But as tragic as the accident could have been, it had also had two very positive outcomes. For one, it had helped mend some long damaged fences with her parents and older sisters; and, more importantly, it had made Nick realize just how much his Angel meant to him.
They were together now, though exactly what that meant Lauren didn’t know for sure. But Angela was comfortably ensconced at Nick’s jaw-droppingly beautiful waterfront home in Sausalito, and it looked like she was planning to stay put for some time to come. Nick had even hired a nurse to look after her upon her release from the hospital, though Angela had insisted she was perfectly all right now. The nurse had been dismissed two days ago, and Angela was determined to return to work on Monday.
Angela rolled her eyes at Lauren’s last remark. “Between you and Nick – that’s exactly what he said, too. Ten more pounds. And the way he’s been stuffing food down my throat this past week I’m shocked that I haven’t already gained twenty.”
Lauren smiled. “Let the man fuss over you, hmm? He does have an awful lot to make up for, you know. Though it seems he’s already made a lot of progress towards that goal.”
“Nick’s been great,” Angela agreed wistfully. “Showering me with attention, making sure I don’t overdo. He’s either cooked dinner or brought takeout every night that I’ve been here. And, well, speaking of that – he wants me to move in here with him permanently.”
Lauren’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you shitting me? Jeez, when that dude makes up his mind about something he does not screw around, does he? I mean, when you were seeing him before you didn’t even know what city he lived in, and now he wants you to move in? Angie, you should have fallen and hit your head a long time ago if this is the way he’s reacting.”
“Gee, why didn’t I think of that?” Angela replied drolly. “But you’re right. Nick seems determined to make up for lost time. I’ve even met his mother – well, on the phone at least. Did you realize his mom is Sheena Sumner, the actress?”
For the second time in less than a minute, Lauren’s jaw hung open in surprise. “No ‘effin way! That woman gave birth to someone like Nick? I mean, no offense, but almost every role I’ve seen Sheena Sumner in she was playing the ditzy blonde in some comedy. And, well, Nick doesn’t really seem like he laughs much, you know?”
“It’s a long story, most of which I’m still learning as we go along,” admitted Angela. “But Nick invited his mother out here for a visit, and I think she’ll be up sometime next month. He’s – well, we’ve both had issues with our families in the past, but I think it’s time to try and change that. Though maybe not so much with his father.”
“I’m really happy for you, Angie,” Lauren told her quietly, giving her hand another squeeze. “You deserve it, especially after all those years of being miserable. And – I swear I never, ever thought I’d be saying this after the hell Nick put you through – I think you should move in with him. Both of you have been alone way too much.”
Angela nodded. “That’s how I feel, too. And it’s actually good timing, since the lease on my flat is up in October. And with Julia moving out of her flat in January, I’ve been thinking about making a change anyway.”
“Hmm. You and Jules both moving out of San Francisco at nearly the same time,” lamented Lauren. “Guess I’ll have to find another place to crash when I’m in town.”
“I’m sure Nick wouldn’t mind if you stayed here,” assured Angela. “It’s a pretty big place as you can see.”
Lauren shrugged. “We’ll see. I don’t want to intrude on you lovebirds. That’s why I only stay at Julia’s place when she and Nathan are at his condo. Or out of town like they are this weekend.”
Her sister and brand new brother-in-law had flown out to Michigan a couple of days ago for an extra-long weekend to see Nathan’s family and celebrate his younger brother’s birthday.
“Doesn’t Nathan have two bedrooms at his condo?”
Lauren wrinkled her nose at Angela’s question. “Yeah, that’s not the issue. What is the problem is that those two are damned noisy in the sack. Jesus, it’s like having a real life porn flick being filmed in the next room.”
Angela laughed. “What’s the matter? Are you suddenly turning into a prude?”
Lauren didn’t reply for long seconds, merely sipping her coffee and gazing out at the million dollar view of the bay from Nick’s back deck. When she did speak, her voice was soft and uncharacteristically somber. “Maybe I just don’t want a constant reminder that everyone else I know seems to have someone special in their life and I don’t.”
Over the course of six weeks or so, it had felt like everyone she knew was pairing up in one way or another. Julia and Nathan had been married at the end of June; a couple of weeks later Chris’s girlfriend Mindy had moved in with him; Ian Gregson and his “forbidden love” Tessa were officially a couple, and had been since her divorce a few months ago; now Angela and Nick were finally back together, and just last night Lauren had received a phone call from Karl that still had her reeling.
Tamsyn, it seemed, was pregnant, and it had been one of her hormonal outbursts that had caused their most recent break-up. But now they were not only back together but married as well – having done so in a simple ceremony at the local courthouse, with only their parents and siblings in attendance.
And as if all that wasn’t enough, Karl had dropped an even bigger bombshell on her.
“When my contract is up at the end of the year, I won’t be renewing it,” he’d confided. “No one else knows yet, not even Ben or Chris, so keep a lid on it until I can break the news. It’s just that with a baby coming, I feel like I want to be here, you know? To help take care of Tam and the kid, and not miss any milestones. I don’t want to be clear on the other side of the world on an assignment when my kid says its first word or takes its first step. And maybe this will finally be the motivation I need to write that book I’ve never managed to finish.”
Lauren had been alternately thrilled for Karl and Tamsyn, and left feeling a little lost at the knowledge he wouldn’t be part of her crew any longer. He had always been like a big brother to her, someone to bounce ideas off of, and they had always had each other’s backs. Even if she had never seen fit to confide in him about Ben.
Angela frowned. “Lauren – that’s crazy. You could have almost any guy you wanted, anytime you wanted. You don’t ever have to be alone. Unless, of course, there’s one particular man you’ve got your eye on and he’s not interested? Which, of course, would make him a complete moron.”
Lauren shook her head. “Forget I said anything, okay? Once in awhile I just get into a little funk and start thinking out loud a little too much. Nothing a night out on the town won’t cure. It is Saturday, after all, so I figure I’ll hit a few clubs, do a few rounds of shooters.”
“Alone?” asked Angela, frowning.
“Hmm. Well, I’m just guessing your man won’t let you go with me, especially since you’re supposed to be in recovery mode. And with Julia out of town – not to mention still in the honeymoon phase with ole Lover Boy – guess I’ll have to go with Plan C – C as in Courtney.”
Angela looked horror stricken. “Not the same Courtney who works in Julia’s office? The one with the green hair who might be the only person in the world who can out drink you?”
“Hey,” objected Lauren. “She might have managed one more shot than I did at Julia’s bachelorette party, but she also passed out cold right after – meaning that I can sure as hell hold my liquor a lot better than she can. And I think her hair is platinum blonde now. Whatever color it is, she’s always good for a few laughs.”