Because of Lauren: A Love Story

by Vivi Underwood

  Her eyes wide with dismay for Annie, Lauren asked, “What did he say?”

  “With no guilt and no apology, he said, ‘Probably.’ His reply made me so sick to my stomach, I vomited all over him.”

  Lauren clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from shouting with laughter. “Good for you! Thank goodness you found out before your wedding day.”

  “Yes. I just wish I had known sooner. I wasted five years of my life on him. At the time, I was devastated,” she admitted. “And then I was angry with myself for not having known the kind of man he was. It was Jonas who finally helped me put everything in perspective. He took me in that first night and later helped me find a place to live. Then he and William packed up all my things and arranged to have them moved to my new apartment.

  “There was a particularly bad period when both William and Jonas were at their wits’ end wondering what to do about me. That’s when Jonas insisted I come with him to America. It was a business trip for him, but we stayed with his LDS friends. It was the best thing he could have done for me.

  “One day I confided in Allison about my life with Asle and what had happened. She was so comforting and not at all judgmental. And then she told me she and Jake had married within three months of meeting because they were so much in love and didn’t believe in living together without being married. Jake had a wife and baby while still in school, yet they made it work because they were both so committed to each other and their little family. That’s when it hit me how lucky I was not to have married a totally selfish louse like Asle.

  “I’m not interested in live-in relationships anymore, Lauren. If I ever marry, it will be to someone who believes in the things I do—marriage and family and being faithful.”

  Lauren reached for her friend’s hand in both sympathy and admiration. It was difficult to reconcile the lovely, confident woman before her with the girl she had just described. “Bravo, Annie,” she said with genuine warmth. “The right man is out there somewhere. It’s just a matter of finding him.”

  Annie’s reply was drowned out by the loud noise of an overhead engine. Lauren looked up, then smiled in delight. A small seaplane was coming in for a landing. Before long the pilot and passenger emerged and jumped onto the dock where they quickly and efficiently anchored the plane before heading up the stone steps.

  “That looks fun!” Lauren exclaimed. “I have never flown in a seaplane.”

  “Me, either. Maybe they’ll give you a ride if you ask them,” Annie suggested teasingly.

  “Oh, sure. I’ll just waltz into the restaurant, disturb their meal and demand a ride in their toy. Good one, Annie!”

  “They might consider it if you ask them nicely.”

  Lauren rolled her eyes and shook her head, causing Annie to emit a soft giggle.

  “Your friend is right,” said a masculine voice behind her. “If you ask nicely, I just may give you a ride in my toy.”

  Lauren turned slowly. Off to her left stood the pilot, the very man she assumed had entered the restaurant, ready to take his seat at a table a few feet away. His eyes gleamed with amusement.

  Lauren burst out laughing. “I beg your pardon! Please don’t think I was insulting your plane. It was just so little and cute it reminded me of a toy.”

  “That’s what makes it fun to pilot and easy to park. I’ll take you up if you’ll allow me to eat first,” he offered.

  Lauren glanced at Annie, then at the pilot. He was a trim, pleasant-looking man in his mid-forties, she guessed. He wore a wedding band. “Do you mean that?”

  The man displayed an easy, non-flirtatious smile. “Absolutely, but only one of you at a time. There are only two seats.”

  “What about your friend? He may not want to wait.”

  “He’s in no hurry,” the pilot assured them.

  Lauren looked at Annie. “Well? What do you think?”

  “Not for me, thanks. I get seasick, and I’ll probably get airsick in such a small plane. But you go ahead.”

  Lauren looked at the pilot again. “If you are sure, I’d love to.”

  “Good,” he said and took a seat at his own table.

  His friend joined him shortly, and Lauren turned back to Annie, who looked extremely amused. With their meal finished, it suddenly occurred to her that Annie’s time might be limited.

  “Annie, I didn’t think. Do you need to get back to the office?”

  “There’s no hurry,” she assured her, “and I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of your plane ride.” She looked at Lauren gleefully. “Wait till I tell Jonas!”

  Lauren laughed softly. “Must you?”

  The men did not dawdle over their meal, and in no time at all, the pilot approached their table with a friendly smile. “Ready?”

  Lauren returned the smile. “Am I!” She rose from her chair and nodded to Annie. “See you in a few minutes, then.”

  “This is extraordinarily kind of you,” she said as they made their way down the stone steps and onto the dock. “It will be something to tell friends and family about when I get home.”

  “And where is home?”

  “New York City.”

  He looked surprised, then speculative, but waited until they were settled in the plane before commenting further. Making sure she was strapped in, he started the engine. The take-off was smooth and quick, and Lauren waved to Annie as the plane achieved altitude, then turned to her new-found benefactor. “This is great fun,” she smiled. “I think I’d like to learn how to fly one of these. It doesn’t look too difficult.”

  The pilot smiled indulgently at her. “It’s not a 747,” he agreed. “And it’s a hobby of mine.”

  Lauren looked eagerly out the window, taking in the sights below. The city she had come to love looked amazing from the air, with its hills, mountains, fjords, and islands. For Lauren, no city could compare to the beauty of Bergen and its surroundings.

