Ben’s eyes widened, his voice shaky. ‘You mean like getting a divorce?’
Lauren nodded slowly. ‘Yes, sweetie. It’s a big word, and it can feel really scary. But it doesn’t mean we wouldn’t still be a family. It would just be a little different.’
‘But . . . why? Don’t you and Dad love each other?’
‘We do, in our own way. But sometimes, people need to live apart to be happier. Your dad and I want to make sure we’re both the best we can be for you. And sometimes, that means being apart so we can both be better parents to you.’
‘Would I still see Dad?’ Ben asked quietly.
‘Absolutely. You’d see him just as much, and we’d both still love you just as much. That will never change.’
Ben’s eyes welled with tears. ‘But I don’t want you to split up. I want us to be like we are now.’
Lauren moved around the table and took Ben in her arms. ‘I know, sweetheart. It’s hard to understand, but we’ll make sure you’re okay. You’re the most important person in our lives, and we want to do what’s best for you.’
Ben pulled back slightly. ‘Will I still have my room and all my stuff?’
Lauren wiped a tear from his cheek. ‘Yes, nothing about your room or your things will change. You’ll still have your home, your toys, and everything you love. We’ll make sure of that.’
Just then, their food arrived, and Carol gave Lauren a compassionate look as she set down the plates.
‘I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I still remember her eating the chilli burger. I still can’t forget the look on her face,’ she recalled fondly.
Lauren smiled at the memory. ‘That was one meal she never forgot.’
Carol gave her shoulder a squeeze before walking off. Lauren returned her attention to Ben, who was staring at his cheeseburger.
‘Will we still come here, to Burger Haven?’
Lauren brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. ‘Of course we will. This can be our special place, no matter what. Just you and me.’
A small smile tugged at his lips. ‘I guess it’s okay then.’
‘You, me, and Dad. We’re a team, Ben, and we’ll get through this.’
‘Okay.’
Lauren smiled through her tears. ‘I love you so much. More than anything in the world.’
‘I love you too.’
She kissed the top of his head, feeling a glimmer of hope despite the challenges that lay ahead.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The chatter and clatter of the busy coffee shop seemed to fade into the background as Rain’s mind drifted back to the moment she first laid eyes on Lauren. It felt like a lifetime ago now, but the memory still gave her butterflies in her stomach.
‘Earth to Rain,’ Clara said playfully, setting the coffees down on the table and snapping Rain out of her reverie.
Rain blinked, pulling herself back to the present. ‘Oh, thanks,’ she said, mustering a grateful smile as she wrapped her hands around the warm ceramic mug, letting the heat seep into her skin.
Clara slid into the seat across from her, one perfectly shaped eyebrow arched in curiosity. ‘Okay, out with it. What’s got you looking like someone just told you they cancelled your favourite show?’
Rain let out a heavy sigh, her eyes flicking around the café before settling back on Clara. ‘This is where Lauren and I first met,’ she said, her voice tinged with longing. ‘The second I saw her, it was like . . . like everything else just disappeared. And when she actually called me, I swear my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.’
A knowing smirk played at the corners of Clara’s lips as she took a sip of her latte. ‘Mmm, how very Mills and Boon of you,’ she teased.
Despite herself, Rain couldn’t help but crack a smile at that.
‘Believe me, I would’ve thought the same thing before it happened to me,’ she admitted with a short laugh. ‘But I’m telling you, Clara, it was real. That instant, undeniable connection, like the whole world just clicked into place. I’ve never felt anything like it.’
Clara leaned back in her chair, studying Rain intently. After a moment, she set her cup down with a soft clink. ‘I’m gonna be straight with you, Rain, because that’s what friends do. This whole situation sounds like a whole lot of drama, especially for something so new.’
Rain ran a hand through her tousled hair.
‘Don’t you think I know that?’ she said, a little more sharply than she intended. Catching herself, she exhaled slowly through her nose. ‘Sorry. I just . . . I can’t help how I feel. Lauren’s special. Different. I know I messed up by not being upfront about Fay, but I really thought I was protecting her.’
Clara tilted her head, not entirely convinced. ‘Protecting her from what exactly? The facts? Listen, healthy relationships aren’t built on a bed of secrets and half-truths, no matter how well-intentioned.’
‘I see that now,’ Rain acknowledged ruefully, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her mistakes. ‘I just wish I could go back, explain it all to her properly. But she won’t even give me the chance.’
Taking another sip of coffee, Clara considered this, her forehead furrowed in thought. After a beat, she set the cup down decisively. ‘All right, here’s what you’re going to do. First off, you need to give Little Miss Trust Fund some breathing room to process this atomic bomb you dropped on her. Lord knows the girl’s got enough on her plate right now without you popping up to twist the knife in.’
‘But—’ Rain started to protest, but Clara cut her off with a stern look.
‘I’m not finished. While you’re giving her space, you need to focus on priority number one – finding the kingpin at the hotel so you know Fay’s safe and sound. Once that’s handled, then you can worry about fixing the mess formerly known as your love life.’
Rain opened her mouth to argue, but the words died on her tongue. As much as she hated to admit it, Clara was right. Fay’s wellbeing had to come first, no matter how much her heart ached for Lauren.
