He opened the passenger door for Graham, who hopped in. Jonah gave the dog a final scratch. Then he shut the door, came around the car, and opened the driver’s side door for her.
She brushed past him, not allowing herself to make eye contact, because her emotions were bubbling dangerously close to the surface.
“Drive carefully.”
“I will.”
He shut the door as Lauren buckled up. Then she started the car and put it in Reverse. She didn’t glance his way until she’d put the car in Drive. He looked so stoic standing there, shoulders rigid, jaw tight. Her Jonah. Pain unfurled in her chest, overwhelming, unrelenting.
Tearing her gaze away, she accelerated. She barely made it to the end of the driveway before hot tears trickled down her face.
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.
