Page 10 of Jake

“You ready to do this today?”

“Yes and no.” Lauren didn’t want to go back and run into Fiona. It was sure to be dramatic.

“Makes sense.” Catherine yawned and looked at the clock. “It’s too early.”

“You don’t have to be up. I can do this on my own.” Catherine had decided she needed to go with her to meet the movers and get her things, but she hadn’t asked her to.

Sipping her coffee, she looked up at Lauren. “I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I would not be a good friend if I just let you go through this alone.”

Lauren gave her a genuine smile. She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve Catherine befriending her but she would forever be grateful. “And I thank you for it. And for this view.”

Lauren walked over and looked out at the skyline before her. They were high enough up that she could see the tops of many of the other buildings. She could also see the park from here, a pop of green amidst the steel and glass of buildings.

“It was the selling point for this apartment.” Catherine joined her at the long wall of windows in her living room. “Did you give my date any thoughts?”

Taking a deep inhale, Lauren blew out her breath before committing. “I’ll do it.”

“Shut up! I thought I had at least another week to wear you down.”

Lauren laughed with her. “Should I take it back so you can try harder?”

“Definitely not,” Catherine said, walking away.

“It can’t be someone stupid rich, though. I want someone closer to my own pay bracket. I don’t want to look like I’m after someone’s money.” Staying with Catherine was all that she could take of that feeling.

“Lauren, you know no one would think that, and the ones that do don’t matter.” Catherine rested her hand on Lauren’s shoulder for just a moment.

“Where are you going?”

“To get my phone and set it up. Make sure you download the app. We’ve got a lot to do today.” Her bedroom door closed behind her.

Lauren shook her head and walked around the open living room toward the kitchen. It was insane that she lived here. The wood floors were beautiful, their grey tones a nice contrast against the white walls.

The insanely comfortable white sectional took up entire living room, facing the fireplace with the TV above it. In the kitchen, there was more gray in the marble and then dark gray cabinets with black barstools.

She quickly washed her cup and dried it, putting it away, and went to finish getting ready. In less than ten minutes, she had a little makeup on and her hair dried and pulled back.

“Ready?” Lauren asked as Catherine came out of her room at the same time.

“Let’s do this.”

Movers were meeting them as they pulled up. Cade had hired a team to pack and move her few things. She had no intention of going through other rooms outside of her own and finding out what she had bought over time; she just wanted a clean break.

“You didn’t tell me other people would be invading my apartment today,” Fiona greeted her with a sneer.

“Yes, I did. I have the text for proof.” Lauren waved her phone at Fiona. “Now, excuse us and we can get in and out.”

“Don’t go in my room,” Fiona warned.

“Why would we?” Catherine looked at Fiona like she was beneath her, not something she’d ever seen her do before to anyone.

Fiona backed away, and Lauren led the three movers to her bedroom. It was unnecessary to have this much help, but it would make quick work. She explained everything that was going and stepped into the hall as they made quick work of packing everything she owned.

The bed and dresser stayed. She’d offered it to Fiona instead of the rest of her rent and she’d accepted via text, thankfully. No one wanted to move that heavy furniture down five flights of stairs.

In less than two hours, Lauren was handing over her keys and saying goodbye to that chapter of her life. Catherine wrapped her arm around Lauren’s shoulders as they walked down the hall.

“Ready for better things?” she whispered.

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