Page 50 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“Seems like it.” One of Mia’s hands rubbed up and down her back. Her hair was soft against Lauren’s cheek, and she wanted the moment to last forever. “I hadn’t made the connection between your work here and your history as a foster child, but I’m glad it’s been a positive experience for you.”
“So positive,” Lauren agreed. “Like, I feel like dancing around your office right now.”
Mia pulled back, meeting Lauren’s eyes with a smile. “That’s a good thing. You looked so sad, so lost when we first met. I’m glad to see you looking happy.” Her hands were on Lauren’s elbows now, and Lauren’s heart was pounding to be this close to her, close enough to see the way Mia’s gaze drifted—just briefly—to Lauren’s lips.
Her pulse kicked up another notch. “I’m much happier these days.”
“I’m glad.” Mia released her and took a step back.
“You seem happier too,” Lauren said.
Mia leaned her hip against the desk. “I am. I feel more settled in my post-divorce life now. Even though dating has been a frustrating experience so far, I’m still glad I’m putting myself out there.”
“You’ll find someone soon.” Lauren hoped she sounded sincere. Shewassincere. She wanted Mia to be happy, even if she was also hopelessly smitten with her.
“I hope so,” Mia said.
“I have a good feeling about it,” Lauren said with a nod.
Mia held up her hand, showing that her fingers were crossed, and then she walked behind her desk and sat. Lauren took that as her cue to get back to work. With a wave, she headed back to the café. She freshened up the cats’ food and water and began to sweep the seating area. Beth was here, the businesswoman who Mia had been flirting with for as long as Lauren had been working here.
Lauren gave her a friendly smile as she passed her table, sweeping her way toward the back of the room. The cats shed a truly incredible amount of hair. When she’d finished, she put the broom away and headed out to see if anyone wanted anything from the café.
Mia stood at Beth’s table, one hand resting against its surface. As Lauren watched, Beth reached for her phone and typed something in, and if Lauren wasn’t mistaken, Mia was giving Beth her number. Lauren turned her back so she didn’t have to watch.
A minute later, Mia was at her side, her giddy expression all but confirming Lauren’s suspicion. “I did it,” Mia whispered. “I asked her out…and she said yes.”
“Yay,” Lauren whispered back. “I’m so proud of you. Maybe all these other dates were just a warmup so you’d be ready for Beth.”
“Maybe.” Mia looked thoughtful. “Either that, or I’ve built her up in my mind and the date will be a bust. But I’m glad I finally asked.”
“I am too. I can’t wait to hear about it.”
“Thanks, Lauren.” Mia squeezed her hand before she headed to the counter to help with the afternoon rush.
Lauren finished her shift feeling vaguely melancholy about Mia’s upcoming date, but she was on her way to look at an apartment, and it was a really promising lead. If it worked out, it could be perfect timing, because obviously, her feelings for Mia were getting out of hand. It would be torture to share her apartment while she dated Beth.
Several years ago, Lauren had worked a bartending job with a man named Eliot Faraday, so when she’d seen his name listed on a rental application she was filling out, she’d added a little note to say hi and remind him how they knew each other. And she’d gotten an appointment to view the room he was offering for rent.
Butterflies flapped in her stomach as she boarded the subway. This was only the second time she’d made it as far as an appointment to view an apartment in person. She and Eliot had already had a lengthy phone conversation about her felony charge, and he seemed understanding, but she was terrified he would decide to rent to someone less risky.
Since she’d been back in Brooklyn, she’d tried to reconnect with her old friends. She’d had to cut ties when she fled last year with Craig, and it had been devastating to realize that the people who’d once been important to her had moved on without her. Apparently, a felony charge was too much for a lot of people to move past.
It made her even more thankful for Mia, but all the same, it was time for Lauren to find her own place. As she pressed the buzzer on Eliot’s building, she hoped she had found it. He came to the door looking much the same as she remembered, with short brown hair and a goatee, his expression friendly.
“Hi, Lauren. Small world, huh?”
“It sure is,” she agreed.
“Come on up.” He motioned her inside. The building was fairly run-down, and the hallway was dark and musty smelling, but it was affordable. Eliot showed her into an apartment on the third floor, where a tall Black man with dreadlocks stood to greet her.
He extended a hand. “Tariq.”
“I’m Lauren. Nice to meet you,” she told him. Eliot had told her that he and his boyfriend held the lease for this apartment. They rented out the two spare rooms to help afford the rent, something many New Yorkers did in this notoriously overpriced market.
Eliot showed her around the main living space, which was honestly much nicer than she’d been expecting, with bright white walls and wood floors. The room he was looking to rent was barely larger than a closet, but it would be hers, and that was all that mattered.
“What do you think?” he asked.
