Page 24 of Lost Love Found

“Oh, the same. Cling to him, run a finger down his chest and call him baby in my most obnoxious voice,” she says this quickly. “And you’d be surprised. He can be very picky! I have a signal. I pull on my left ear when I’m not into the guy. Raf isn’t as subtle. He’s not subtle at all, actually. Usually, he’ll just send me a look when, as he says, a girl is just tooooooo thirsty.” She deepens her voice to sound like Raf at that last part, and we both burst out laughing.

That feels good. Seeing her laugh. Laughing with her. “OK, that’s good. You look out for one another. What else?”

She bites her lower lip, thinking as she looks down at her feet for a second. “Oh! Maeve and I used to share a music playlist, adding whatever song we were loving at the time. In the end, we got this wild mix of music and we both still listen to it, even years later.” She shrugs, looking at me like maybe she’s second-guessing what she just suggested.

“I really like that. Can we start our own playlist?” I mimic her stance, leaning on the countertop, taking another drink and taking in the sight of her in these tight pants and tank top.

“Really? You want to?” She stands up straight, her ponytail bouncing as she does. I nod at her once. “Oh, my gosh! OK. Yes! Let’s do it. I’ll send you one tonight. Is that OK?” Her genuine excitement about this one simple thing is contagious. I may want to be more than friends with Lainey, but if being just friends, as she put it, is what she needs, I’m actually willing to do it. It’s worth it to see her this happy.

“Yeah, that sounds great. We can try to add a song a day for now, so we get a solid list going.” She’s still smiling wide and, unsurprisingly, I smile right back at her.

Our moment is broken when Raf, Maeve, and Charlie storm into the apartment. “Wow, those guys were tough to get rid of,” Charlie says as she plops herself down on a stool. “Good thing Owen is getting here tomorrow. Looks like word is out that River and Maeve are in town for this movie.”

“Yeah, about that, we’re going to have to switch some things around.” Raf has his bodyguard voice on. It’s a little deeper and much more serious than his usual tone. “I’m going to be here with Maeve Owen is going to stay with Adam, so that means you get an apartment for yourself, baby girl.” He quickly glances at Charlie, and she flinches. “Chuck, if you need a room when you visit, there’s an extra in Elaina’s flat.” Charlie’s scowl grows when Raf uses his nickname for her.

“Whoa, wait, why are we leaving Lainey on her own? That doesn’t seem right,” I pipe up immediately, because WTF, Raf?

Raf smiles at me, that sideways smile that tells me he heard everything I didn’t say. “Alright, Lancelot, you can put your shining armor away. This princess doesn’t need your rescuing.” He glances over at Lainey, who has her arms crossed and is giving me an inquisitive stare, her eyebrows lifting high towards her forehead.

“That’s right. I’m not a famous movie star so I don’t need a bodyguard. I’ll be fine.” She stares at me with a glare that quickly melts away into an expression of understanding. Her ability to forgive quickly is something I had noticed about her before. “I’ll be coming and going anyway, so it makes sense that I have my own place. With your hectic filming schedules, we probably won’t even see each other much.”

Oh. Coming and going? Won’t be seeing one another much? Hmm. I don’t like that.

I let out a low growl and try to cover it up with a cough, but Raf definitely hears it. “Fine.” And now I look like a pouty toddler.

Lainey giggles, then reaches up and kisses me on the cheek. She repeats the move almost identically with Raf and walks off. “Thanks, boys. I’ll go pack up and make sure the room is clean and ready for O tomorrow.”

I’m not sure if I love or hate that Raf and I just got the same treatment. On one hand, I like that she felt comfortable enough to kiss my cheek after everything else today. She recovers quickly, that’s for sure. On the other, I don’t want to be forever friend-zoned along with Raf. No fucking way!

* * *

Lainey moves into an apartment on the floor below ours, and I see little of her over the next few days. I wanted to give her space to spend time with her brother, and it looks like he brought her dog, which she’s very happy about. She texted me a selfie of her and Frankie, and I may have looked at it about 100 times already. Per day. We’ve started our playlist, and looking back at our text exchanges this week makes me laugh.

TUESDAY

TORNEROSE

OK, I sent you the playlist. Song number 1 is in honor of your motherland. Enjoy.

“California Love” - classic.

Also, we’re starting with the ‘90s, huh? I like it.

Glad you approve. Looking forward to your contribution!

“Yellow” is such a great song!

Well, we are in Coldplay’s motherland now. Felt appropriate.

How do you feel about a 90’s and 00’s playlist?

How’s Owen liking London? You guys seem to be busy tourists this week!

I feel very, very good about that!

He’s falling in love with London, as everyone does. We went to Tower Bridge today. Did you know there’s a secret chamber down there?

WEDNESDAY

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