That evening Andrew trudged up the stairs to his apartment. When he moved into this complex he’d chosen a third-floor apartment, wanting a unit with a balcony. But since beginning chemo, he’d begun to loathe these stairs.

The apartment wasn’t much but was perfect for him while in law school—kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. He’d set up the extra bedroom as an office of sorts and didn’t have an extra bed for guests. It had worked out when his mom and sisters were in town, because he could pawn them off on Jeni and her two-bedroom house.

Though he could have found something cheaper, the location couldn’t be beat—the River Market district was eclectic and fun, full of restaurants, bars, and a huge farmers market that attracted people from all over the city in the warmer months.

He made himself a simple sandwich and crashed on his couch, remote in hand. As he had every time since their dinner together, he thought of Lauren while he scrolled through the documentaries in his queue.

Andrew: Have you seen the new killer whale documentary?

Several minutes passed with no response. Just when he’d decided she wasn’t going to answer, his phone dinged.

Lauren: Watched it last night. Do it.

Andrew: Doing it.

Lauren: Though, I should warn you it was a little fishy.

Andrew: I sea what you did there.

Lauren: Salmon had to say it.

Andrew: You’ve got me hooked on puns now.

Lauren: It wasn’t on porpoise.

Andrew: Let’s just clam down a little bit.

Lauren: Don’t krill my vibe.

Andrew: Eh. When you think of a better one, let minnow.

Lauren: Whale done.

Andrew: Shell yes, it was.

Lauren: Water you thinking now?

Andrew: Damn, I can’t think of any more. You win this one. How was your Monday?

Lauren: Pretty good, actually. Yours? How do you feel?

Andrew: I’m good.

Lauren: You sure?

Andrew: I’m sure. My day was busy, but I like it that way.

Lauren: Me too.

Andrew: Have a good night, hope to see you Thursday.

She didn’t reply, and he tried to think of other things. But tonight, like most others, Lauren Taylor wasn’t far from his mind.

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Andrew: Happy Turkey Day. How was work?

Lauren stared at the message. She was curled up in her favorite navy armchair, wearing an Oklahoma City Thunder sweatshirt and leggings, a documentary about juveniles in the prison system playing on her television.

She hesitated, as she had before responding to all his messages lately. She’d been on edge since her run-in with Gavin last week. Nothing happened that night, she told herself. You didn’t know Andrew was the one meeting you. You stopped it before things went too far. You did nothing wrong. It might not even be wrong.