When Laney logged into her Instagram for the day, she saw that Morgan had indeed dedicated Love Without An End. She had sent Lauren a text about the showing two nights before but hadn't gotten a response until this morning that they would not be coming. But she understood. After a heartbreak like that, it made sense.
Her paintings were finally finished after pouring her whole heart into them. Bean had sent over the other paintings that she requested from Morgan. It was perfect.
It was Jason Aldean's bar, then the whiskey glasses, the truck, the house, the lake with a boat, Morgan's concert but her and him on the stage as outlines, a Christmas tree farm, some mountains, her old apartment, and the last one was decided to be a live painting. Something never done before.
Calling Mia, she filled her in on EVERYTHING.
"I'm going to try to come," Mia said, "Also, I have an update for you. I'm moving to Tennessee".
Laney gasped, "No fucking way. What?".
"Yeah... I got a job offer but it's in Chattanooga!" exclaimed Mia.
Laney and Mia talked about everything: from family and relationships to old memories. It was crazy to think there was only one more day until the gallery showing. "So... Morgan is going to be coming from California?" Mia asked.
Laney nodded, "Yeah".
"Well... there's a pretty bad fire so I heard flights are delayed," Mia said.
Laney furrowed her eyebrows and sent Morgan a text.
Laney: You're coming still to the showing right?
Morgan: Apparently these wildfires are bad... going to try my hardest though
Laney sighed, she couldn't help but be selfish about the situation. The one big thing she finally achieved and he wouldn't be able to make it.
"You were right," Laney told Mia.
"I'm sorry. How is the kid and stuff?"
"Morgan is very willing to get a restraining order so I am not sure if the kid will be in the picture," Laney explained before delving into the story about how she was pushed into the glass table that shattered and put her into the hospital.
"Holy shit," Mia gasped, "Psycho".
As the two blabbed on about hometown tea, Laney couldn't help but feel the twang of hurt from Morgan not being able to make it. Maybe a call from him before she asked would have made her feel better but the fact he waited was extremely difficult for her to process.
Going into her closet, she picked out a beautiful pink two-piece outfit for tomorrow's show with her sneakers. She wasn't sure who would be there tomorrow but she was ecstatic.
Morgan: are you mad?
Laney hesitated as her fingers hovered over the keyboard. To make a big deal or to leave it alone? "Morgan asked if I'm mad but I don't know how to word it," she told Mia who was listening to her on the phone.
"I wish I could help you but I don't know if this is one of those things you'll bring up two weeks from now to him," Mia practically shrugged, "I do have to go for dinner but text me!".
Mom: Good luck at your showing tomorrow! I'll be there <3
Laney: Love you mom, can't wait to see you
Laney was so distracted by painting and Morgan that she had completely forgotten her mom would be flying into town for the gallery showing. Watching her mom type instantly, the phone screen was taken over by Morgan's face popping up and her ringtone.