  The pilot observed her animated face for several moments. Finally, he said. “I think you should know I have an ulterior motive in offering you a ride. I’m Simon Berg.”

  He saw no sign of recognition on her face, just a friendly smile. “Lauren Hart, and as long as your motive doesn’t include kidnapping, I am sure we can sort it out. I have a plane to catch in the morning.”

  He laughed heartily. These next few minutes should prove interesting. “If you are a New Yorker, how is it that you speak fluent Norwegian?”

  “Norwegian mother.” Lauren didn’t elaborate.

  “Ah! And you really do live in New York?”

  “Yes, I really do.”

  “That explains it then.”

  “It’s possible,” she grinned. “But exactly what does it explain?”

  “The fact that I have never seen or heard of you before now. He’s kept you well hidden.”

  His cryptic way of speaking sparked Lauren’s interest. “Could you expand on that? I’m still in the dark.”

  “I don’t normally offer rides to strangers on the spur of the moment,” he explained, “but I made an exception for you because I recognized you.”

  Lauren looked at him skeptically. “That’s a line I haven’t heard before.”

  He chuckled softly. With her looks and charm, no doubt she got plenty of lines. “Last week,” he elaborated, “I was in a certain restaurant having a meal. Suddenly I heard a commotion and looked up in time to see you fling yourself at Jonas Juul, who had been sitting at a secluded table nearby. I didn’t get the impression you were strangers.”

  Lauren’s mouth curved. She vividly remembered doing that. “You know Jonas?”

  “Know of him,” Simon corrected. “We move in different circles.”

  When Lauren didn’t comment, he continued. “Then last Saturday I went to the village market near my home. Imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw both of you there. I’d noticed a
yacht docked at the pier when I pulled up. After seeing the two of you, I knew it must be Juul’s.”

  Lauren remained quiet. This was bizarre. Who was this man? “I don’t remember seeing a plane,” she finally said.

  “I drove. The plane was moored by my house.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Jonas Juul is something of a celebrity in this city, but one rarely hears anything about his private life.”

  “Maybe he prefers it that way.”

  “My point is, for someone so private, he suddenly isn’t! I almost hesitate to mention I happened to be crossing Torgallmenning Square Monday afternoon.”

  Lauren’s lips twitched as she thought of the two of them holding hands and laughing happily while crossing the city’s main square, then that quick, spontaneous kiss. “And you were intrigued,” she suggested. “And couldn’t believe your luck when you spotted me today and accidentally overheard a conversation not meant for you. So, you cleverly offered me a ride in your plane, hoping to extract information about Jonas,” she concluded smoothly.

  He sighed in relief. She appeared to be amused rather than angry. But she was sharp. She’d hit it right on. When he spotted her today, he couldn’t quite believe his luck. He had been looking for something unusual for his next column, and the minute he recognized her, he knew he had his story.

  “After seeing you together openly three times in a matter of days, I wondered how he had managed to keep you hidden until now,” Simon admitted.

  “I’m not sure why you think it should be a concern of yours,” Lauren pointed out in a remarkably reasonable voice, “but Jonas has never kept me hidden.”

  “That’s because you’ve been seeing each other in New York,” he concluded with a certain amount of triumph. “That’s what I meant when I said, ‘That explains it.’”

  Lauren shook her head. “I still don’t see why it should be of interest to you.”

  “I told you. I’m Simon Berg.”

  Lauren turned a blank face to him and said politely. “I’m sorry, is your name significant?”

  “I write for the newspaper. You’ll see my byline if you care to check sometime. Seeking information and writing about it is what I do.”

  Lauren looked at him and wondered how she could have been gullible enough to get caught in his trap. She could hardly pass herself off as Jonas’ cousin when he had seen them kissing in a public square. She had three choices as she saw it. She could get angry, she could show icy disdain, or she could handle it with humor. She decided on the latter.

  “What do you write, the gossip column?”

  Stung, he corrected her. “I write human interest stories. We don’t do gossip. We leave that to the tabloids.”

  “I’m quite sure no one is interested in reading about me.”

  “Possibly not, but they would be very interested in reading about Jonas Juul.”

  “Shouldn’t an ethical journalist interview his subject before writing about him?”

  “Juul doesn’t give personal interviews.”

  “So, you thought you’d sneak in the back way and corner me?”

  Simon gave her a closer look. “You are older than I thought. And quite savvy.”

  He watched, fascinated, as a lively grin broke out across her face. “I’ve learned to be,” was her quick, surprising comeback. “I’m a Manhattan business executive. I wasn’t born yesterday.”

  Simon Berg laughed harder than he had in a long time.

  When he finally got himself under control, Lauren added, “I am not sure why I am telling you this, but Jonas and I have never been in New York together. Your theory couldn’t be more wrong.”

  The look Simon gave her said very clearly that he didn’t believe her, but he had sense enough not to press her. Instead, he gave her an extended time in the air with only pleasant conversation between them.

  On their return trip to the city, Lauren casually asked Annie if she had ever heard of a Simon Berg. Annie said, yes, he was a newspaper columnist, well-known locally.

