Page 43 of Love Without Demands

Poking my salmon with my fork, I chewed on the inside of my cheek before speaking. “I like this girl, but she’s off-limits.”

Paul chuckles. “I’ve been in that situation before.”

I knew he was referring to my mother, and I smiled. He’d always been completely honest with me about falling in love with her.

“It’s not exactly like that. She’s getting married to someone else, so I know it’s a no-go. But I still really care about her, and…” I searched for the words. “I’m worried about her, Paul. For the past few months, she’s been different. She rarely smiles anymore, and god, she has the best smile. I’ve missed seeing it.”

“Have you asked her what’s wrong?”

“I have, and she says it’s nothing. I can tell something is bothering her though, and it looks like she’s lost weight.” I shrug. “I guess I’m at a loss as to what I should do next. She’s so withdrawn, and I don’t know how to help her with… whatever.”

His lips pressed together in sympathy. “There’s not much you can do until she’s ready to talk about it. I’d say just be there for her. Don’t pressure her to tell you what’s wrong because that may drive her farther away.”

“You’re right,” I said, taking a bite of my fish. “She lives near me, so maybe I’ll drop by more often, just to say hi or whatever.”

“That’s a good idea. Let her know she has a friend if she needs one.” Paul’s eyebrows lifted infinitesimally. “She’sjusta friend, right?”

“That’s all it can ever be,” I told him, trying not to let the disappointment of that show on my face.

I was still thinking about our conversation when I exited the elevator on my floor and paused beside Lehra’s door. Maybe I should see if she wants to go get ice cream or something.

As I raised my hand to knock, I heard something from inside her apartment.What the hell? Was that a sob?Listening closely, I heard it again. Yes, she was definitely crying.

“Lehra?” I called, knocking on the door in a panic.

“Y-yes?” The raw misery in that stuttered word was gut wrenching

“What’s wrong?” I asked gently.

“N-nothing. I’m fine.” It sounded like she was right on the other side of the door.

“You’re not fine. Open up and talk to me.”

“No, it’s… I’m fine,” she repeated, and I felt as though I was about to bust out of my skin. She was obviously the furthest thing fromfine.

Putting some force behind my words, I called out, “Open the fucking door right now, Lehra, or I swear to god, I’ll break it down.”

Chapter 12

I hadn’t meant tosound so harsh, but I was really worried about Lehra. And my bossy tactic worked. The door creaked open, and a red-rimmed eye peeked out.

Her words came out in little hiccuping gasps. “Did… you… need… s-something?”

Pressing gently on the door until she allowed it to open, I stepped inside and closed it behind me. “I need you to talk to me, Lehra. You weren’t at work today. Are you sick?”

“No, it’s other shit.” Ash-gray eyes blinked up at me, causing a couple tears to spill over the rims of her bottom eyelids.

Those tears hit me as hard as if I’d shed them myself, and I reached for one of her hands, needing the contact with her. She must have needed it too because her slim fingers closed around me.

“Why don’t you talk to me about it? I’m a good listener.”

Her bottom lip trembled as she whispered, “It’s the wedding and Dwight’s mother.” The way she said that last word told me what I needed to know.

“Do we have a Mom-zilla situation going on?”

“Yes!” she practically shouted, and my understanding seemed to fuel something inside her. “That woman is driving me fucking crazy.” Lehra’s tears, which seemed to be ones of despair, were now driven by anger.

Yanking her hand away, she flailed her arms wildly and began ranting. “It’s every damn thing. She’s in charge, and I’m just supposed to let her run everything, despite the fact that it’s my wedding. It’s like I’m nothing but a prop.”

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