Page 19 of Forever Love-Reimagined

“Let’s do it tonight. I don’t have any plans. I’ll help you.” She went to the bed and pulled down the covers. “You can sleep here, and I’ll read a book on my phone. Then I’ll wake you up when it’s time.”

She put me on the spot, and I didn’t see a way out. But since she seemed more knowledgeable than me, maybe it was better that she was here for it.

“Are you sure? Don’t you need to make up with Adam?”

“I texted him earlier while you were with a client. We are okay. Besides, you were here for me when I needed you, and I want to return the favor.”

“Okay. Let’s do this.” I set my stuff back down, and even though it was early, my body collapsed on the bed.

“All right. I’ll spritz some lavender around the room to set the mood and then turn off the lights.” Who carried around a lavender mist?

“Do whatever you need. Tonight, you’re the boss.”

She chuckled as she fluffed my pillow. “Oh, Leia. I think we both know I’m always the boss.”

That was a fair statement, but I shook my head, expressing my disagreement.

“You’re not the only one good for a laugh.” She tried to play it off, but I was pretty sure she was serious.

After she put the pillow back down, I tucked myself under the covers and drifted to sleep without any problems. I was exhausted mentally and physically, but surprisingly, the lavender was quite nice. It didn’t seem like I was out long before Haley played gentle music and woke me up.

My mind was blank and ready to be manipulated. I took some deep breaths and closed my eyes, remembering the girl from the incident. Her piercing green eyes, her dark hair, the way she made me feel inside. Then I thought about the dance club and the lake and our connection.

The next thing I knew, music was blaring, and my body was gyrating to the beat. It was like my first dream. People everywhere, but not really there. They were like props. Maybe I was the director of this movie. I turned around to see if I recognized anyone, but it was all just blank stares. If I was in charge, I wanted to see her—touch her. Where was she?

My hips still swayed involuntarily, but then they stopped as if I had become a statue. She was near—a tingling sensation ran through me. My heart was like a jackhammer in my chest. I couldn’t move, but then she was there. Her hands were on my hips. Everything inside me was about to erupt, but just like before, it was gone before I could react.

“No!” I screamed.

Haley came rushing over to check on me. “Leia,” she breathed out. “Are you okay? What happened?” Her concern was comforting, but my disappointment was insurmountable.

This might be a lost cause.

Chapter Eleven

Blake - Tuesday

Ihad called Steph to tell her I would be late, but she didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure if she was mad or genuinely missed my call. Since last night was our first time together in a while, I didn’t want her to think I had already stopped trying.

The meeting with Greg’s client was so simple an associate could have handled it, but I didn’t want to be bitter. I had to prove myself, especially to Greg, because he didn’t think I deserved to be where I was. I wasn’t sure why he felt that way, but he obviously did. I always busted my ass in everything I did. That was why I finished top of my law school class and became my firm's youngest senior partner. But none of that mattered if I didn’t continue to show up.

I had to do that in all aspects of my life, which was a new realization. I had always put school and work at the top of my list, but I now had Steph in the picture, and I needed to show up for her, too. This was all new to me, but I would do it.

Once I got all the notes updated in the system for Greg, I headed out. It was later than I wanted, but Steph still wasn’t answering her phone. I was beginning to worry, so I picked up some of her favorite Chinese food as quickly as possible and went home.

When I unlocked the door and shouted for Steph, the only answer I heard was sniffling.

I set the food down and rushed to the couch. “Hey, babe. What’s wrong?” I asked, wrapping my arm around her shoulder while she sobbed. “Are you okay? I’ve been trying to call you.” I pulled her into me, and she buried her face into my neck.

“You can talk to me. I’m sure it will all be okay.” I lightly caressed her back, hoping it was providing her comfort. I didn’t have a good role model to show me how to be sympathetic, but I wanted to be here for her. “Can you tell me what happened?”

She sniffed uncontrollably before pulling back to look at me. “I… got… fired,” she breathed out, which wasn’t what I expected.

“Oh, babe. I’m so sorry.” I genuinely was, too. Even though she changed jobs frequently, she did seem more excited about this one than others. “How’d that happen? You were so happy there. Why don’t we sit at the dinner table, eat some Chinese, and you can tell me all about it?” I pulled her back into my chest as she soaked my shirt with what I hoped were only tears, but I was almost certain I wasn’t that lucky.

“They said they didn’t need my services anymore.”

Wow. That seemed sudden and harsh, and I wondered if there was more to the story. But I guess it doesn’t matter now, though.

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