LANA MASON
Now that things are really starting to get serious between Harry and me, especially after exchanging a few special words with each other this weekend, I'm more anxious than ever about going to Allison's. I wish there was a way we could just barely miss each other, but she obviously can't go to work until I arrive. There's no avoiding or escaping her no matter how badly I want to.
Harry and I haven't discussed how or when we're going to tell her, but I think we're both very aware that it needs to happen sooner rather than later. The guilt is starting to get to me, but it's not just that. Maybe it was fun living this secret life before, but I'm tired of feeling paranoid that we're going to get caught as if we're doing something wrong. I'm sure Allison will consider what we're doing to be wrong, but that's to be expected. The reality is that we're just two people who met unconventionally and fell in love. It's that simple and innocent.
Harry: Morning, darling
Harry: If you don't have to stay at Allison's every night this week, please feel free to come and sleep with me. I'll be happy to have you.
My nerves are somewhat soothed as I read his texts while waiting in line for my morning coffee. I text him back to let him know that I will definitely keep him updated with my schedule and that I might have to take him up on his offer at least once before my name is called by the barista.
"Thank you," I take my overpriced iced latte and raise the opening in the plastic lid to my lips, sipping on my way out of the bustling shop.
On the cobblestone walk to Allison's, I tell myself that today is going to be as amazing as the rest of this week. That's what I always have to tell myself when it's Allison's turn with Jane and everything usually turns out to be completely fine. I breathe deeply in the elevator and repeat that same thing in a hushed tone right before the doors glide open for me.
As if it's liquor, I take another swig from my coffee and say a quick prayer before using my key to get into the apartment. Jane is lying upside down on the couch with her head hanging off and her legs up on the back cushions, watching Bluey in her pajamas.
"Hi, Miss Lana!" She gasps and scrambles out of her position to come and greet me with a hug.
"Hi, sweetheart," I lower to one knee and hug her back, smacking a loud kiss on her shoulder. "How was your weekend with your mommy?"
She tilts her head with a pout, placing her hands on my shoulders. "Mummy is really sad."
I blink at Jane and try to not let the panic set in. She doesn't know, does she? How could she know? Did she go to the restaurant and someone told her? Would they do that to Harry and me? Maybe it was Hayden. Maybe he didn't know who she was. But how could she go to the restaurant if she had Jane? Oh, God. Maybe she went to the restaurant with Jane. Maybe she wanted to surprise him.
"Um..." I swallow and set my bag on the floor, trying to think of what to say.
"Lana?" Allison comes down the hall in a silk robe over a white t-shirt with her blonde waves up in a messy bun. Without being blown out, the ends appear fried and she's not wearing any makeup. Honestly...she looks terrible.
"H-hi," I stutter and force myself to keep looking at her when I feel like I shouldn't be seeing her so unkept like this.
"I'm so sorry, I meant to text you, but, um," she holds her phone up and then she just starts crying. Out of nowhere. Did her parents die? This seems like something much more serious than me and Harry. Plus, I think she'd be livid, not sad.
"Hey, why don't you go pick an outfit out for today, yeah?" I whisper to Jane and tap the tip of her nose. I'm not sure how long Allison has been crying like this in front of her, but I worry that Jane is too young to see her mother in shambles like this. What is she to think when she's just a helpless child?
