Page 28 of Lost Love Found

“It’s too complicated. I already told him we can’t be anything but friends and he agreed, so that’s where we are now. Friends. Forever.” Maeve laughs. She actually laughs at me! I just sit there staring at her gorgeous smiling face because I’m too stunned to do anything else.

“Oh, my love. You’ve got it bad! Pushing him into the friend zone isn’t going to change that.” Maeve looks to Charlie for confirmation of her latest statement.

Charlie shoots me another apologetic look. “Come on, Lainey, you know this could be something wonderful. Why are you pushing him away?” That’s exactly what I’m doing and of course Charlie is the one to call me out on it. “He’s obviously enamored with you. Have you seen his sparkly blue eyes move all over you when you walk into a room?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me and lifts my chin so I can see her eyes.

“No, it’s not like that. I overheard him telling Raf we’re just friends. And that he has some shit to sort through.” I could feel my chin getting wobbly now. Damn it, why am I so emotional these days? “And I just can’t get into another relationship. I wasn’t happy in a long-term relationship, and I wasn’t happy casually dating. And what did I learn from the whole experience? That I had a lot of growing up to do, that I needed to stop looking for someone else to make me happy, and that I wanted to be whole on my own. I think I had my one big love and maybe that’s all we get in life.” I shrug, not wanting to make a big deal out of what I’ve just said out loud.

“You know I think you’re wrong about this. But I won’t push you to do anything you don’t want to do. You deserve to be happy. You deserve it more than anyone else I know.” Maeve reaches for my hand and Charlie places a warm palm on my leg, and we all sit, just looking at one another for a while in quiet understanding. Maybe being in Paris will be good. I can brainstorm how to make this friendship work, how to stop all lusty thoughts of Adam. Because I really do like him, and I would rather be his friend than nothing at all.

“I love you, Maeve. I love you , Char.” I say, reaching out to hug them both. “You know that, right?” I don’t do well with saying goodbye to my people.

“We know, Bon. And we love you.” Maeve grabs my face and kisses my cheek loudly, diffusing the emotional heaviness in the air. “You know, there’s probably a perfect country song about this.” She smiles at me as Charlie scoffs loudly and I’m immediately thankful for their ability to take me out of my spiraling thoughts and for Maeve’s weird love of country music. We all laugh and finish our coffees, talking about what the week is going to look like with filming starting for Maeve and Charlie starting some work for their dad. Shooting will happen in London for 6 weeks, then back to LA to finish at the studio.

We say our last goodbyes and the day goes by in a blur of taxi rides, with a short flight in the middle. Once I reach my hotel in Paris, I immediately feel lighter. First thing’s first: a crepe and a cup of coffee before people watching over a glass of wine. I’m on my second glass of red when my phone dings.

ADAM

Bonjour, ma belle! How is Paris?

Your song is ready. I see you already added one, but what’s your favorite line?

Mine is: “I could spend my life in this sweet surrender”

Oof. You went for it with Aerosmith. Not sure I can top it

fave line from “Crash Into Me” is “I’m bare boned and crazy for you.”

I guess we were both feeling the sappy love songs today.

Hope you have a great first day tomorrow. Call me when you can. Anytime.

I waited to see if he’d respond, but nothing came through, though that didn’t stop me from checking my phone every two minutes for the rest of the time I drank my wine.

Adam didn’t call. And I didn’t want to bother him, so I did my best to just enjoy my first night in Paris. Of course, that meant a fabulous meal, more wine, and a long walk back to the hotel, taking in the city lights. He also didn’t call the next day, though I thought about calling him far too many times.

I spent the first few days doing a lot of walking and last night I went to dinner with some old colleagues who live in the city. I woke up to a string of texts. First up is Maeve.

MAEVEY

Having the best time? You better be.

We’ve been on set nonstop, but the location is gorgeous. You’d love it.

xoxo chat soon

I check Adam’s messages next.

ADAM

Sorry I haven’t called. The days have been long. We hit the ground running.

Maeve is incredible to work with. I’m really starting to see what you mean about her being small but mighty!

Miss you already.

Bonsoir beauté

I send Maeve a selfie of me in bed with a bottle of ibuprofen and water to paint her a picture of how much I enjoyed the wine last night.

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