Laurent

ESTELLA

Looking back, I can say it was a summer to remember.

I felt things I never thought I could, and had the best vacation ever, despite the rollercoaster of emotions.

And I’m not just talking about Greece, in case you’re jumping ahead.

Remember when I mentioned going to China with Laurent? That was incredible too. There’s something about exploring new places that gets me excited.

Different people, different cultures, different landscapes…

And Laurent was the perfect travel buddy, which made me realize I needed to break up with him. Surprised? Or did you see it coming?

I bet both reactions are pretty common, but I couldn’t tell you which one would win in a debate.

Anyway, while we were in China, having the time of our lives, I realized that I cared too much about Laurent to keep him in a relationship where I wasn’t fully invested.

As long as a big part of me is still hung up on Max (no matter what he does, which is kind of scary, even for me), I can’t really make it work with anyone else.

It’s not that I’m not trying hard enough, but maybe I shouldn’t have to try so hard, if you catch my drift.

I believe relationships should mostly come naturally, and then you figure out how to deal with any problems that come up.

I started both of my relationships (I’m talking about Matt and Laurent here) with a weight on my shoulders that had nothing to do with the guys I was with.

Needless to say, I don’t regret anything, especially when it comes to Laurent. He was the best person I could have lost my virginity to.

But, during our trip, it hit me that I see him more as a friend. A dear, close friend.

But I didn’t have that certain longing for him. The kind that makes a relationship passionate and enduring.

The only sensible thing to do was to let him go. Of course, I didn’t tell him anything while we were in China. I wasn’t about to ruin his dream trip by breaking up with him there.

Plus, like I said, I was having a blast myself.

I didn’t tell him right away when we got back either. I wanted his happiness to last a bit longer, and to be honest, as selfish as it sounds, I didn’t want to lose him completely from my life.

It was bound to happen, and I was foolish for dragging it out, but I wanted to plan the breakup as best I could. I thought I should find the right moment to tell him.

So, one day, I invited him over to my place.

I was supposed to be done with classes by four, but the professor kept us longer to explain more about the group project we had to work on for next time.

It was a group project, and after class, I had to set up a meeting with my team.

Gabrielle wasn’t in that class.

I’m mentioning this because she was home that afternoon. If she hadn’t been, none of what happened next would have taken place.

We would have come home together, and Laurent would have been waiting for me at the entrance.

I would have asked him to sit in the living room, and when I was ready, we would have gone to my room and talked everything out.

But Gaby was home, and she let him wait in my room, long before I got home.

I found him there when I got back.

Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem because I usually keep the stuff I don’t want people to see hidden away.

But that morning, I had left in a hurry, thinking I would have plenty of time to clean up before Laurent came over.

Or like I said earlier, even if we arrived at the same time, I could have let him wait in the living room with a hot cocoa to keep him company.

Obviously, I didn’t, and I left my sketchbook, filled with drawings of Max, out on the bed for anyone to see, in this case, my boyfriend.

You can probably guess where this is going, right? Painfully obvious, I’d say.

“Is this what you wanted to talk about?” Laurent asked me, holding my sketchbook in his hand. “About him?”

He was standing in the middle of the room, looking hurt and upset. I would be too, but seeing Laurent upset was so out of character, I froze on the spot.

I didn’t know what to say to him. Honestly, what excuse could I give that wouldn’t insult his intelligence?

“Come on, Estelle. Tell me,” he pushed, but his usual kindness was gone.

He didn’t turn into a raging monster or anything, but like I said, this wasn’t like him. His voice was hard, and his expression even harder.

“Laurent, I…,” I stuttered, clearing my throat and looking down, unable to say anything more.

“You know what?” He laughed bitterly, gripping the sketchbook before he threw it back on the bed. “You don’t need to say anything. I’m leaving.”

“No, please. I want to talk to you,” I begged, finally finding my voice.

“You want to break up with me, right? You got it. We’re done.”

“Just like that?”

“Yeah, just like that. I need to go.”

And just like that, he left, slamming the front door behind him.

I walked over to the bed and collapsed on it, pushing the sketchbook, which had fallen open, away from me. The last face I needed to see right then was Max’s.

This was not how I had planned it.

Yes, I was going to break up with Laurent because I felt it was wrong to be with him when I couldn’t seem to get over Max, but I didn’t want to hurt him, and I definitely didn’t plan on bringing up Max.

What would be the point? I wasn’t leaving Laurent to be with Max. Honestly, I doubt I’ll ever be with Max.

“You’re one lucky girl,” Gabrielle said from behind me.

“Lucky? He hates me!” I yelled, sniffling loudly.

I didn’t even realize I was crying.

“He doesn’t hate you, Estelle.” She shook her head, coming to sit next to me.

“He’s mad and hurting, and honestly, he’s got every right to be. But he handled it pretty well. Another guy might not have been so understanding.”

“Understanding?” I scoffed, burying my face in my hands.

