Page 115 of Perfect Distraction
Chapter Twenty-Two
Andrew sat up straight, fear shooting down his spine. That was not a text message a man ever wanted to get from the woman he loved.
He tried to stay calm.
Andrew: Okay, can I come over?
Lauren: I’ll come there.
Fifteen minutes later there was a light knock on his door. Lauren didn’t touch him as she walked in and took a seat on his couch.
Apprehension churning in his gut, Andrew closed the door and sat down beside her, angling his torso to face her. He reached for her hand. “Is something wrong?”
“Are you considering a job in St. Louis?”
Andrew opened his mouth to speak, then stopped. That’s what was bothering her? “How did you hear about that?”
“It’s true?” Her lips dipped slightly at the corners. “Why didn’t you tell me? That’s almost four hours away.”
He nodded. “I know. It’s something Todd mentioned, because there weren’t any expected openings here in Kansas City, and he knows a guy in St. Louis. I did a phone interview and they really liked me. It’s a great opportunity—”
She pulled her hand away, and he stopped. “Did they offer you a job?”
“Yes.”
“What did you say?”
“Keep in mind, this was when we were broken up,” he started.
Lauren closed her eyes. “Just like that, you would leave?”
He scooted closer and put his hands on either side of her face, and she opened her eyes. He gazed into those green depths. “Would you ask me to stay?”
She just looked at him, her hesitation lasting a few seconds beyond comfort.
She wouldn’t ask him to stay?
“Please stay.” Her voice cracked.
Like a pressure valve being released, his insecurity dissipated, and he smiled widely.
“Okay,” he said, and kissed her.
She returned the kiss for several seconds, then pulled back. “That’s it? You’re not going to take a great job offer, just because I selfishly asked you to stay?”
He kissed her again. “Yes and no. Yes, I would do that. But I already turned it down, and that’s why I never said anything. The day you told me about Jasmine, and we got back together, I knew there was no way I wanted to live apart from you.”
A wrinkle formed between her eyebrows. “You shouldn’t have done that. We could have talked about it…”
“After all you went through for your job here? You’re not leaving, and I’m not leaving without you.”
“What will you do, then?”
“I’m not sure yet, but graduation is still months away. I’ve got time. I’ll just find something else until a local DA position opens up, and hopefully they’ll still want me.”
Lauren processed that for a moment, then put her hand on his forearm. “And if they don’t, or if you’re unhappy with what you find, we’ll talk about it, okay? Both of our careers are important.”
He pulled her close against his chest. “Deal.”
