Emma's Pov
The week that followed was nothing but work and more work. I tried to get my head off what had happened that week but what is the use when it still found its way into my head.
I sat here with my client, she was just a teenager and was battling depression. As she explained to me all her issues, I responded like a programmed robot. It wasn't what I wanted but it was what I could offer.
After going therough a bad heart break, gettiing myself involved in only what god knows, I think this is going to be the worst day of my fucking life.
"Hey, hey… are you listening?" The girl snapped her finger in my face.
I shook my head, staring at her as I tried to bring back my wondering mind. "sorry…" I looked at her as she looked at me with worried eyes.
"You looked stressed." She added, I gave her a little smile while I flipped through her file. "You know just because you are a therapist doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of your mental health, Miss Lawson."
I paused, I had nothing to say. She was right. I need to look out for myself.
I sighed, "thank you, Sophia, let's pick this up another time?"
She smiled at me, "I think we should." She stood up, picked up her bag and headed for the door, "ohh, and Miss Lawson, everything would be fine."
I smiled because that was always my ending quote to my clients each session before I could respond. She walked out of the office leaving me alone in the tiny room. I needed a distraction but I had no friends. The only people I had in my life were Ethan and Jessy.
I picked up my phone as I scrolled through my snap. I had originally had them blocked in my main account but I created a fake to spy on them.
Was I obsessing? Yes but I should be able to grieve. They can't just ruin someone's life and move on like nothing happened. I clicked on Ethan's story and Jessy was the first person to pop up on it. She looked happy as she lip syncing to a viral tik tok song. Ethan was in the background with his laptop where shealked to him and they kissed.
I clenched my fist so hard that I almost busted a vein. I kept replying to the story over and over again till I slammed my phone on my desk.
"fuck you, Ethan. Fuck You, Jessy." I yelled while tears rolled down my eyes. A knock came from the door but I wasn't sure I wanted to see anyone.
"Please come back later…"
"Are you alright?" The voice came and it was my assistant, Angel.
"Hmm, ya…please cancel all appointments for the day." Yes
"Yes ma," she replied from a cold door and she walked away slowly. I wiped my tears. I needed to refocus my energy and I needed a distraction. I picked back my phone and I quickly dialed the last number I couldn't think of.
James.
He picked up on the first ring which left me no choice but to go ahead with the plans. " Hello?"
"Hey, James, it's me."
"Ya…but a quick one. Who is this?"
I chuckled, I forgot he didn't have my number yet, "oh shit, sorry. This is Emma Lawson, the girl from the cafe."
"Oh, now I remember. The uptight friend." he spat out which made me chuckle. "What's up?"
"Hmmm….don't take this the wrong way but…" I paused, trying to look for a way around it but it all led down to one road.
"Emma, I can't read minds." He joked again which made me smile.
"yes, yes. I thought we could go out and do something fun?" I finally asked and the line went dead silent. I couldn't even hear him breathe.
"Hello, James?"
"Sorry, I'm here. Are you joking? Is this like a date…"
I cleared my throat, "oh my goddess, no I just wanted to catch up and I…."
"You need a distraction.." he completed my sentence.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears at bay, "yes, yes I do…"
"Text me the address, I will be there in ten minutes."
I ended the call and stared at my reflection in the glass window. My eyes were puffy, the mascara smudged beneath them like bruises.
Ten minutes. I didn't have time to look perfect, but maybe that was the point, and I didn't want to.
I grabbed my coat and purse, heading out of the office before I could change my mind. The city air hit me. I hailed a cab and texted James the name of a small bar near downtown, the kind of place where no one knew me, where the music was loud enough to drown out my thoughts.
By the time I got there, he was already outside, leaning against his car with that easy grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. He looked casual an fucking handsome with his black jeans, gray shirt, leather jacket but his gaze softened when he saw me.
"Hey," he said. "You look… like you could use a drink."
I laughed, though it came out shaky. "You have no idea."
Inside, the lights were low, the hum of conversation blending with the slow thrum of a guitar from the speakers. We found a booth in the corner. I ordered tequila and he raised a brow but didn't comment.
After the second shot, my chest felt lighter. I told him about work, about how exhausting it was pretending to have it all together. I didn't mention Ethan or Jessy by name, but the bitterness in my voice filled in the blanks.
He listened, like really listened and for the first time in weeks, I didn't feel like I was talking to a wall.
"You know," he said finally, "sometimes the people who hurt us the most are the ones who teach us how strong we actually are."
I blinked, surprised by the depth in his tone. "That sounds like something a therapist would say."
He smirked. "Guess I've picked up a few things from one."
I smiled faintly. The ache was still there, but it didn't feel unbearable anymore.
When we stepped outside later, the city was quiet. I felt the chill bite at my skin, and he offered his jacket. For a second, I hesitated, then took it.