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“I’m sorry I don’t have any clothes for you to wear to bed,” Lauren stated as she smoothed out her comforter, “and I’m even more sorry that I only have one bed,”
“Like I said, I’ll be fine sleeping in the chair. I’ve slept in worse places,” Cullen awkwardly laughed, trying to ease the strange tension.
“And you’re okay sleeping in a dress shirt and jeans? It’s really not a big deal if you want to take some of your clothes off. You can even do it after I shut off the lights,” Lauren mumbled, feeling mildly uncomfortable, “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before,”
There it was – the first step in opening that very purposefully sealed door to their past.
“And you can sleep on the bed too,” Lauren sighed, trying to act as if she didn’t feel slightly like a giddy school girl about all of this, “We’re grownups – I think we are mature enough to handle that,”
Worry flashed across Cullen’s face as he stood and walked awkwardly to the corner of the room and slowly undressed himself until he was down to just his underwear.
“Man, did I choose a bad day not to wear an undershirt,” Cullen joked, trying to lighten the strange mood that had engulfed the room.
Lauren and Cullen climbed into bed, uncomfortable - they both knew they wouldn’t be able to sleep with the awkwardness that had consumed the room. The thoughts of the evening swirled around in both of their minds. It was more than just a little creepy that someone had followed them home and tried to photograph them. And it was more than just a little awkward to be sharing a bed together as estranged ex’s who had yet to reach a place where they could finally address their issues. Even so, Cullen squeezed his eyes shut and attempted to drift off while Lauren leaned on her elbow and switched off the lamp.