Page 7 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“I’ll call Josie and see how she wants to do this, but it shouldn’t be an ambush.”
Lauren flinched. “I don’t want to ambush her, not at all.”
“I know you don’t, but I’m afraid that’s what it would feel like if you just come strolling into her bar after the way you left.”
Lauren nodded, eyes downcast. “You’re right. I’ll figure something out, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to get involved just because you know us both. I’m trying to do the right thing here, not cause more trouble for anyone, least of all you.”
“I don’t mind making a phone call to see how Josie wants to handle this. As for the rest…you really do need a lawyer.” She met Lauren’s gaze. They both knew Mia was a lawyer. She could offer to represent Lauren. It would be so easy, a chance to flex her legal muscles, which, honestly, she would enjoy. But she didn’t offer, at least not yet. She needed time to think, to sort out her feelings about what Lauren had done.
“I’m not asking for your help,” Lauren said, lifting her chin.
“No,” Mia agreed.
“I just want to make it right.” Lauren traced a finger through the condensation on her glass.
Mia exhaled. “Let’s talk on Monday before you go to the police.”
* * *
“Oh my God,”Ashleigh screeched, bouncing beside Lauren on the couch.
It was past two in the morning, and they’d just finished watching the second episode of the new season ofIn Her Defense, which had ended with Sam in the shower, crying against the tiles after losing an important case. And yeah, she looked hot with water coursing over her face and the swell of her breasts visible at the bottom of the screen.
But Lauren’s heart ached for Sam. She knew what it felt like to put on a brave face for the world and save her tears to be shed later under the protective cover of the shower.
“Oh, Sam,” Fatima moaned, turning to wrap her arms around Lauren. “You’re breaking my heart.”
Sarah paused the playback as everyone broke into conversation about what they’d just seen.
“Season five is off to an amazing start,” Quinn said, pressing a hand against her chest. “So much great Sam content, and that scene with her and Claire in the boardroom? I almost thought we were going to get a canon reenactment of the conference table scene inSkin Deep.”
“Great chemistry in that scene,” Mia agreed.
Lauren had trouble meeting her gaze after their conversation in the bar earlier. She could hardly believe Mia knew the truth, and she hadn’t turned Lauren in to the police…at least, not yet. In a way, it was a relief that she knew, thatsomeoneknew the truth about Lauren’s past.
Her future felt inevitable now. In a few days, she would either get the charges against her dropped or she would go to jail. Either way, she would end her time on the run and start the next chapter in her life. In the meantime, she was soaking up every moment of this weekend, in case it was her last weekend of freedom.
“Anyone want to keep going and binge all night?” Fatima asked sheepishly.
“I’ve got to head out before I’m too tired to make it back to my apartment,” Mia said, although she didn’t look particularly tired. She looked…softer was the best word Lauren could think of to describe this late-night version of Mia. Her posture was relaxed, her brown eyes less intense.
“I’ll be a zombie tomorrow if I don’t sleep soon,” Ash said with a yawn. “Let’s crash and regroup in the morning. What time are you coming back, Mia?”
“Whatever time you all are up,” Mia said with a shrug. “I’ve got staff covering for me at the café all day.”
“You’re sure you don’t want to stay here with us?” Sarah asked, although Lauren wasn’t sure where Mia would sleep if she did stay. Quinn and Sarah were sharing the bed, Fatima and Ash would sleep on the pull-out couch, and Lauren got the twin-sized air mattress.
“Tempting, but I didn’t bring anything with me to sleep, and anyway, Lola would riot if I’m not there to feed her in the morning,” Mia said, causing everyone to laugh, because they’d all heard stories about her diva cat.
“See you in the morning,” Quinn said with a sleepy smile. “Not too early, though.”
Mia stood from the couch. “I’ll bring coffee and pastries from the café.”
“We love you forever,” Sarah told her, and they all laughed again.
“All right, ladies, have a good night, and I’ll see you in the morning.” Mia’s gaze landed on Lauren, and her stomach clenched, a combination of her body’s automatic response to being caught in Mia’s stare and the knowledge that Mia knew what she’d done.
As Mia picked up her bag and let herself out of the apartment, a cynical part of Lauren’s brain wondered whether she should expect the police to come knocking in a few hours. Surely Mia wouldn’t do that. Would she?
