CASSIE'S COFFEE HOUSE

Lauren picks up her mocha and takes a sip. She sets it back on the table roughly and props her chin up in her hand. "Maybe Alex isn't the weird one," she says.

Courtney tilts her head slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe I'm the reason this isn't working. I've never had good luck with guys -- maybe there's a reason why."

"That's ridiculous, Lauren."

"Is it? I mean, you've practically had to coach me through this whole thing, and I still couldn't hold it together."

"You said yourself that things were going well this time around," Courtney says. "Alex is the one who freaked out on you."

"But maybe he did it because of me. There must be a reason he doesn't want to get close to me. Maybe it's just 'cause I'm me."

Courtney shakes her head. "No, no, no."

"I dunno," Lauren says glumly. She returns to the mocha for a lengthy gulp and stares off reflectively as it glides down, warming her throat.

"Don't start thinking like that, Lauren. It's not you."

Lauren doesn't say anything.

Courtney grabs her friend's hands. "Look at me."

"What?"

"Look at me."

Slowly Lauren brings her eyes up to Courtney's.

"Now listen," Courtney says. "Whatever's going on with Alex is his thing. It's not just you. Don't get all down on yourself."

Lauren exhales slowly, heavily. "Why can't this just work out? I mean ... Everything seems so right about it. Alex and I have such an awesome time together. And then he just pulls these random freakouts ... You know how much I like him, Court."

"Yeah, I do." Courtney squeezes Lauren's hand. "But you've gotta have faith. Either Alex is going to come around or you're gonna find someone who's an even better fit."

She squeezes again. Lauren manages a weak nod, and Courtney can tell that she's not buying it.

One . Two . Three . Four . Five . Six . Seven

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