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This is our situation, our problem. But we need to figure it out, even if we are young.” He was breathing hard, almost frantic with hopelessness. “I’m not letting you go.” He kissed her again. “I love you, Lauren. I don’t care how old I am; I’ll never love anyone like this. Never.”
    “I love you too, Shane. You won’t have to let go. I promise.” She spoke the words straight to his heart and when she was sure she’d start crying if she didn’t leave, she opened the door and stepped out into the snow. She waved once more as she turned and took light, careful steps up the walkway.
    Inside, she leaned against the front door and waited until she heard his car drive away. The worse things got, the more she loved him, the more certain she was that somehow they could handle the days ahead. If only their parents would give them the chance.
    Her father’s voice came from the den down the hall and she followed the sound. What was he saying? Something about the bank? She slowed her pace. He mustn’t have heard her come in. She tiptoed to the edge of the door so she could hear better.
    “How far is it from here?” It was her mother’s voice. She must’ve been filing papers, because a rustling sound made it hard to understand her.
    “Only about an hour. The town’s great, wonderful schools. Lauren can have the baby this summer and start her senior year fresh, no baggage.”
    “I’m not sure.” Her mother sounded skeptical. “If she keeps the baby, we’ll have more than prom and college applications to deal with.”
    “If she does or if she doesn’t, I want her to have a fresh start. You know how it’ll be around here, Angela. She’ll always be the good girl who went and got pregnant with the school’s baseball jock.”
    Anger surged into her veins, but Lauren didn’t move. They might have more to say, and she didn’t want to miss it.
    “Come on, Bill.” Kindness filled her mother’s tone. “Shane’s more than the school’s baseball jock.”
    “I know that.” Her father’s words were fast and frustrated, like hail in a summer thunderstorm. “But right now the two of them need to be apart. That’s what’s best for them.”
    “And Sheila and Samuel found something in LA?”
    “Definitely.” For the first time in the exchange, her father’s voice relaxed some. “They’ll be gone by mid-June.” He paused. “I never realized how hard it is to work with Samuel Galanter. The man’s a control freak, and so’s his wife.”
    “They used to be our friends.” Her mother’s voice was soft, defeated. “It’s like we didn’t know them.”
    “In a few months, we won’t.” His words sounded pinched. “The nerve of that kid to take advantage of my little girl. We’ll see how much time he gets with her once they move to California.”
    Lauren had heard enough. She burst through the doorway, hands on her hips. “Don’t you listen for the door?”
    Both her parents opened their mouths, shock written in their expressions. “Lauren!” Her mother was on her feet. She tried a smile, but it died long before it hit her eyes. “No . . . we didn’t hear you come in.”
    “Obviously.” She paced in front of them, looking from her mother to her father and back again. “So you’re part of this . . . this moving to California thing?” Her face was hot.
    “We’re not part of it.” Her mother was at her side, touching her shoulder. “We wouldn’t have anything to do with another family moving away, honey.”
    “But that’s it, isn’t it?” Her voice was louder than before. She glared at her father. “You and Mr. Galanter sold your bank, and now you’re going your own ways. And if that breaks up me and Shane then so be it, right?”
    “The Galanters might be moving, yes.” Her mother’s voice was calm, and that was bad. The more upset her mom got, the calmer her voice. “That plays a factor in what we’re doing, obviously. We’re selling the bank, so — ”
    “Right!”