope you and Lauren are okay.
Lauren’s lower lip trembled, and tears welled in their eyes as she looked away, the message’s words echoing in the silence.
Sierra returned, and they went to bed and cuddled, but Lauren remained silent and kept to herself, only the hollow echo of Lauren’s unspoken pain.
Sierra brushed her thumb gently along Lauren’s cheek. “You sure you’re okay?”
Lauren nodded, but it didn’t quite reach their eyes. “Just being emotional makes everything feel bigger than it is. I’ll be better after some sleep.”
Sierra kissed their forehead softly. “I’m here for you right now. We’ll figure out the rest later.
They drifted off to sleep, their bodies touching, the warmth of their skin a comfort as their breaths melded into one.
Sierra had a shoot scheduled at the park the following day. Mid-afternoon, straightforward stuff. Just some engagement photos for this couple. As she was putting her camera away, someone called out from across the lawn.
“Sierra? Oh my God, is that you?
She looked up startled. “Josh?!”
They both laughed and went straight into an enormous hug. The kind you give someone you hold in high regard. He paused, his hands lingering on her shoulders as he took in her appearance, and then he enveloped her in another hug.
“Wow, it is you. You look absolutely amazing.” Josh grinned with the same easy smile she remembered.
Sierra felt her own smile spreading across her face. “I’m technically still working, but we’re basically done here. Give me like ten more minutes?”
“Yeah, absolutely. I’ll wait. Want to grab lunch after and catch up properly?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Ten minutes later they were at a cafe with drinks getting watery and sandwiches they kept forgetting to eat. Josh filled her in on his life: graduated college, got a job at a startup, been with his girlfriend for like a year and change.
“Things are good.” She knew he truly meant it.
“That’s so awesome. I’m happy, too. I actually met someone I’m totally crazy about.”
Josh’s eyebrows went up.
“Lauren is incredible. We’ve been together a few months, and it just feels so right, you know? I’ve always been more into the person than what gender they are, if that makes sense. Then they appeared, and everything just seemed to fall into place.”
Josh’s expression grew softer and genuinely pleased. “That’s amazing, Sierra. I’m so glad you found someone who gets you.”
He paused, then added with a self-deprecating grin, “My girlfriend’s kind of like you, now that I think about it. Full of personality, funny as hell, and super into art and photography. I think I accidentally replaced you without even realizing it.”
Sierra laughed out loud. “You always did have excellent taste.”
They ended up talking for like an hour, catching up on people they both knew and swapping work horror stories. When they finally had to go, Sierra walked home feeling happy but also a little weird about the whole thing.
She hadn’t mentioned Josh to Lauren yet. It wasn’t as if she was hiding anything. They were over years ago. Today was totally innocent, but it felt like something Lauren should probably know about.