The night had been normal—at least, as normal as things could be.
Larry was stretched out on Lauren’s couch, smirking as he tossed popcorn into the air, trying (and failing) to catch it in his mouth.
“You’re awful at this,” Lauren teased, watching as yet another piece bounced off his forehead.
Larry scoffed. “Excuse you, I am an expert.”
Lauren snorted. “An expert in missing.”
Larry placed a hand dramatically over his chest. “I am wounded by your lack of faith.”
Lauren rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. For the first time in days, things felt easy. Light.
Larry had been through hell recently. She knew that. But tonight, he was trying.
And for a little while, she let herself believe that maybe things were okay.
Then he tensed.
It was subtle at first—his jaw tig
