“And you knew a lot about what being pregnant feels like,” I continue. “He obviously still has feelings for you, and you’re not over him, either, which means something’s keeping you apart. Something big.”
“That’s one heck of a leap you made there, Lore.” Rose takes a sip from her tea before placing it on the table and lifting her feet to the couch, hugging her knees. “We were young, met in college. We were only twenty when I got pregnant, but we were over the moon. Then I had a miscarriage, and it all fell apart.”
“I’m sorry, Rose.” I rub her shoulder.
“It was a long time ago.” She sighs, and her green-blue eyes full of sadness when they turn to me. “Stop stalling and call Michael.”
I nod, picking up my phone with trembling hands and dialing his number, almost surprised when he answers me after two rings.
“Lauren?” his voice sounds panicked. “Are you okay? Is everything okay?”
“I need to talk to you,” I say into the phone, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Face to face.”
There’s a long silence, and my control is wavering, my lip starting to tremble, and Rose scooches over, placing a comforting arm around me.
“Please, Mikey.” I can’t stop the crack in my voice. “I wouldn’t have asked if it weren’t important. Please.”
“I can be in LA at the beginning of next week,” he whispers.
“Thank you.” I hang up before he changes his mind, the overwhelming emotions of the day finally catching up with me, and I break down sobbing into Rose’s shoulder.
How did I let this happen?
Chapter Nineteen
Lauren
The doorbell rings,and all the air leaves me at once. I force a deep breath and go to the door, repeating my mantra. “You can do this, Lore. You’re arockstar.” I grab the doorknob and turn.
Oh God, that torn look in his eyes when I open the door, the sigh of relief combined with a pained grimace. As if he can suddenly breathe again but hates that seeing me makes him feel that way.
“Mikey, hi.” I take a hesitant step forward, unsure if I should hug him or not. I want to. I need the feeling of those strong arms wrapped around me again, making me feel safe and giving me strength.
“Jesus, Lore, that look in your eyes.” Michael swoops me into a tight embrace, and I barely suppress a sob of relief. “You’re killing me here."
“Don’t die. I need you,” I mumble into his chest, reluctant to let go.
“Lauren…” His voice breaks, and he takes a deep breath. “Let’s sit?”
“Yeah.” I step out of his embrace, noticing my palms were resting on my stomach the entire time. “We probablyshouldsit.”
The tense silence is making my insides knot, reminding me of our first couple of days together in this loft. It seems like a lifetime ago.
As if reading my mind, Michael smiles ruefully as he looks around. “It feels like forever since I was here.”
We sit on the couch, and I take a deep breath, wringing my hands, and constantly swiping the fringes on my forehead. “I need to tell you something.”
“Can I start?” Michael sits at the other end of the couch, looking just as anxious as I feel.
“Um, okay.” I nod, hoping whatever he says eases my nerves.
“How much did Trista tell you about Naomi?”
I wonder what his dead girlfriend has to do with anything, but I decide to humor him. “Just that she was murdered and how hard it hit you. A few details about the year after, but we mostly talked about how it affected her since it was when Brian was here, and there was an entire mess with them.”
Michael grimaces. “I really did a number on Tris, didn’t I?”
“I think she ended up being just fine, don’t you?” I offer a small smile, and he smiles back and nods. “What did you want to tell me about Naomi?” I urge him, and he takes a bracing breath.