Lauren’s eyes glistened with tears. “I can safely say the same.”

Carly slid her hands into her back pockets. “I can’t believe I’m going home without you. I don’t want to do this. Please don’t make me.” Her own eyes filled.

“I’m sorry.” Lauren touched her chest. “I have to look out for me now, okay?”

Carly nodded. This wasn’t at all what she wanted, but Lauren had a valid argument. Carly had to find happiness with her new place in the world. She had to stand on her own two feet if she wanted to walk in confidence next to Lauren. “But know that I’m not giving up.”

Lauren nodded and opened her arms. Carley moved into them wordlessly. The tears fell hot and free down her face as they held each other. When Lauren took a shuddering breath and released her, Carly took a step back and wiped her wet face with a laugh. “What a pair we are.”

Lauren nodded. “We’ve come a very long way together.”

“And there’s so much more ahead.”

Lauren didn’t seem as convinced, but that just meant it was up to Carly to hope enough for the both of them. She was up to the challenge.

“Take care of yourself and Rocky and this amazing theater, okay?” She ran a dejected hand through her hair because there wasn’t much else to do or say.

Lauren nodded through her tears. “You got it.”

* * *

Watching Carly walk out of her office had been one of the most difficult moments of Lauren’s entire life. Though she knew it was for the best, she wanted nothing more than to accept Carly’s offer and forgive and forget. She longed for Carly, wanted her, and almost abandoned her wits just to have her back.

“Am I dumb? I could have just gone with her, Trip. Maybe I should have.” She sat on a stool in Trip’s impeccably decorated kitchen. She should have hired him to do her place.

He deposited a freshly assembled cheese board between them. “I think you have to trust your instincts more, and they told you it wouldn’t have been a good idea. At least not right now.”

“You’re right. Maybe there’s a time for us. But it’s not this one.” Lauren nodded and took a sip of her second glass of wine. She’d been back in Minneapolis for a week now and had spent each and every evening at Trip’s place, catching up and talking through all she had in her head. “I’m sorry if I’m talking your ear off—I think I’m just shaken up. I didn’t expect her to walk through the door looking and sounding and smelling so wonderfully like…her. God.”