Page 89 of A Lesson for Laurel

“Nothing of importance. Most of it was superficial. Like the big ring she wanted from you but didn’t get from Connor.”

“That was petty of me to notice that,” he said.

“It’s the first thing I noticed,” Nicole said. “So not petty. I’m just saying I don’t think she knew what she wanted. Maybe shefound what was important to her now in life. I’d like to think you did too.”

“I did,” he said. “Which is why I’m here. I’m pissed that seeing her worked me up. That I can’t let it go when I know I’ve got something so much better.”

“That’s right,” Nicole said. “You do. Remember that. Rachelle lost out and I think she sees that now.”

“She asked how I was doing. She said she’s been asking a lot of our mutual friends. I didn’t know there were that many mutual ones, but she said no one is talking to her.”

Nicole laughed. “We all stick together. You know that.”

“Which she hated because she couldn’t break through.”

Most of it was coworkers who used to go and have a few drinks together. Liam was part of that group since he was married to Nicole.

“Nope,” Nicole said. “Did you tell her about Laurel?”

“No,” he said. “First, it’s not her business. And second, I figured it’d come off as petty if I threw it out there I was seeing someone.”

“I agree,” Liam said. “Are you going to tell Laurel you ran into Rachelle? Obviously it’s bothering you enough that you came here.”

“It’s pissing me off that it’s even bothering me at all,” he said. “And no. There is no reason to tell Laurel about a five-minute conversation with Rachelle. Though I have to say Connor isn’t what I expected.”

Liam and Nicole both laughed. “You never looked into him?” Liam asked.

“No. I didn’t give enough shits about it,” he said. “But I bet you did.”

“Of course I did. We thought it was funny. He’s a bit of a smaller dude. I think she likes that she calls the shots with him.”

Rachelle liked to be taken care of, but she also wanted to be the one to make a lot of the decisions. He’d have to admit he did not like to hand that off to anyone.

But he didn’t make most of the decisions between him and Laurel.

They talked things out and worked them out for the best for them both.

Maybe it was true that you did try harder when it meant more.

Or it was right.

Everything with Laurel felt right.

“That is their dynamic. Not mine. Listen, I’m sorry I stopped over like this. I’m going to leave.”

“Don’t,” Liam said. “You’re family. Stay for this.”

“You want me to stay here while your wife goes and pees on what is in that box?”

Nicole was looking nervous but smiling at the same time. “Yes,” Nicole said. “I wouldn’t be sweating about this if it wasn’t for you. I’d still be single dating losers. It’s only fitting that you know first.”

“Dude, if it’s positive I would have called you tonight anyway. I would have let you know if it was negative too. You know that.”

He did know that. Liam shared way more than Easton ever did about his relationships.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll stay.”

Nicole picked up the box and ran into the bathroom.

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