I'm driving home to see my dad a couple of days later when Alice calls. I link my phone via Bluetooth and answer.
"Girl! Where have you been?" I screech when I hear the call connect.
"Sorry, G. I have been super busy with class. Plus...I may have met someone," Alice giggles. Alice does not giggle. Ever. Why are we both giggling suddenly?
"Um, where? Why am I just hearing about this now?"
"I didn't want to jinx anything. You know how my luck is! I met him at the club the other night during all your potty breaks. He danced with me a little and then gave me his number at the end of the night. We've hung out a few times to get coffee and study over the last few days. He's super sweet and so cute."
Alice is gushing and I'm excited for her. She typically doesn't get this infatuated with someone, so this person must have made an impression.
"I'm so happy for you. You don't have to tell me too much yet, Miss Superstitious, but I expect details at some point!"
"Promise. Now, anything new on your front?"
I talk to Alice about my workday with Kieran a few days ago. I explain how funny he is but how he also turns it off so quickly. I even tell her about his comment about the club.
"Wait, wait. Back up. What happened at the club?!" Alice exclaims.
Shit. I cringe slightly, realizing I haven't told her about that. I'm not sure why but I wanted it to be my secret for a little while.
"He pinned me up against the wall outside of the bathroom, after I was dancing with the other guy. He just kind of stared at my face for a few moments while holding my wrists above my head. It was quite...exciting," I laugh, slightly embarrassed.
"That sounds hot. Phew. But wasn't he making out with another girl before that?"
"Don't remind me. I have no idea what's going on with him. All I know is that I need to talk about this in therapy and I need a break from the situation. There's too much tension when I'm around him and I need a way to break it."
"Well, I know how you can release some of that tension..."
"Don't be a perv, Alice." I smile at her comment and let her know I'm almost in my hometown and would text her after my therapy appointment. I hang up and drive a few more minutes until I'm parked at my therapist's office.
I step out of my gas-guzzling, used purple Jeep and walk inside of the office, noting how they must have recently done some redecorating.
"Hey, Sue. New paint on the walls?" I ask the receptionist.
"Yes, dear. Thanks for noticing. We thought we should spice things up a little." I raise my brows at her in a way of asking how beige is 'spicing things up'. "I don't know, Gemma. I don't know." She laughs at my reaction and checks me in, letting me know Stacey would be available shortly.
My monthly Friday evening sessions are always the greatest because I'm usually the last person in the office, and I get to know the staff more than other patients. I've also been seeing Stacey for years, so I know her staff well.
Stacey runs her own private practice with one other therapist, and they've worked together for a long time. This small office has always been a safe place for me to come with my feelings when I didn't feel comfortable sharing them anywhere else.
"Gemma?" I stand up and walk to Stacey's office as she holds the door open for me. "Hi Gemma, how are you?" Stacey smiles at me, brushing her blonde hair over her shoulder and shutting the door behind her.
YOU ARE READING
Gem in the Rough
Romance"Did you know that you just pull me in? I can't stop thinking about you." Kieran's eyes are shut, his head against the back of the couch, while making his confession. I guess he had moved in the few moments I'd been in my own thoughts. "Is that a ba...
