Free Blurred Lines by M. Lynne Cunning Page A

His eyes shone with mischief as Lauren tapped her pen against her chin, her amusement outlined on her face.
    “I meant that you’re persistent enough, you won’t stop if I agree to go out with you one time.”
    “I won’t stop if you don’t either. Humor me, Sarah. One date.”
    A heavy silence fell between them as she searched his eyes for the answer. In them, she saw only determination. He was sure he had her. Lauren, on the other hand, could hear the small voice in the back of her mind telling her it would be wrong, she couldn’t do such a thing to Michael.
    “Dean…” she began, keeping her expression blank.
    “I need to talk to Sarah.”
    Lauren and Dean both broke their eye contact and looked upward. Libby stood there, giving a small wave. “I need to talk to you,” she repeated. “Alone.”
    For the first time, a flash of annoyance was visible on Dean’s face, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. He tucked his notebook and pen into his bag and stood. “I’ll go get us some coffee, Sarah. To give you two some time. Would you like anything at the cafe, Libby?”
    “Nothing for me. Thanks though, Dean.” Libby took an eager step back, giving Dean ample room to get past her and out of the way. Whatever she had to say, it must be important.
    He gave her a curt nod and turned back to Lauren. “I’ll be back. Dark roast, one sugar, one cream?”
    “Sounds lovely. Thank you, Dean.” Lauren set her pen and notepad down, watching him turn and descend the stairs leading down to the front entrance of the room. By the time the door shut firmly behind him, Libby was already perched in his chair, staring at her incredulously.
    “Are you nuts?” she blurted out. Lauren, eyes wide in confusion, answered with a disbelieving chuckle.
    “Last time I checked, no. What are you talking about, Libby?”
    “You’re actually going to turn him down again, aren’t you?”
    Her jaw dropped slightly. “You were eavesdropping on us?”
    “I’m only two rows away, don’t be so surprised. Besides, anyone in this room, no matter where they’re sitting, can tell by the looks on both of your faces exactly what you’re discussing. Blatant chemistry, my dear Sarah. You and Dean have it. So why in God’s name are you denying it?”
    Because I’m married to a good man back in Texas and know I should feel riddled by guilt for the way I’ve treated both Dean and Michael , Lauren thought to herself. The part that frightened her the most was that she didn’t feel the guilt the way she knew she should. What kind of person had she become in the short weeks since moving to New York?
    “Libby, it’s complicated. I’m here to work, not find a date,” Lauren said. “Besides,” she added, “Do we really know each other enough to be discussing this so heatedly?”
    Libby sat up straight and crossed her arms. “Oh, please, Sarah. Fine, we’ll go out for drinks later, giggle like little school girls about all the cute boys, and then braid each other’s hair while we bond. Better?” She glared at Lauren in disbelief. “Really, I thought you were more adventurous than that, Sarah.”
    The words hit Lauren like a ton of bricks. She wanted to be adventurous, take the necessary chances in order to find out who Sarah really was. If even Libby could see that Sarah wasn’t being as bold and tenacious as she thought she could be, how could Lauren ever fully learn from Sarah all she needed to know? Was she taming Sarah and pushing her away by not going out with Dean?
    “I am, I just…” Lauren stammered. Libby almost looked angry, but when she reached forward and touched Lauren’s knee, her touch was only encouraging.
    “Don’t waste the connection you have, Lauren. Seriously. Some people wait their whole lives to meet someone they can connect with on the level you two have. Give him a chance.” Libby’s tone softened, and Lauren found herself nodding in response, unable to form a verbal answer that would be deemed