Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
He just had to find the courage to approach her.
Chapter Sixteen
Lauren made it through the week on autopilot, barely aware of what she worked on, and by the time the weekend arrived, she was tired, weary, and wondering how long it was going to take for her to get over Chase. And if that was even possible.
After sleeping past noon on Saturday, which she never did, she finally shuffled out to the kitchen in her fuzzy slippers, not even caring that she looked a hot mess in her oldest, rattiest comfort pajamas, her hair an unkempt disarray around her head.
Her outward appearance definitely matched the morose way she was feeling inside, and she embraced the whole package, because it was her day off and she’d given herself this one last weekend to indulge in a good sulk before figuring out how she was going to explain to her parents and Gramps that she and Chase had called it quits. Her mother had left a few messages since the previous weekend, and Lauren called her back, only to get her voice mail. They’d been playing phone tag, but the truth of the matter was that she couldn’t avoid the topic of Chase forever, so that excruciating conversation was on the weekend’s docket. Ugh.
There was no denying that the painful way things had ended between them had felt as devastating as a breakup. Even more so than how things had ended with Greg, which told Lauren just how deeply she’d fallen for her grumpy, reluctant bachelor.
“Good morning!” Tara greeted her in a too chipper tone as her roommate exited her own bedroom, way too bright, fresh, and energetic for Lauren’s mood. “Good of you to join the land of the living.”
Lauren grunted in response as she rummaged through the refrigerator, grabbing the last container of the banana pudding she’d bought from a deli down the street. The rich, indulgent dessert with real bananas, whipped cream, and vanilla wafer cookies reminded her of the one her grandma used to make, and if this was her last day of wallowing, then she was going to make sure she at least enjoyed her favorite treat while she indulged in her pity party.
Taking her breakfast to the living room, she plopped down on the couch, removed the lid, and dove into the pudding.
Tara followed, eyeing her with genuine concern. “What is it going to take to snap you out of this funk you’re in, because I gotta tell you, this is not a good look on you,” she said, indicating Lauren’s entire appearance with a wave of her hand.
“This is the look of having your heart crushed,” she informed her friend.
Tara rolled her eyes, because yes, Lauren was being dramatic and didn’t care.
Tara crossed her colorfully tattooed arms over her chest. “Want me to go beat him up for you?”
Lauren cracked the first smile all week, even though Tara looked completely serious. “I appreciate the offer, but no. I’ll be fine. I promise,” she lied, because who really knew how long it took for a shattered heart to heal?
“I knew I should have set you up with one of the biker guys from the shop,” she said, lips pursed. “Those types of bad boys are notorious heartbreakers, so at least you would have seen it coming.”
Lauren ate the last bite of pudding, set the container on the table in front of the couch, then sighed. “Honestly? I have no regrets.”
It was the truth. The memories she had with Chase were bittersweet, and she chose to focus on the sweeter aspects of their time together. Like the fun pictures of them in the photo booth, and those last few images where she and Chase were staring into each other’s eyes, their connection and affection so evident.
Their pretend relationship might have started out as a ruse, but a man like Chase couldn’t fake those kinds of emotions. She could see for herself how happy he’d been, but there was no forcing him to see the truth, or accept feelings he wasn’t ready or willing to embrace.
A knock sounded on the door to their apartment, and Tara frowned. “Do not tell me you DoorDashed more junk food to eat.”
Lauren shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I have no idea who it is.”
Tara walked to the door and opened it. “Oh,” she exclaimed, causing Lauren to attempt to peer around her to see who was standing on the other side, but her roommate was blocking her view. “Those are beautiful,” Tara said.
“They’re for Lauren Connelly,” a young man’s voice said.
Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. Who could be sending her flowers? And why?
“I’ll take them.” Tara gestured to Lauren behind her. “She’s right over there and not really looking her best. I don’t want to scare you off.”
“Oh, my God,” Lauren said in a disgruntled tone. “I don’t look that bad!”