Lauren beamed a little less than usual. “No, it’s not that. I wasn’t even sure you’d be back yet. I’ve been playing referee between my parents for the past few hours and just needed to see someone I knew would lift my mood.”
“Wait, and you chose this guy?” He pointed at himself self-deprecatingly.
She smiled at him as she sank into the sofa. “I don’t know, Craig. My parents are a little jaded. A little fake, I guess. I don’t feel like I’m anything like either of them. Just further proof that I’m adopted, I guess.”
He chuckled nervously, her last statement having caught him off guard. He wasn’t sure if she was joking or not, but he knew now wasn’t the right time to ask.
She tilted her head in a kind way and looked at Craig. “I just need a little more authenticity than they can provide.”
