LanieI opened my mouth, searching for air, but finding none. I’d been reduced to a frantically gulping fish. All I could do was stare at Andrew as the world around us turned apocalyptic.Andrew stared back, his face pale and his features tight. “How have you never met before?” my mother asked from next to me, her voice sounding miles away. I kept my eyes on Andrew, too aware of the pounding in my ears. Did we say something? As in the truth?I gulped, squeezing the sides of my chair. What would my parents say once they found out the man I was seeing was none other than my dad’s long-time friend?Andrew cleared his throat, his eyes quickly jumping to my mother. “I honestly don’t know. It’s crazy.” Again, his gaze slid over to me, the tension in his shoulders unmistakable. “You don’t go by Elizabeth.”He made it sound like an accusation. “No,” my numb tongue responded. “Helena is my middle name, so, you know, Lanie.”Andrew’s chest rose sharply with an inhale. “Right. It’s very nice.

AndrewFingers laced behind my head, I stared at the ceiling above my bed, thoughts running a thousand miles per hour.What were the chances of Bob being Lanie’s father? How come he never corrected me and told me she went by a nickname and not by Elizabeth? Was this moral? Was this a train wreck waiting to happen?Bob had been my closest friend for years. I couldn’t go behind his back and date his daughter. Right?Sighing, I turned to look at the pillow next to me. Every morning I woke up, the bed seemed larger, too spacious for one person. I’d thought Lanie would be sharing the mattress with me the night before, warming not only a bed but a spot in my life that had been vacant for far too long.Still, my body ached for her. It didn’t understand why my damn head hadn’t allowed her to come over.It’s too complicated, I reminded myself as I hauled my ass up. With what happened at the fundraiser and Raven not feeling well, there was too much going on. As badly as I needed Lanie in my arm

LanieThe tiny gong in the yoga room sounded, signaling the start of the meditation period. Sucking in a long breath, I straightened my back and focused on the sensation of my palms on my knees.I can do this. I can meditate for five minutes without thinking about Andrew at all. Wait. Damn. I’m thinking about him. Is he disappointed in me? Should I just tell my parents and get it over with?“Crap,” I whispered.Hopping up, I snatched up my yoga mat and bag and hurried past everyone else sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, and out of the room. In the bathroom, I ran the water as cold as I could take it and splashed it on my face.A knock on the door made me turn, face dripping water droplets on my tank top. “Just a second.”“It’s me,” Erica said through the door. “Are you okay?”Drying my cheeks with a paper towel, I opened the door. “I’m fine.”She arched a brow. “You cursed and then ran out during meditation.”“Meditation is hard.” Taking my bag, which I had since stuffed my mat into,

AndrewThree days and twelve hours. That’s how long it had been since I’d last heard Lanie’s voice.But who was counting?Shutting down the computer in my downtown office, I groaned and leaned back in my chair. It had been days since I last stayed so long at work, but I hadn’t been able to stomach the prospect of going home to an empty house. Being eight o’clock, Karen would have left for the day. Raven was having some big dinner with the rest of the German club, something I had insisted she go to. Just her joining the club had been a big deal.So, left all alone, I’d opted to stay at the office.But now everyone else was gone, and I had run out of things to do.Shrugging into my coat, I picked up my briefcase, snatched up my keys, and left the quiet room. The main area of the floor was equally as silent, everyone else long gone.As I rounded the corner, Jacob, a young intern, jumped and dropped the papers he held.“What are you still doing here?” I asked.“Um, just, I was just leavin

LanieLatte clutched in hand, I stepped around a group of chatting girls and beelined for the table by the window. Judging by the quick stakeout I’d performed upon entering the cafe, it was the best spot. With a round table surrounded by cozy, plush chairs, it also provided a good view of the street.Which meant I’d see Andrew before he saw me.Just thinking about him had my stomach twisting into knots a sailor would have been proud of. The only contact we’d had all week was the sparse text messages on Wednesday night. Even though Andrew had said he wanted to see me, he hadn’t been able to meet until tonight, Friday. Apparently, just like me, he’d been filling up the calendar.I only hoped this meant Raven wasn’t being pushed to the side again. If, after all the work Andrew put into repairing their relationship, life reverted back to its old way, I would feel awful. Like I had something to do with it all.I suppose I did.Taking a careful sip of my latte, I set it down on the table. I