But I pushed the thought away.
For once, I didn't want to hear his judgment.
I wanted to sit in this moment and feel the warmth spreading through my chest, the dangerous, intoxicating possibility that maybe—just maybe—I wasn't as alone as I'd convinced myself I was.
3
EMBER
I collapsed into the worn chair behind my desk and kicked off my heels, letting them clatter on the floor.
My feet throbbed from the cobblestones at the festival, and I could still feel the phantom pressure of that ridiculous crown digging into my temples.
Compared to Dr. Bradley's lush corner office, mine felt like not much more than a broom closet, but I absorbed its privacy fully and relished being alone for the first time all day.
I dropped my bag under the desk and scrolled through the messages on my phone I'd been ignoring all afternoon.
Life never stopped moving for me just because I came to work.
I had to check in with the landlord who wanted an update about my three-month lease and whether I'd be extending it, and I had a dentist appointment to get a molar checked out.
And Amelia, my best friend from back home, had sent three messages about various things.
Hers was the first message I responded to.
Ember: 4:47 PM: Sorry. Long day. I'm alive.
The response came within seconds.
Amelia: 4:47 PM: FINALLY. I've been losing my mind. What happened? You said you had some award thing?
I stared at the screen with my thumbs hovering over the keyboard.
Where did I even start?
It wasn't like I'd ever hide anything from my best friend, but it was all so fresh, I didn't know what to think.
But if anyone could help me think this through, it was her.
Ember: 4:48 PM: I kissed my boss.
I hit send before I could second-guess myself, then immediately regretted it.
My office door was closed, but I could hear voices in the hallway—someone laughing, a phone ringing in the distance.
They reminded me what a stupid game I was playing even entertaining the idea of Dr. Bradley's lips on mine again.
My phone buzzed with her response.
Amelia: 4:48 PM: Shut up! I need details. What do you mean you kissed your boss???
I sank back into my chair and spun in a slow circle, staring up at the ceiling tiles.
How was I supposed to explain this?
I barely understood it myself.
Ember: 4:49 PM: Festival thing. Tradition. They made us kiss on stage in front of everyone.