“Yeah. He was. I’ll say it again. You’re lucky Laurent is a decent guy. I wish I could say the same about the guys I end up with.”

“Maybe you should stop picking jerks?” I suggested.

“But they’re the exciting ones.” She grinned. “Besides, I’m not planning on getting serious with anyone until I find my mate.”

“But I thought…” I started, but my voice trailed off.

“You thought I’d be more rebellious?” She laughed. “I am rebellious, Estelle.

“The whole idea of waiting for your mate and not living your own life before you share it with someone else is outdated and dumb.

“I never dreamed of having an alpha as a mate just to boost my rank. I just want someone who understands my need to be myself and not conform to anything that doesn’t feel right.

“Someone who respects my need for freedom and doesn’t look down on me because I’m an omega, thinking I’m weak.”

“I have to say, those are some pretty healthy desires.” I smiled, wiping my eyes with the back of my hands.

“So, what do you want?” she nudged me gently.

“I don’t know. Less drama, I guess. It’s been a bit much lately.”

We looked at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing.

***

I didn’t see Laurent for the next two months, and when I did, it wasn’t what I expected. He was making out with another girl.

I can’t say it didn’t sting a little, but I was more surprised than anything else.

Especially when I started seeing him with a different girl every time we ran into each other.

I don’t think he did it on purpose or anything because, most of the time, he didn’t even notice me.

Just when I thought I’d never get the chance to talk to him again and clear the air between us, he texted me.

Laurent

I am ready now.

I couldn’t believe my eyes, but I seized the opportunity, and we arranged to meet at the café we used to frequent when we were together.

He was already there when I arrived.

“I’ve had my fun, and I’m good now,” he announced, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

Laurent chuckled too and gestured for me to sit down.

“Good for you,” I said.

“Yeah, I think it was necessary after everything that happened. I needed to regain my confidence.”

“Confidence in what?” I asked, frowning.

“My sex appeal, of course.”

“Sex wasn’t the problem,” I replied playfully after we’d ordered—coffee for him and flavored tea for me.

“So, I was better than the guy in your drawings?” he asked lightly, but I could tell he was serious.

“I never slept with the guy in my drawings. I never cheated on you,” I said sincerely.

“If you were in love with him while we were together, mon ange, then you did cheat on me in a way.”

“I’ve known him my whole life, Laurent,” I countered.

“He came first. So, what was I to you? Just a distraction?”

“No. You don’t deserve to be called that, and it’s more complicated than that anyway.”

After he gave me an encouraging nod, I started telling him my story, leaving out the fact that Max was a werewolf.

It felt strangely freeing to share, and I didn’t feel weird that Laurent was the one I was sharing it with.

I told him everything, starting from the accident that killed my parents and my siblings. That’s where it all began anyway.

I went up to our last meeting, but I didn’t go into details. He didn’t need to know all that. I just had to explain who Max had been to me from the moment I met him.

“Do you understand now?” I asked gently, hoping he would realize that this had nothing to do with him.

“Yes. I could never compete.” He chuckled bitterly.

“I never compared you to him, Laurent.”

“But you never stopped loving him.”

“I tried to stop. But…”

“Girls always fall for the guys that make them unhappy.”

I laughed at that. “Maybe. I don’t know. I was so happy with him when I was little.”

“It’s easy to be happy when you’re little, mon ange. But you’re not a little girl anymore.”

“Can you tell him that?” I joked.

“Oh, yes! Along with everything we did in bed together.” He winked.

“That wouldn’t be a good idea. He’d attack you.”

“Worried about me, are you?”

“Yes, Laurent, I care about you a lot. More than care. I love you. Not in the way we both wanted, but still.”

“Breaking up with you was the hardest decision. I felt like I was leading you on, and you mean too much to me. I hate not having you in my life.”

“Are you going to tell me you want to be friends now?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I thought we were friends too,” I said hesitantly.

“It doesn’t really work like that, you know.” He shook his head.

“Yeah, I just hoped I wouldn’t lose you completely just because we’re not a couple anymore.”

“You won’t lose me. I still want you to do the illustrations for my book.”

“I might have some more drafts ready for you to look at,” I said slyly.

“Are you bribing me with those, mon ange?”

“Not exactly. I brought them as a peace offering.”

“Okay. I don’t despise you, you know,” he said, his hand finding mine and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Thanks.” I couldn’t help but smile.

“I get it, you meant well. That’s why I let you explain. But we’re not quite at the friend stage yet. Especially not close friends.

“But that doesn’t mean I won’t be there if you need me.”

“You’re going to make some girl really happy someday.”

“I plan on it. And when I do, I’ll have you vouch for me as part of my apology.”

“Deal,” I agreed instantly, offering my hand to him to finalize our pact.

He took it and shook, a laugh escaping him.

After that, we shifted gears entirely, and I showed him my sketches, talking over potential alterations.

It felt a bit like our early days together. There was a certain comfort in it, and it was then that I understood what Gaby meant when she said I was fortunate.

Laurent was a treasure. A true treasure!