Page 12 of Falling For Us Again

He smirks. “Okay then, I can help you find some people if you don’t want my help. I’ll send their contact information to Lola. Just make sure you do something about the ceiling.”

“How about a coffee, guys?” Lola suggests, trying to lighten the mood. “You look like you could use a break, Jenna.”

“That sounds nice. Let me just clean up a bit.”

“Dylan, you’d like some coffee too, right?” Lola turns to him, her tone hopeful.

Dylan hesitates, his eyes flicking to mine. The atmosphere in the room is stiff with tension.

Lola, sensing the strain, clears her throat. “It would be nice for us all to catch up. Just like old times.”

“Not you being sentimental.” He teases her.

She laughs. “I’ve just missed my friends.”

My hands fiddle with a loose thread on my sleeve to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze. The thought of sitting down with Dylan to reminisce, even for a few minutes feels overwhelming.

“Unfortunately, I can't stay any longer.” He glances at his watch. “I’ve left the cafe for too long. Maggie is not going to be happy with me.”

I watch as he turns towards the door.

“Are you sure?” Lola persists a hint of hope in her voice as she walks him to the door. “It’s just coffee. Won’t take long.”

Dylan pauses, his hand resting on the doorknob. He turns back to face us, offering a lopsided smile. “You know very well that if we begin talking, it’s going to take the whole day,” he laughs, his eyes lingering on mine. “Thanks anyway, Lola. I’ll see you around.”

As the door closes behind him, I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The room feels different without him in it, both lighter and heavier at the same time.

Lola sighs, breaking the silence. “Well, that was... intense,” she says, attempting to lighten the mood again. “Let’s get that coffee, shall we?”

“Yes please.”

I head to the kitchen, grateful for something to do. Lola follows me leaning casually against the counter as I prep the coffee machine.

"It’s been a whole decade, Jenna."

"I know. It's hard to believe, isn’t it?"

"You look amazing," she says, her eyes bright with admiration.

"And you look beautiful, Lola," I reply, offering her a warm smile. "I am so proud of your for pursuing your dream of becoming an artist."

“Yes, I am an artist.” she says, gesturing to herself playfully. "It wasn’t easy, but I made it."

"I'm so proud of you."

"And I’m even more proud of you," she says, pulling me into another hug. "I tried reaching out a few times when you released your first book, but I guess with your popularity, my emails must have been lost in the sea of messages."

" I’m sorry. I should have reached out." I say, remorse tinging it.

A moment of silence passes before I continue. "I just couldn’t bring myself to. I guess I wanted to leave my old life behind as quickly as possible. It was too painful."

Lola gently squeezes my hand. "I could never resent you for not reaching out. You did what you needed to do.”

I smile at her in grateful relief.

"When I came across your book, I felt so proud. I've been collecting all your work since then. You're an incredible author, Jenna."

"That's so kind of you to say."

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