Page 21 of Falling For Us Again

Without waiting for my reply, Lola nods at Maggie, who’s busy behind the counter, and I can’t help but notice the subtle exchange of glances between them—something that feels significant, but I can’t place right now.

I make a mental note to ask Lola about Maggie and Dylan later, but for now, I simply grab my bag and follow her out the door.

The drive to her art studio is short, yet it stretches on, filled with an oppressive silence. Lola keeps the windows rolled down, letting in the crisp afternoon air, but it does nothing to dispel the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

My mind races, leaping to conclusions, each one worse than the last.

Lola’s always been the cheerful one, the one who faces problems with a bit of optimism, but today, something’s different. There’s a sadness in her that I’ve never seen before, and it makes my heart ache.

When we finally arrive at the studio, Lola’s hand lingers on the door handle, her fingers trembling slightly as she presses them against the worn denim of her jeans. I don’t take time to admire the studio; my worries about her are at the forefront of my mind.

We settle into the chairs by the large windows, the light filtering through in soft, golden streams.

Lola’s eyes are glassy, filled with tears she’s desperately trying to hold back. She takes a shaky breath, and I can see how mucheffort it takes. Her voice is strained when she finally speaks, barely above a whisper.

“It’s Brian.” The words hang in the air like a storm cloud, dark and heavy. My stomach clenches instinctively.

“Is he hurt?” I ask, my concern spilling out as I reach for her hand. But Lola shakes her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips—an unsettling sound so out of place and so unlike her.

“No, Jenna. He’s not hurt. Not physically, at least.” She swallows hard, her fingers curling around mine as if drawing strength from the contact. “He cheated on me,” she says, her voice cracking under the weight of those four damning words.

I blink, struggling to process what she’s just said. “What?” My voice sounds distant, detached from the chaos inside my head. “Oh my God.”

She nods, the movement stiff, as if admitting it aloud makes it all too real. “I saw a suspicious text on his phone—At first, I thought I was imagining things, but... when I confronted him, he admitted it. He didn’t even try to deny it. I almost wish he’d denied it," she whimpers.”

My heart plummets into the pit of my stomach. I feel sick, anger bubbling up inside me, but it’s mixed with a profound sadness for my friend.

“Lola… I can’t believe this. I’m so sorry.” The words feel inadequate, but they’re all I have. I reach out and pull her into my arms, and she collapses against me, her body shaking with the force of her sobs.

I hold her tightly, hoping that somehow, I can absorb some of her pain and ease the burden she’s carrying.

For a long time, we sit like that, the silence only broken by Lola’s ragged breaths as she fights to regain control. When she finally pulls away, her face is streaked with tears, but there’s a flicker of resolve in her eyes.

“What are you going to do?” I ask, my voice gentle.

Lola looks down at the engagement ring on her finger, the diamond catching the light in a way that feels almost mocking now. “I was so happy when he slipped this ring on my finger,” she says quietly, her voice tinged with sorrow and disbelief.

She rubs the band with her thumb, as if trying to erase the memories it represents. “He cried, Jenna. He cried and told me he was sorry and that he loved me. I saw it in his eyes—his regret. It makes me think maybe it wasn’t his—”

“Lola, he cheated on you,” I cut in, my tone firmer now. “He’s engaged to you, and he cheated. There’s no forgiving that.”

“I know,” she whispers, her voice cracking. “But I love him. I’ve loved him for so long. We’ve built a life together, a future... I’ve imagined everything with him, and now... I don’t want to lose that because of one mistake.”

I take her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “Lola, love is important, but so is respect. Brian didn’t just make a mistake; he made a choice that disrespected you and everything you’ve built together. You deserve better than that.”

She looks at me, tears brimming once more. “But what if our love and our history, everything we’ve been through... what if that’s enough to forgive him?”

I shake my head, my heart aching for her. “I understand why you feel that way, but you need to ask yourself if this is truly the future you want, and whether you can trust him again after this.”

Lola nods slowly, as if absorbing my words, though I can see the battle raging inside her. She’s torn between the love she feels and the hurt she’s enduring, and I know it’s a decision only she can make. I pull her into my arms again.

But no matter what, I’m here for her, ready to catch her if she stumbles.

Chapter 7

LONGING

Jenna

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