Page 27 of If You Stayed

“It is a lot. And I don’t know what to do. Tell me what to do. Give me any kind of advice.”

“I don’t even know. This sounds like a twistedBlack Mirrorepisode.”

“Joseph saidJane the Virgin.”

“That’s a very Joseph choice.”

I sighed and picked up my water for a sip. My mouth felt dry as I sat heavily in my emotions. “It’s so messy.”

“You have to keep seeing him,” she stated. “No question about it. Not only is he building your home, but he’s Gabriel.”

“I know.” He was Gabriel. My once-upon-a-time lovestory. “Joseph said I should tell Henry all about Gabriel.”

Rosie worked her hardest not to roll her eyes. It was no secret that Henry and Rosie didn’t get along. She didn’t complain much about him anymore now that years have passed, but she didn’t go out of her way to pretend she could stand him.

“Joseph would be one to tell you to be a responsible wife. Stupid Joseph.” She huffed. “Being an adult sucks.”

“Tell me about it.”

“So, when do I get to see him?”

“What?”

“Gabriel. Sure, he was your everything, but he was my friend, too. Plus, I’d kill to see how you act with him around.”

I laughed. “That’s not happening.”

“What? Come on! You know I thrive off uncomfortable situations. I’d be the comic relief in your tragedy of errors.”

“It’s a strong negative.”

“Just host another dinner party. I love Henry’s dinner parties.”

“YouhateHenry’s dinner parties.”

“It’s true.” She nodded. “Too highbrow for me and not enough mozzarella sticks. But I would one hundred percent show up if it meant I’d get to see you act super awkward and clumsy around Gabriel Sinclair.”

“What makes you think I’d be super awkward and clumsy around Gabriel?”

She shook her head and patted my hand. “Oh, sweet, sweet Kierra. Because I know you so well. I bet you spilled something when you saw him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s change the subject.”

She pointed a stern finger my way. “You totally spilled something.”

“All over myself, yes.”

“I knew it.” She reached to my plate and stole a few of my fries. “It is kind of exciting, though, isn’t it?”

“What’s that?”

“You and Gabriel being reunited after all this time. And for the record, you don’t have to take Joseph’s advice. I hardly ever listen to my therapist. It’s more of an optional thing, really.”

I laughed. “I fear a lot of my clients feel the same way.”

***

When I returned to the office, I was thrown off as I walked into the lobby to find a person I was not expecting to see sitting in a chair. My head tilted sideways as I stared at the familiar stranger. That saying felt like the biggest oxymoron known to mankind. A familiar stranger. Someone you once upon a time knew yet who had shifted into nothing more than a sad memory.

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