A Matter of Honesty by Stephanie Morris

shook her head. “That‘s different. It‘s also the other reason why I
    shouldn‘t ask him out. He‘s my employer. Besides, he isn‘t interested in me.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Because we‘ve been in the same house for two months and he hasn‘t shown
    he‘s interested in me.”
    “Then take the chance and show him. I have a feeling you‘ve been playing it safe
    for a long time, and now‘s your chance to cut loose. Give into temptation for once in
    your life. You said yourself you haven‘t lived life to its fullest.”
    Lauryn sighed in frustration. “I don‘t even know him.”
    “You know him well enough.”
    Lauryn shook her head. “I don‘t know about this.”
    Lauryn sat back and thought about the ramifications this decision could bring
     
    about. Not only would this affect her and Steve, but Hannah as well, and she never
    wanted to do anything to hurt Hannah. She‘d never experienced her father dating
    another woman. According to her father, his reason was he had loved her mother so
    much, another woman had never crossed his mind. Even though she‘d been young,
    she‘d known her mother and father shared a love like no other. In the end, she realized
    it had been a major reason why her father had gone downhill even more after her
    mother‘s death. Her mother really had balanced her father out.
    Johanna laughed and Lauryn looked over at her. “I mean no offense, Johanna,
    but you could hardly stand me when you first met me. Now you‘re convinced I should
    ask Steve out. What gives?”
    “Nothing gives. I‘ve had time to get to know you, and I know you‘re attracted to
    Steve and he‘s attracted to you. I haven‘t seen him look at a woman the way he looks
    at you in a long time. Both of you also seem to be the type of people who won‘t make a
    move unless you‘re forced to. You and Steve are good people. I believe the two of you
    are compatible. Steve hasn‘t been completely happy in a long time. If you‘re the person
    who can give him that, I‘m all for it.” Johanna smiled. “I would like to see the both of
    you happy and if it‘s together, I won‘t complain.”
    Lauryn dropped her face into her hands, trying to take in the overwhelming
    information.
    “I know it‘s confusing, but it really shouldn‘t be. If you like Steve, go for it. He
     
    isn‘t seeing anyone; I know he‘s available.”
    Lauryn leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms across her chest. “How
    am I going to get Steve to go out with me?”
    Johanna shrugged. “Ask him.”
    A burst of laughter escaped Lauryn before she could stop it. It was an insane
    idea. No, it was beyond insane.
    “What‘s so funny?”
    “Imagine me, plain Lauryn Anderson asking a drop-dead gorgeous man like
    Steve out.”
    “What do you mean ‗plain Lauryn Anderson?‘ You‘re anything but plain. You are
    tall and slender with a nice figure. Besides, Steve has a thing for women with brown
    eyes.”
    “I don‘t think I‘m Steve‘s type, even with the brown eyes.”
    Johanna pulled off another slice of pizza. “Why?”
    “I don‘t think I look like the sort of woman Steve would date.”
    Johanna chewed her bite of pizza. “I disagree. All you need to do is let your hair
    down a little. The outfit you‘re wearing today is a good start.”
    Lauryn looked down at the blue lace-edged tank top and khaki oxford shorts
    she had on. She fluctuated between sizes eight and ten. She wasn‘t flabby; it was just
    her hips got in the way most of the time. But Lauryn had to admit she was looking
     
    good. “I am trying out a new wardrobe.”
    “Well, you look nice. If I had your legs they would never be covered.”
    Lauryn blushed at the flattering remark. She hadn‘t received that many
    compliments in life. When she did, they gave her immense pleasure. “Thank you, but
    do you really think I should ask Steve out?”
    “Why not? What could it hurt?”
    Lauryn couldn‘t hide her shudder at the potential answers to the