Page 31 of Unhinged

“Spit it out, Wilderness. Do you mean Greg? What’s your problem? Why would I chase after him? I hope he’s in Hong Kong! Nobody knows where he is, and most likely, we wouldn’t be in the same city. I think the sneaky bastard is in Richmond still, to be honest. And who cares? We were barely friends.”

“You kissed him at the bar. Everyone saw it, and then you left soon after. Did you sleep with him?”

“That’s none of your business! God! No! Okay? He didn’t want me! So shut the fuck up, Finn.”

“Watch the mouth. I’m looking out for you, Sims. Who else will?”

“Me.”

“Are you near ready to leave?”

Returning to the mirror, my defiant grunt and eye roll trigger Amos to pick up his car keys from the entryway table and head outside to his Range Rover. Sighing, I smooth my black pencil skirt and grab my hot pink blazer. All because I’m going to an interview doesn’t mean my fashion sense must suffer. I’m practically guaranteed this internship, anyhow. Although it’s unpaid since it’s against school policy, it could lead to a job after graduation. Anywhere but here. This state isn’t big enough to live in peace. These next months will be risky and agonizing. I’ll be looking over my shoulder and avoiding my reflection.

That Halloween night, Greg shoved a mirror in my face and made me see the overconfident idiot dumb enough to want to help the man I thought I fell for. I was going to tell him, but his bitter venom flowed through my veins. Now, I question everything and can’t trust myself anymore. I wanted to love him in his time of desperation, but with a lit match, he torched me at the stake. Greg Rodwell forever ruined me.

Shaking my head, I give my blonde hair one last glance before grabbing my coat, picking up my purse, sunglasses, and the green folder containing my resume.

When we reach the silver brick building, and Amos turns off the car, I remain in my seat with Halloween night brewing in every thought now.

“You nervous?”

“Hmm?” I ask, blinking away from the windshield. Instead of repeating his question, Amos stares at me. “What?”

“What is it about North Carolina that you don’t want to stay here after graduation?”

Behind my sunglasses, I shrug. “I need somewhere more upbeat. Frenetic.” I shift my gaze away from him.

He nods, but I don’t know why. “First floor. Suite number five.”

I remove my sunglasses and leave my purse with Amos. Inhaling a frustrated breath, I make my way into the four-story building. Two enormous and elaborate brass chandeliers adorn the frilly but small lobby, as do black marble tiles and brass fixtures. It’s retro cheesy. Following the signs pointing to the elevators, I see suite five.

Upon entering, a dark-haired woman smiles warmly from behind the reception counter. Before I speak, she says, “Hello. You must be Simone.”

I nod with a smile. “Yes. I’m Simone Garrison.”

“Welcome. I’m Dr. Lizette Abramson. It’s so nice to meet you. Let’s go into my office.” Dr. Abramson is a beautiful brunette with shoulder-length hair and striking brown eyes. They’re familiar and warm, matching her smile. Her gold heart necklace adorned with an orange topaz and purple amethyst shines as if greeting me too.

“Sure.” She opens the door, and I follow her down a hallway to the left. On the right, we enter a large room with a substantial dark wood L-shaped desk, with armchairs and a coffee table off to the side.

Dr. Abramson nods to the chair in front of her desk. “Please have a seat.” When I sit, with a broad smile, she says, “Amos Vaughn says many nice things about you.”

I remove my coat, draping it over the next chair. “I don’t know why.” I laugh but realize that’s not a brilliant response.

However, before I change my answer, she laughs too. “No need to be modest. I’m sure he has his shortcomings too.” I relax, and she asks, “What brings you to North Carolina?”

“Amos.” I roll my eyes. “I mean, obviously. But I’m here because I want to explore options in other locations. Get a feel for things.” I inwardly cringe at how stupid I sound.

“That’s understandable.” Dr. Abramson then asks boring interview questions about my goals, strengths, weaknesses, and where I see myself in five years. Fuck me to France. I’m just trying to make it through the next four months.

However, our meeting is pretty chill, and she makes me smile.

“How long do you plan to stay in Durham?”

Though I told Amos I’m out of here after graduation, I pause and then shrug. “I haven’t decided, but I’m open to anything. It’ll take some time to adjust and meet people.” Amos isn’t all that fun so far. When he’s home, he watches MSNBC or C-SPAN until he goes to bed at nine-thirty. Since I’m staying with him, it makes for a lonely existence.

She nods. “Well, Amos speaks highly of you, and he wouldn’t have dragged you all the way down here for nothing. I’d love for you to complete your internship here if you’re still interested.”

“Very. Thank you for the opportunity, Dr. Abramson. I won’t let you down.” What did I just get myself into? I panic with a smile and watch her gather papers as she continues talking. Her office is white and sparsely decorated with the bare minimum. No pictures of family and no personality, really. I wonder if she’d let me add some color.

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