  “Do you know what he looks like?”

  “No idea. He insists his picture be left off his column so he can maintain his anonymity. Why?”

  “His name came up while we were flying, and it didn’t mean anything to me. He talked as if I should know, that’s all.”

  To Annie, Simon Berg was not a subject of importance. But she knew she would tell Jonas.

  Back in the city, and after parking the car, Annie wondered about Lauren’s plans for the evening.

  “Dinner with Jon and Bente, a last boat ride, and packing,” Lauren replied. “Thank you for today. It’s been great. I don’t know when we’ll see each other again, but sooner or later I’ll be back.”

  “I’m sure of that,” Annie said. “Or did you forget this is Jonas’ home turf?”

  “Never for a moment. But the reality is I have a demanding job and limited vacation time.”

  “I’ll be there for Jonas until you come back. He’ll be lonely without you.”

  “I’ll be lonely without him. I already miss him. And I know I’ll miss you. ‘Bye, Annie.”

  “‘Bye! Have a safe flight and keep in touch.” They hugged warmly, then went their separate ways—Annie back to her office and Lauren across town to the bus stop.

  On the way, she dawdled. She loved exploring the city or just walking around downtown, soaking up the atmosphere. She decided to make a stop at Torget, the open-air market by the harbor. There were stalls selling fresh fish and seafood of all kinds, as well as fruits and vegetables. Lauren remembered her first time here and the fish vendor whose sign displayed a list of all the languages he spoke. Lauren had counted thirteen. She’d been very impressed.

  All these years later, she still loved the atmosphere of the market. She stopped and bought a bouquet of flowers for Bente and a basket of fresh, sweet strawberries for Jon before heading for the bus stop and home.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lauren was in the middle of packing when there was a knock on her bedroom door.

  “If you are ready, Lasse is here to take you for the boat ride,” Bente said as Lauren opened the door.

  “Not Jon?”

  “Change of plans. Lasse wants to take you. Do you mind?”

  “Of course not. Playing older brother, is he?”

  Bente shrugged. “Who knows?”

  “He’ll probably warn me about Jonas and tell me I’m out of my league. We’ll be fine,” she assured her.

  After Bente left, Lauren slipped on a lightweight sweater, a pair of jeans, and boat shoes. The weather was still fine. It should be a pleasant trip.

  “Ready?” Lasse was waiting on the back terrace when she emerged from her room. He carried extra jackets, with drinks and munchies in a pack. He was not planning a quick trip, Lauren realized, as they headed toward the dock below.

  Once they cast off and Lasse eased the boat away from the dock, she joined him on deck. He turned and smiled. “Want to do the honors?”

  “No, I’m good. You play captain, and I’ll just relax and enjoy myself.”

  “Want to go by the house?”

  “Jonas and I swung by Monday afternoon, so I’m good.”

  Juul knew about the house? Lasse scowled. He resented how quickly the two had bonded and how much time they had spent together the last few days. If he were honest with himself, he was jealous, and that bugged him even more. “Want to tell me what’s going on between the two of you?”

  Lauren blinked. “You’re scowling. Planning a lecture?”

  He was, not that he’d admit it. So, he scowled some more, just to be contrary. “I’m serious here, Lauren! Money aside, what does Juul have that I don’t?”

  His comment was so out of left field, it left her gaping. Lasse was hardly a pauper. The family owned a successful textile
company, a business Lasse was slated to take over when his father retired. But with that remark she knew a lecture was coming. She suddenly missed Jonas unbearably.

  Her silence told him he had overstepped the line of friendship. It wasn’t her fault that he had never quite gotten over her. He apologized. “Sorry, Lauren. That was uncalled for. Just answer the question, okay?”

  “Which one?”

  “What exactly is going on between you and Juul?”

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “I’m sure I don’t want to know, but tell me anyway.”

  Lauren’s face softened. “I’m in love with him.”

  Lasse swore silently, then gave a deep sigh. “I was afraid of that,” he said after a lengthy pause. “What about him?”

  “He says he feels the same.”

  “Why him and not me, Lauren?” His voice held an edge that surprised her.

  “Let’s not go back there,” she pleaded. “It was a very long time ago.”

  “Just humor me, will you?”

  Lauren sighed audibly. “Why, Lasse? It won’t change anything.”

  “Please?”

  “You never mentioned marriage. You just wanted us to live together.”

  “You were twenty, too young for marriage.”

  “But not too young for an intimate live-in relationship?”

  “All right, I wasn’t ready for marriage,” he admitted frankly.

  “You wanted the perks without the commitment.”

  “Don’t tell me Juul has mentioned marriage already,” he scoffed.

  His dismissive tone made Lauren think of how sweet Jonas had been with her the night before. He would have arranged separate hotels for them if she had agreed to go to Lisbon with him and would have protected her and kept her safe. And when she blurted out a very premature suggestion of marriage, Jonas hadn’t backed off in horror, he’d looked like someone who’d been handed a precious gift. But she didn’t tell Lasse any of that. It was too private and too special. And it would give him one more reason to scoff. So, she said simply, “It’s been mentioned.”