The Interview: New York & Los Angeles Part 2

by Sandi Lynn

  “YOU DID WHAT?!” he yelled. “You adopted a cat without talking to me about it first?”

  Anger spread across his face.

  “I didn’t have a chance to talk to you about it. I was walking past the pet store and she was staring at me in the window.”

  “For fuck sakes, Laurel. I don’t like cats and I’m allergic to them! You know that!”

  “She’s hypoallergenic, so you’ll be fine. And how can you not like her? Look at that sweet face.” I pouted as she stared at him and meowed.

  “No! Shit! I can’t believe you brought a cat into my house without discussing it with me!” He ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Your house? I thought this was OUR house.” My voice raised.

  “You know what I mean. I’m sorry, but she has to go back. I don’t want her here. And what the hell is that?” He pointed to her cat tower.

  “That’s her cat tower. She loves it, and she’s not going back!” I held her against me. “If this is the way you’re behaving over a cat, I’d hate to see how you’d react when we have kids.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Wyatt

  I couldn’t believe she just said that.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” I shouted.

  “Nothing is wrong with me! Just hold her, Wyatt. Please,” she begged.

  “No. Get that cat away from me! I told you I don’t like cats and for you to bring one into this house when you knew that really pisses me the fuck off! You hate snakes, so what would you do if I brought one home and introduced it as our new pet and let it roam the house?”

  “There’s a big difference between a snake and a kitten!” she shouted.

  “The point is I would never do that to you, Laurel! God, I seriously can’t believe you did this.”

  “You’re being ridiculous, Wyatt. She’s just a kitten.”

  “I want her gone by time I get home from work tomorrow. Do you understand me?” I pointed at her.

  She stood there with tears in her eyes, and for the first time, I didn’t care. She infuriated me. She picked up the cat and stomped up the stairs. I walked over to the bar and poured myself a double scotch, downing it within seconds. How the hell did she think it was okay to do what she did without discussing it with me? My phone rang in my pocket, and when I pulled it out, it was from a number I didn’t recognize.

  “Wyatt Coleman speaking.”

  “Wyatt, it’s Rori LeMay. Please don’t hang up.”

  “Rori. You still have my number?” I asked with irritation.

  “Yes, and I’m sorry to bother you, but I thought you should know that your psycho fiancée came into my shop today and threatened me.”

  “What do you mean she threatened you?”

  “She threatened to use her connections to destroy my career and everything I worked so hard for.”

  I stood there, shaking my head.

  “I’ll have a talk with her. Do me a favor and delete my number.” I ended the call.

  I downed one more shot of scotch and went upstairs to confront Laurel. When I opened the bedroom door, she was under the covers sound asleep with the cat curled up next to her. This conversation would have to wait until tomorrow.

  I stayed in one of the guest bedrooms, tossing and turning the entire night. I took a shower in the guest bathroom, and when I went into our bedroom to get my clothes, I noticed Laurel wasn’t there. Walking downstairs, I found her in the kitchen, sitting at the island and drinking a cup of coffee.

  “For fuck sakes, why is that thing on the counter?” I angrily spoke.

  “She’s not a thing. She’s a kitten.”

  “Whatever. Get her off the counter now.”

  She got up from the stool, grabbed the cat, and started to walk away without even looking at me.

  “Stop!” I commanded. “Rori LeMay called me last night. Did you threaten to destroy her career?”

  She stopped, put the cat down, and slowly turned around and faced me.

  “I did.” Her brow arched. “I told her that if she messes with Hannah’s business again, I will destroy her,” she spoke in a firm and authoritative tone.

  “You just couldn’t leave it alone, could you?”

  “She is a manipulative nasty woman who needs to be taught that she can’t go around destroying other people’s businesses or lives.”

  “I’m so disappointed in you. You’re really testing my love right now.” I pointed at her.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way.” She turned and walked out of the kitchen.

  I took in a deep breath and placed my hands on the counter.

  ****

  Laurel

  I felt as if my life was spinning out of control, and the worst part was, I didn’t care. I waited for him to leave, and when he did, I picked up my phone from the nightstand and called Bella.

  “Good morning,” she answered in her chipper voice.

  “Hey, sis. Listen, can you do me a favor?”

  “Sure. What is it?”

  “Are you going to be home today?”

  “Yeah. I have some studying to do. Why?”

  “I’m going to come over and bring something to you.”

  “Okay, sure. What is it?”

  “You’ll see when I get there. I’ll be there soon.”

  I hurried and got dressed, threw my hair in a ponytail, grabbed Coco Chanel, and hailed a cab to my sister’s apartment. When she opened the door, she took one look at Coco Chanel and melted.

  “Oh my God!” She took her from me.

  “Is it okay if she stays with you for a while?”

  “Laurel, what’s going on?”

  I stepped inside her apartment with the litter box in one hand and a plastic bag in the other.

  “I bought her yesterday and Wyatt is throwing a fit. He hates cats and he’s allergic. I tried to tell him that she’s hypoallergenic, but he doesn’t care. We got into a huge fight and he slept in the guestroom last night.”

