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The silence that follows is one of understanding, not awkwardness. Still, it's Dennis who breaks it first.
"My parents never really forgave me for what happened to Emily," he says, his voice tinged with bitterness. "They think I should've done more. Maybe they're right."
I'm surprised by his vulnerability. The Dennis who had first walked into my life was all professional edges, yet here he is, exposing something raw and personal.
"My mother passed away years ago," I find myself saying, "and my father... he's a drunk. He blames me for everything that's gone wrong in his life, in my life. For him, I'm just a constant disappointment."
Dennis looks at me, really looks at me, and in that moment, we're not just client and lawyer; we're two people with fractured pasts and complicated relationships with our parents.
And while I've felt broken for so long, right now, sitting beside Dennis, it's as if the broken pieces in both of us are somehow fitting together to form something resembling wholeness.
I glance at the clock; it's 11 p.m. already. The day has been so long, yet the evening has flown by.
"You haven't left yet," I say, a note of surprise in my voice.
He smiles, a little sheepishly.
"I guess I haven't. I probably should be going, but…"
"But?"
He hesitates.
"It's been a long time since I've had a conversation like this. It's refreshing, despite the circumstances."
I nod, understanding entirely what he means.
"For me, too."
In the silence that follows, I make a decision. It might cross boundaries; it might be a bad idea. But after everything that's happened today, bad ideas seem almost irrelevant.
"You can stay if you want," I say softly. "The guest room is available. Besides, it’s too late to drive home now, right? You must be exhausted."
Dennis looks at me, and in that moment, something unspoken passes between us. I can't quite put my finger on it, but whatever it is, it's powerful, real, and slightly terrifying.
He nods. "I'd like that, Lauren. Thank you."
I lead Dennis to the guest room, each step echoing softly on the hardwood floor. A sense of loss starts to creep in as if something important is slipping through my fingers.
Maybe it's the vulnerability we've shared; maybe it's the extraordinary circumstances of today. Whatever it is, I can't bring myself to say goodnight and close the door.
"Um, Dennis?" I hesitate, gripping the doorknob for support. "Would you mind sharing the bed with me? Just for tonight? I think it would make me feel... safer."
He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. I can see the wheels turning in his head, his professionalism wrestling with human needs. After a long moment, he nods.
"Alright, Lauren. I understand. I don’t mind."
We walk into the room, the air between us filled with a new, complicated tension. He allows me space to climb into bed first, then settles beside me with a kind of restrained grace.
As I lie there, my mind racing through the day's events, a strange sense of comfort settles over me. Dennis, the rugged, muscular lawyer who unexpectedly stepped into my life, is lying beside me.
And even though we barely know each other, even though we've crossed lines we probably shouldn't have, I feel safe.
And for tonight, that's enough.
Chapter 4 - Dennis
I'm lying in bed next to Lauren, and my mind is a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions. Just a few hours ago, we were client and lawyer, separated by a desk and legal terms.
