Chapter 56

Lauren's POV

After holding me in a hug for almost five minutes, she finally let me go. My arms dropped slowly, the warmth of her embrace still lingering on my shoulders. It almost felt like she was trying to squeeze all the hesitation out of me until I had no choice but to give in. I exhaled softly and forced a small smile.

“Well, as long as we’re going together, I don’t think I’ll regret it,” I said, trying to convince both her and myself at the same time.

“Of course you wouldn’t,” she replied with her usual confidence, as if she already knew the ending of a story I hadn’t even agreed to live through yet. Then she clapped her hands lightly and turned toward the wardrobe with a sudden burst of energy. “Now, let’s get down to the main issue.”

I frowned and tilted my head. “Which is?” I asked, following her steps as she crossed the room like a woman on a mission.

She glanced back at me like I had asked the most obvious question in the wor