Chapter 16

Lauren's PoV

This is awful! I hate it here. I mean I know it's only been a couple of days and Julia keeps saying I just need to give it time, but I'm miserable. It's really not even the fact that I'm in New York or that I don't like the job, because I do. What I can't stand is that he's not here. That I can't share all of this with Joey. Being with him would be so much better than this stupid job. It's mostly just commercial work anyways, not what I really want to be doing. I mean I guess it pays the bills but... Oh my god why did I do this. Joey has feelings for me and I just Left him there. I feel so awful. Did I make a mistake?

I tried to push the thoughts from my mind and headed into work.

"Hey Lauren. How's it going today?" JD asked.

It took me a little bit to realize what he had said. I was still thinking about Joey. "What? Oh... um okay I guess." I replied.

"You guess? You've been guessing you felt 'okay' since you got here. What's going on? Don't you want to be here? Because I've got plenty of other people who would kill to be in your position."

I started to cry. It wasn't JD's fault really, it was just that what he said brought out all the emotion I had been holding in the past few days. "Um, could I talk to you in private?" I asked him through sniffles.

"Uh yeah sure" he said. He looked confused and concerned all at the same time. WE walked back to his office.

"So what's up? I really didn't mean to sound like an asshole back there. I didn't know it would make you cry" he said.

"No don't worry about it" I told him. "Your words didn't make me cry. They just made me realize something that did make me cry."

"Let me guess" he started. "You realized that moving from Chicago was a mistake and that New York really is too big for you and you want to go back home?" He said this as though it happened often.

"Well sort of" I said. "I do think that coming here was a mistake. Not because New York is too big or anything, it's just... Well you see, I had something tying me down in Chicago and I abandoned it. I think it would be better for you and I both if I went back to Chicago." I hoped he wouldn't be mad, but I basically just realized I was in love with Joey. How could I stay here when he was there?

"Alright I get it" he said. "It will be a shame to see you go. You really are a true talent. But, if I'm being honest, I could tell your heart wasn't really all in this. I think you're right. We'll both probably be better off if you went back."

"Thank you for being so understanding. I'm sure it's not lovely to have me bailing on you, but I've got to get back. And soon. Thank you so much for this opportunity. Under different circumstances I think this could have worked out really well."

"It was a pleasure working with you" he said. "If you're ever back in the city, give me a call."

At that I walked out of the building and caught a cab back to my hotel. I had to find a flight back to Chicago as soon as possible. When I got back, I started searching immediately. I found a flight for that evening at 7 and booked it.

The waiting seemed to take forever, but I managed to make enough time pass and soon enough I was boarded on the plane. I decided to text Julia before we took off.

"Hey Julia. I need you to pick me up at the airport at 9 please. See you soon. Love you." A few moments after I hit send, we were asked to power down all large devices and turn our phones to airplane mode. Hopefully Julia would be able to get me.

I put my headphones in and eventually fell asleep. I woke up to the announcement saying we were beginning our descent. I realized then that I hadn't even though about what I would say to Joey once I saw him. What if he was so heartbroken by what I did to him that he didn't even want to talk? No, I can't think like that. Just tell him it was a mistake to go to New York and leave him there and that you're back and all you want is to be with him.

We landed in Chicago and I turned on my phone as soon as they said it was okay. I had a bunch of messages from Julia. Mostly they were along the lines of "What?!" "What do you mean?!" "LAUREN ANSWER ME!!!" After quite a few of those though, there was a "Oh I guess you're probably flying right now." That was followed by "Call me as soon as you land. I'll be waiting at baggage claim."

I dialed her number and called her as I walked to retrieve my luggage. She was super confused, but then super excited. I hung up when I saw her standing there waiting for me. I ran over and gave a huge hug. She helped me get my bags and then we were driving.

"So why did you come back?" she asked.

"Julia, I think I'm in love with Joey." She nearly drove us off the road when I said this.

"WHAT?!!! Oh my god I knew it. This is so great! Oh my god! When are you going to tell him?" She could hardly contain her excitement.

"Well, actually, I was hoping you could take me by his place now. I want to tell him as soon as possible."

"Yeah no problem" she said, "Only he's staying at Brian's right now. I'll take you there. He was pretty upset by what happened and he needed to have someone around."

Oh no. He was so hurt that he couldn't even bear to stay by himself? "Julia?" I asked. "You don't think he hates me do you?"

"Of course not Lo. He was just a little hurt and needed some comfort. Everything will be fine.

I nodded and we drove on to Brian's place. I couldn't believe what I was about to do.

Joey's PoV

These past couple days have been so rough. I miss Lauren so much. Maybe I should call her. No. That would be stupid. She would call when she was ready to talk. I tried to turn my attention back to the movie Brian and I had been watching. He had gone upstairs a little while ago. I tried to continue the movie, but my eyes were drooping and I was dozing in and out. Suddenly I was jolted awake by a knock on the door. Must be Meredith. Who else would be coming this late? I opened the door and was completely shocked by what stood before me.

It was Lauren.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" she asked.

"No... not at all" I was still so confused. "What are you doing..." She grabbed me and hugged me. It felt so good to have her back in my arms again. It's like nothing had changed.

We pulled apart and then she started talking. "Look Joey, I am so incredibly sorry for the pain I must have put you through. It wasn't easy for me either, but I know I hurt you. Going to New York was a mistake. I told you you were too late, but really you weren't. The minute you said you had feeling for me, you were my reason to stay. Even if you hadn't asked me to stay, I still should have. Knowing what I had left here kept me from putting all my effort into my work. I explained that to JD and we both agreed it would be best for me to come back home. To you. And so here I am... I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course I can Lo. Listen, I know before you left I said I had feelings for you, but when I watched you walk away... I... well see... I think. I think I might be in love with you." I looked up to see her wide eyes looking at mine. "I know that might seem fast and I don't want to risk losing you again and..."

I was interrupted by her lips on mine. I felt the electricity pulse through me as I realized what was happening and began to kiss her back. Her lips were so sweet and soft and I never wanted it to stop. I could finally see the fireworks everyone was talking always talking about. After what seemed like forever, but somehow too soon, we parted lips. I looked down into her glimmering eyes and smiled.

"Jo," she said. "I think I'm in love with you too." I couldn't believe it. She felt the same! This was amazing. I gave her another small, soft kiss.

"Why don't we get back to my apartment?" I asked. Not meaning any funny business, I just wanted to be alone and share this special moment with her. She took my hand in agreement and we walked out the door with her head resting against me. Everything was right.

Lauren's PoV

I can't believe I'm doing this. I knocked on the door. He answered looking shocked so I gave him big hug and then explained everything. I told him how big of a mistake it was for me to leave and that I hoped he could forgive me.

"Of course I can Lo. Listen, I know before you left I said I had feelings for you, but when I watched you walk away... I... well see... I think. I think I might be in love with you" he said. My eyes got wide with excitement as I stared into his "I know that might seem fast and I don't want to risk losing you again and..." Before he could finish what he was saying, I pressed my lips to his. He hesitated at first but before long, he was kissing me back with just as much passion. The taste of his lips and the feeling of him holding me were everything I imagined and more. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Eventually though we had to stop kissing and we pulled apart.

I looked him and said "Jo, I think I'm in love with you too." A big smile spread across his face and then he leaned in and kissed me again softly.

"Why don't we get back to my apartment?" he asked. I took his hand in mine and rested my head on his shoulder. We walked out into the night just like that. Everything was right.