  “Oh, sis, I’m sorry.”

  “I just need to work some things out. So, if she could stay with you for a while, I’d appreciate it.”

  “Of course she can stay with me. Oh my God, I love her already. She’s so fluffy and cute.” She held her up.

  “Thanks, Bella. Her name is Coco Chanel.”

  “Very fitting.” She grinned.

  “Here’s her litter box. I’m sorry, I forgot to bring the litter.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I can get some. There’s a pet store right around the corner from me.”

  “And in this bag is her cat food and some toys.”

  “Hey, are you okay?” she asked with concern.

  “I’m fine. Thanks for doing this for me.” I hugged her.

  “No problem, sis.”

  “Do me a favor. If you talk to Wyatt, don’t tell him I was here.”

  “Sure. I won’t. I’m really starting to worry about you.”

  “Don’t.” I gave her a small smile. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Laurel

  When I got back to the penthouse, I called Eric.

  “Laurel, where are you?”

  “Hey, Eric. I’m not feeling good today, so I won’t be coming in.”

  “Where’s that article I told you I needed last night?”

  “I fell asleep really early. I’m sorry. Listen, I have to go.”

  “Laur—”

  I ended the call, packed a bag, and hailed a cab to the airport.

  “How can I help you?” The nice woman behind the ticket counter smiled.

  “I need a ticket for the next flight out to Los Angeles.”

  “Our next flight departs in two hours. We only have one seat in first class available or two seats in economy.”

  “I’ll take the first class, please.”

  Once she handed me my ticket, I went through security and headed to my gate. I hadn’t eaten a thing since yesterday and I was feeling a little lightheaded, so I stopped
at the Metro Burger bar and took a seat at a table. When I pulled out my phone, I noticed I had three missed calls and three text messages from George.

  “I’m fine. Just not feeling well. I’ll talk to you soon.” I turned off my phone.

  If I even tried to explain to him what I was doing, he’d tell Eric and Wyatt out of concern and I couldn’t have that. I ate my burger and fries and headed to my gate. As soon as I boarded and took my seat in first class, I stared out the window of the plane, wondering what the hell I was doing.

  “Laurel?”

  I turned my head and saw Dr. Jamieson Finn standing over me.

  “Jamieson?” I asked in shock. “What are you doing here?”

  “Better yet, what are you doing here?” He smiled as he took his seat next to me.

  “I’m going to Los Angeles to visit Craig.”

  “I’m heading home myself. Looks like we’re seat mates.”

  “How long were you in New York for?”

  “Just a couple of days, and both those days were spent at the hospital teaching a class full of interns.

  “Which hospital?”

  “Mount Sinai. I have working privileges there and they occasionally call me if I’m needed. Are you flying to Los Angeles alone?”

  “Umm. Yeah.” I looked down. “It’s a little complicated.”

  “Everything okay with you and Wyatt?” He looked at my finger and saw I wasn’t wearing my ring.

  “I don’t know.” Tears started to fill my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  I reached for my purse, took out the bottle of Motrin, and shook four of them into my hand.

  “May I ask why you’re taking those?”

  “Headache.” I popped them into my mouth and chased them down with water.

  “Usually two does the trick.” He smiled.

  “Not for the headaches I’ve been having lately. Four doesn’t even really help.”

  “Are they migraines?” he asked.

  “I don’t really know. Possibly. All I know is that, most of the time, my head feels like it’s going to explode. I’m sure it’s from all the stress I’m under.”

  “How long have you been having these headaches?” he asked.

  “About a month. I mean, I had been having slight ones for a few months, but this past month, they’ve been getting worse.”

  It was getting hot on the plane and I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, so I pushed my sleeves up and Jamieson glanced at my arm.

  “What happened here?” he asked.

  “Just me being an idiot.” I rolled my eyes. “I was pouring coffee into the cup and I missed and poured it on my arm.”

  “I see. Can I ask you something, Laurel? And I will totally respect you if you tell me it’s none of my damn business.”

  “Sure.”

  “Why aren’t you wearing your engagement ring? Did you and Wyatt break up?”

  “Why? Are you interested?” I smirked. “Just kidding. I don’t know if we did or not. We got into a huge fight last night over a cat and it continued into this morning about something else. He told me that I was really testing his love for me.”

  “Over a cat?” His brow raised.

  “I bought a kitten without discussing it with him. He hates cats and he’s allergic to them.”

  “Then why would you buy one?” His eye narrowed.

  “I don’t know. I was walking past the pet shop and I saw her in the window and I had to have her. She’s hypoallergenic, so Wyatt will be okay as far as the allergies are concerned.”

  “But you knew he didn’t like cats, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And you had no intention of getting a cat at any other time?”

  “No. I just saw her and bought her. When he got home, he screamed and yelled and told me she was to be out by the time he got home today. He slept in the guestroom all night, and when he got up this morning, he started yelling at me about a threat I made to someone.”

  I continued my story about Rori LeMay and he sat there and intently listened to me.

  “So I took the cat to my sister’s apartment, packed a bag, and hopped on the next flight out to Los Angeles.”

