The last thing I want is to walk into Lana’s office and start bawling my eyes out.
She’ll think something’s wrong, when the truth is everything is beyond amazing.
I grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator, and I stand by the counter for a few minutes while I compose myself and sip from the bottle. The cold drink helps, but I’m not convinced I’ll be able to go down to her office to say thanks without having an emotional breakdown.
“Get yourself together, girl.”
I attempt to give myself one of Colleen’s pep talks.
She was never good at dealing with tears.
I learned not to show it when I was upset.
This whole rescue experience has broken me of my usual defences.
Getting back the memories of my mother has done something to me that I can’t explain.
I’ve been easier to upset ever since, but I wouldn’t reverse what Dr. Morgan did for me.
I owe him as much as I owe Lana, at least.
It gives me an extra reason for going to visit Lana.
I’d like to see him again, to thank him for his help.
Setting my water down on the counter, I go to the door and unlock it.
Before I can think twice, I open the door and step into the corridor.
It takes a few seconds to lock the door, but once that’s done, I stuff the keys into my pocket, and I head straight for the stairs. They take me down to the corridor that leads to the kitchen’s main entrance. The first time I saw those big silver double-doors I realized the job I signed up for would be pretty different from what I was used to.
Working in an academy that looks after more than a hundred live-in students will likely keep me far busier than I was when I was living in a couple’s mansion, catering to one man’s needs for the most part and helping to prepare food for parties maybe once or twice a month.
I’m a little nervous, but mostly, I’m eager to get started.
This week has been strange.
It was bad enough having nothing to do while I was recovering.
Now that I’m feeling good, I want to keep myself busy.
There’s only so much cleaning I can do in my suite.
I pass the kitchen doors and then the glass doors that lead out to the gardens.
I’m tempted to go outside, but I know I can go out there once I’ve spoken to Lana.
The nervous energy I’m drowning in right now will leave and I can relax afterward.
It’ll be more pleasant to be out in the sun when I’m unburdened.
Taking a deep breath, I walk into the reception area.
Erika, Lana’s vibrant Omega secretary, looks up as I move across the room toward her desk. I try to reflect a smile backthat matches her own, but I know I probably look awkward. I’m already starting to question what I’m doing here.
This place has been so welcoming toward me.
I shouldn’t be bothering Lana just to say thank you.
