Page 66 of Jake

Lauren nearly choked. “Wh-what?”

“Every weekend we are bombarded with something or another happening. Let’s get away for 2 days and go on do not disturb.”

She tried to gauge how serious he was and then didn’t know how to respond when she determined he was very serious.

“We can do that here.”

“Clearly not. Every weekend something happens.” He turned to face her. “Come on, what else did you have to do?”

“I mean, nothing, but I didn’t plan for this. I don’t have anything packed, or a passport, so like, where would we go?” Her words came out as a rush.

Jake tilted his head, studying her. “If you don’t want to, you can say no. I’m not going to be mad.”

“I know you wouldn’t. I just am surprised. I’ve never taken a last-minute trip.”

“Never?”

“I’m poor. We have to plan for this type of thing, save money. It’s a big deal,” she jokingly reminded him.

“Stop calling yourself that. You aren’t poor. I’m paying, so let’s be spontaneous. Let’s just leave all the nonsense behind.”

“I mean, I think we already had our event of the weekend.” She brought her hand up to her hair, twirling one piece that hung down, a nervous habit that she’d nearly stopped. “You know what? Screw it, let’s go.”

Jake grinned and it lit his whole face up. She’d say yes every time if that was the reaction she got. He looked at her like she made his whole life complete.

“Really?”

She nodded. “Really.”

“Wait here, I’ll be back in a minute.”

He took off, going into his office and shutting the door. She grinned and pulled her phone out of her purse to tell Catherine she really wouldn’t be home all weekend.

Catherine: That’s amazing! Enjoy!

Lauren: What if I didn’t pack the right stuff?

Catherine: Then he’ll get it for you.

Lauren: I don’t want him to spend money on me like that.

Catherine: Girl! He is buying a whole ass trip. A dress or bikini, hell, a whole new wardrobe won’t bankrupt him. Let the man spoil you for a change and don’t fight him.

Lauren: That was aggressive.

Catherine: Well, nice wasn’t working.

Lauren: Ugh! Fine.

Catherine: Good, and when he asks you to live with him, do it.

Lauren: Wtf?

Catherine: He’s going to ask. It’s a feeling, do it. Who cares what anyone but you and him think? You love him, he loves you, so what else matters?

Lauren: The fact that you have no idea how he feels about me.

Catherine: Yes, I do. It’s obvious. I noticed you didn’t deny it though . . .

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