Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Before long, Lauren and the proud, pouty Francesca stepped out from around the corner. Both of their faces were flushed pink, and Andrew could not help but wonder what they had been whispering about. Francesca cast a shy, lingering glance at Andrew, her eyes shimmering with a soft, embarrassed sparkle. "Well, Nyla, you be sure to rest up, okay? I'll visit you again soon."

Then, she turned to Andrew, gave a small wave, and said, "Andrew, I'm heading back to the hospital. Bye!"

With that, she swished her ponytail and walked off, leaving Andrew to watch her retreating figure. He shifted his gaze toward Lauren and asked, "What were you two gossiping about back there?"

Lauren giggled. "Oh? Do you really want to know? Lean in."

Andrew bent down slightly, and Lauren cupped her hand beside his ear, whispering, "I was telling Fran to go ahead and give herself to you... so you can enjoy yourself."

Andrew's expression froze as black lines practically formed across his forehead. "Excuse me, Ms. Rhodes? If anyone's supposed to 'give' me anything, shouldn't it be you?"

Lauren pouted playfully. "Well... I can't right now. It's complicated. But I already told Fran that if you need anything, she's ready to step in."

Andrew groaned, rubbing his temple. "You two really think I'm that desperate?"noveldrama

Lauren crossed her arms and smirked. "Oh really? If you're not desperate, then why did you already have a wild night with Fran?"

Andrew's stomach sank. He immediately realized that Francesca must have told Lauren everything about what happened at the Aicker residence that night.

"If I told you that nothing actually happened between us, would you believe me?" he asked, spreading his hands in surrender.

Lauren's eyes widened in surprise. "I trust you wouldn't lie to me, but Fran was so sure you two... you know... did it."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Dr. Lloyd, you're not planning to just... use her and then walk away, are you?"

Andrew let out a long sigh. "It's not what you think. Come on, I'll explain it on the way."

He opened the car door, and Lauren hopped in. They drove toward Glorious Pharmaceuticals, where Stephen had called earlier, warning that someone was causing trouble and asking Andrew to come by and handle it.

Andrew was unsure who it was this time. However, if someone wanted to cause him problems, he was not about to back down.

Lauren sat there with her jaw hanging open. "Wait... so you're saying you didn't actually take Eran that night? You just... used an alternative method?"

Her cheeks turned crimson as she held up her index and middle finger in a suggestive gesture. Andrew's jaw tightened, and his eye twitched slightly. "What else did you think happened?"

"So, as I said, nothing really happened between me and Fran. Not the way you two imagined." Lauren slapped her thigh and groaned. "Andrew, you idiot! You had the perfect opportunity! Why didn't you just... go for it?"

Andrew's face twitched again.

bet

"You're absolutely right. I should've just thrown caution to the wind and gone all in with Francesca that night. Totally regret it now."

Lauren burst out laughing. "You're such a bad liar. I know you better than that. You're too much of a gentleman."

"But this complicates things," she added, growing more serious. "You didn't sleep with her, but Fran thinks you did. What are you going to do?"

Andrew shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road. "Easy. I'll just tell her the truth. It's not like it's a big deal." Lauren immediately shook her head. "No way. You can't tell her."

Andrew frowned. "Why not? What's the big deal?"

Lauren gave an exasperated laugh. "Seriously? Why else? That girl's already head over heels for you."