  “And Wyatt doesn’t know you left?”

  “No. He’ll find out when he gets home tonight.”

  “So, you never planned on flying to L.A. today? It was just an impulsive decision? Like the cat?”

  “Yeah. I guess it was. I’m tired and I just need some time away from everyone. As much as I love talking to you, I really need to close my eyes for a while and try to calm this headache.”

  He placed his hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “Sure. Get some rest.”

  We landed in Los Angeles and Jamieson offered to drive me to Craig’s restaurant. While we were sitting in the car, he took out his script pad, wrote something on it, and held it up.

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “A prescription for those headaches you’ve been having. But, I need you to do me a favor first before I give it to you.”

  “What?”

  “I want you to come to the hospital tomorrow for an MRI. I’ll schedule it and text you the time.”

  “An MRI? Why?”

  “Because I think you should get those headaches checked out. Maybe we can find out what’s causing them, and I can treat them better.”

  “I’m sure it’s all the stress I’ve been under.”

  “It probably is, but isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?”

  “Can’t you just give me the script and we’ll call it a day?” I smirked.

  “No. I’m going to hold on to it until you get the MRI. Did the Motrin help your headache?”

  “Not really.”

  “Well, what’s on this script will, so the call is yours. No MRI, no pills.”

  “And those pills will take my headaches away completely?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Fine.” I sighed. “I’ll come in for your stupid MRI.”

  “Good girl.” He smiled. “Give me your phone number.”

  I rattled it off as he typed it into his phone. When we arrived at Rosie’s, I gave him a hug and thanked him.

  “I’m happy we were on that flight together.” I smiled.

  “Me too, Laurel. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were using the MRI as an excuse to see me again.” I winked before shutting the car door.

  I wheeled my suitcase behind me into the restaurant and was stopped by the snooty hostess who was no longer snooty to me.

  “Laurel.” She smiled. “Welcome back.”

  “Thank you. Is Craig here?”

  “Yeah. He’s in the kitchen. Want me to get him for you?”

  “No. If it’s okay, I’ll just go back there.”

  “Sure. Go ahead.”

  “Is it okay if I leave this up here?” I pointed to my bag.

  “Of course.”

  I walked through the restaurant and entered the kitchen. Craig turned around and a shocked expression crossed his face.

  “Laurel! What are you doing here?” He brightly smiled.

  I didn’t say a word. I couldn’t. Nothing would come out. So, I just stood there and stared at him. He walked over to where I stood with a sympathetic look and wrapped his arms around me.

  “What’s wrong?” he whispered in my ear.

  “Everything.” Tears filled my eyes.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Wyatt

  By time I had gotten home from the office, it was seven thirty. I hadn’t talked to Laurel the entire day and I wasn’t sure what I was going to walk into. I felt bad for what I had said to her this morning, and as much as I wanted to apologize, I just couldn’t justify her actions.

  I stepped off the elevator and set my briefcase down in the foyer. I walked through the living room and into the kitchen and Laurel wasn’t there. I went upstairs and found she wasn’t in the bedroom either. Maybe she was working late.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and tried to call her, but it went straight to voicemail.

  I went back downstairs, walked over to the bar, and poured myself a drink. I wondered if she was with George, so I decided to give him a call.

  “Hey, Wyatt,” he answered.

  “Hi, George. Hey, is Laurel with you by any chance?”

  “Umm. No. She’s not home?”

  “No, she’s not.”

  “She didn’t come in to work today. She texted me and said she wasn’t feeling well. Eric called her and she told him the same thing. I sent her a few text messages, but she never answered them.”

  “I just tried to call her, and it went straight to voicemail,” I spoke with worry.

  “Is everything okay, Wyatt?”

  “I’m not sure. Listen, I have to go. I’ll give you a call when I find her.”

  Panic started to course through my body. I looked around and didn’t see the cat, so I went into the kitchen and saw that her food bowl, bag of food, and all her toys were gone. Walking into the utility room, I noticed the litter box was gone as well.

  “What the hell are you doing, Laurel?” I spoke to myself.

  I grabbed my phone and called Bella.

  “Hello.”

  “Bella, it’s Wyatt. Have you talked to Laurel today?”

  “Umm. No. Why?”

  Suddenly, I heard a cat meowing in the background.

  “Since when do you have a cat?” I asked.

  “Umm. I just got it.”

  “Bella, this is very important. Laurel is missing. No one has talked to her. If you have, I need to know.”

  “Ugh, Wyatt, she made me promise not to say anything.”

  “Bella, this is important!” I firmly spoke.

  “She dropped Coco Chanel off this morning and asked if I could keep her for a while. She said she needed to work things out.”

  “Work what out?”

  “I don’t know. She was very vague and didn’t say much. Where is she, Wyatt?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. As soon as I do, I’ll let you know.”

  “Now I’m starting to worry,” she spoke.

  “Me too. I have to go, Bella. Thank you.”

  As I ended the call, I flew up the stairs and opened the closet door, noticing her suitcase was missing.