Then she leaned close and asked in a whisper much louder than she thought, “Will your mom like the flower too?”
Lauren looked at the rose in her hand.
“She will.”
“Okay.”
This time Claire guided her back a step.
Maddie waved.
“Bye, chicken lady.”
Lauren laughed through the sting in her eyes.
“Bye, rose girl.”
The nickname pleased her.
She grinned and went with her aunt down the hall.
Ethan lingered one second longer.
“Ten o’clock?” he asked quietly.
“For coffee?”
“For a conversation.”
Lauren looked at the card.
Then at him.
“Ten.”
He nodded once.
“Good night, Lauren.”
“Good night.”
He left.
The hallway went quiet.
Lauren closed the door slowly, keeping one hand on the knob a second longer than necessary, like the apartment might spin if she let go too fast.
Behind her, Denise spoke from the couch.
“So.”
Lauren turned.
Her mother was awake now, eyes open, watching her over the edge of the blanket.
