“Sure.” I’m okay.

“What did he do? Do I have to deliver over a shovel? Did he screw issues up for you? Make your ex mad? What occurred?” She sounds virtually distracted for a second.

“No, nothing like that. One thing… worse.” I collect up my braveness, looking for the phrases to inform her the reality.

“Worse? What could possibly be worse than that?” The confusion in her voice tells me all her consideration is again on me.

I take a deep breath. It’s now or by no means. “I slept with him.”

There’s an extended pause on the opposite finish of the road. I can virtually hear Katie’s mind processing my phrases and I take one other sip of my espresso.

“You what?” she lastly asks, disbelief filling the 2 phrases.

That’s the response I anticipated, to be trustworthy. Even I don’t know what I used to be pondering. Or if I even was pondering.

“I slept with him. Final night time. He introduced me house, I assumed there was a lightweight on in my place. He walked me up, checked the home, then we kissed…” Every little thing simply occurred.

“I don’t know what half of meaning, however are you okay?”

“I’m okay. I really feel like I tousled. I imply, this morning he appeared like he was in a rush to get out, and I’m frightened I screwed issues up between us, at work, I imply, persons are going to know-”

“No one goes to know.” She sounds so certain. “Everyone seems to be caught up in their very own issues. You’re tremendous so long as you haven’t finished something unprofessional at work.” She’s making sense, and I let loose a deep breath I didn’t understand I’d been holding.

I can solely hope she’s proper.

“Apart from that, are you cheerful?” She sounds cautiously optimistic.

Am I?

“I feel so.” If there aren’t any repercussions to our night time collectively, I’ve no regrets.

“I’m comfortable for you. So what occurred?” She lets out a silvery snort and I can’t maintain again a smile.

“I used to be afraid as a result of Sterling got here and made an enormous stink at my work. Clifton punched him within the face, Sterling bought thrown out, and Clifton introduced me house. I assumed I noticed a lightweight on that I by no means go away on, so he got here up with me to ensure I used to be protected. Then issues bought out of hand.” My cheeks burn as I bear in mind the night time earlier than. I slide onto the stool at my breakfast nook and take a deep drink of my espresso.

“Properly, you actually have a kind.” Amusement shines by way of in her voice.

She’s proper, I do have a kind. Guys that make me really feel protected, valued, vital.

“So he stayed the night time, then left in a rush?” Katie feels like she’s puzzling over his conduct. “Have you learnt if he had someplace to be? Perhaps a gathering or one thing?”

I carry each shoulders regardless that I do know she will be able to’t see me. “Not that I do know of, however I did not ask both.” Ought to I’ve requested, a minimum of to place myself relaxed?

“Properly, possibly he has all the identical issues you do and did not need to invade your area any longer than he already had. He’s only a particular person, too, you realize.”

Katie has a means of claiming precisely what I want to listen to. “And simply bear in mind, you are not the primary particular person to do one thing like this. You will not be the final. It would not outline you and also you’re stronger than any fallout that may come. You’re wonderful, Em.”

I do not really feel wonderful, however I am not about to inform her she’s unsuitable. “Thanks, Katie. You are the most effective pal ever; I do not know what I might do with out you.”

“Anytime, Emma. Anytime. So what are you going to do now?”

I am undecided if she means with regard to Clifton or simply my day generally. So I reply for each. “I’ll end my espresso after which in all probability ship him a textual content or name him. I do not need the primary time we work together after this to be at work, you realize?”

“Sensible.” Katie feels like she agrees with my strategy, which is reassuring.

“And I hope he would not make a scene, or act too pleasant in entrance of individuals. Or deliver it up the place anybody can hear him.” Simply the considered these choices has my coronary heart beating too laborious.

“Or kiss you?” Katie really sounds hopeful.

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