Lauren was actually having a pretty good day. Her Nan had decided they were going to decorate, to get rid of the ~Max in the house, which made Lauren roll her eyes. But it had meant she got to spend the morning shopping. She'd just come home to change before she needed to go see Poppy, and she was considering popping in to surprise Joey on her way back. Her phone vibrated.
*Text for Lucy* Whit's taken the day off. Guessing she's spending the day with Ryan, he won't have time to come catch up with you, or to meet your boyfriend. You'll be fine.
She quickly replied to Lucy, thanking her for the info. Wondering to herself whether this was the start of them being okay again. Maybe now Lucy had realised how important Lauren & Joey's relationship she was.
Lauren took a big breath in, she hadn't realised how tense the idea of seeing Ryan, or even Joey seeing Ryan had made her. Not that she hated Ryan or anything. It was just a physical fling, it meant more to her than it did to him, and it not working hurt her at the time, but looking back now Lauren knew it wasn't anything special. But she & Joey were good at the moment, settling in to their relationship being public and serious, and getting to know the little things about each other that they didn't know the first time round because they fell too fast. She just didn't want anyone to ruin the section of her life that she was content with.
Lauren was walking through the Square to check in on Poppy, for her mum when she heard her name being called, she groaned but turned around with a big smile on her face.
"Hey. I didn't know you were back", he held his arms out for a hug and she half-heartedly one-arm hugged him back.
"Really? I saw Abi earlier, but never mind. It's good to see you Lauren." She just nodded, "It's good to see you too Ryan. But I kind of" she waved her arms in the direction she'd been walking in, hoping he'd get the hint that she didn't want to stand around all day.
"Sure babe, don't want to make you late for whatever." She smiled at him, relieved it wasn't as awkward as it could have been. "I'll walk you though, so we can catch up?" He raised an eyebrow at her questionly. She sighed. "Sure. I'm heading to the salon."
They walked and quietly chatting, Lauren asking most of the questions, to keep the topic off her. Ryan filling her in on what he'd been up too, and talking about the few updates Whitney'd given him like Janine doing a runner.
Lauren laughed awkwardly "Well this is me here. It was good to see you Ryan" she leaned in to half-hug him. "Keep in touch yeah?" she said half-heartedly.
"Yeah. But maybe I'll see you around before I leave." She just shrugged. "See you Lauren." He winked at her. See you around? Did that mean he was sticking around?