Page 58 of A Lesson for Laurel

She shrugged and walked away. He’d find out what was going on when she came back.

Ten minutes later, she returned, her hair dry and still in the ponytail, but she smelled as floral as he did when she came out. Maybe more since she probably used the lotions he saw in there too.

“I’m sorry if I’m coming off insecure. I’m trying not to.”

“Why are you?” he asked.

“As we know, my last relationship didn’t work out so well. I haven’t dated anyone since.”

“Then we are in the same situation. You ended things,” he said. “You had that control. I didn’t end things on my end.”

“Do you still love her?” she asked. “I think maybe that is why I might feel the way I do. You saw how I feel about Philip. No going back there.”

“I don’t still love Rachelle,” he said. “I don’t know if I ever did as much as I should have.” Which was probably why thingsended and she strayed. “Maybe I just don’t have it in me to feel that way enough for someone.”

“I think you do,” she said. “Cut yourself some slack. I think when you find that person you know. Just seems neither of us has found it yet. I look at my aunt and I believe it can happen.”

And he thought of his aunt and uncle and how they loved each other for years. “I think you’re right.”

20

SUPER HAPPY TODAY

“You got laid this weekend.”

Laurel looked up from her computer on Monday morning to see Poppy standing there all but bouncing in place.

She’d heard this sister had a sixth sense about sex but hadn’t believed it was true.

“Shouldn’t you be home getting ready to hold your son?” she asked.

Poppy moved in and shut the door. “Don’t avoid my question.”

“I won’t avoid yours if you don’t avoid mine,” she said. “You look ready to pop.”

“Any time now,” Poppy said, her hands cradling her belly. “But I’m not due for another week or so. I’m not doing as much work. Don’t worry. I’ve got two sisters, a hubby, and countless other people on my case, but things need to get done. I’d rather do it now than worry while I’m out or listen to Reese giving me a hard time about dealing with work while I’m on leave.”

“I won’t bug you,” she said.

“No. And many others won’t either, but some things I’ll have to deal with. Just like Lily had to when she was out and Rose will when she goes out. Now that I’ve answered your question, it’s time to answer mine.”

Poppy had sat in the chair across from her desk. More like gracefully flopped. “I didn’t know you asked a question.”

Poppy rolled her eyes playfully. “I made a statement.”

“There you go.”

“You’re not denying it?” Poppy asked. “Woohoo. I knew it.”

No reason to deny it at this point, but it’s not as if anyone knew she was dating someone. “How did you know?”

“You were whistling at your desk while you worked.”

“I could just be super happy today.”

“Super happy you had some action in the sheets. Your body probably is too.”

“That and a little sore, but only in a good way.”

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