he pulled away, straightening, his expression both resigned and regretful.

suddenly she heard heidi's voice. "there you are! lauren, why haven't you been answering your phone? oh, hi, mark. okay, now i know why you haven't been answering. can we join you? or should we get lost?"

and heidi wasn't alone.

deanna was with her.

heidi's voice was, teasing, the day sunny, everything normal. and yet...