Lola arrived at work the next morning still feeling the ghost of yesterday clinging to her like a second skin. She’d slept badly, tossing between guilt and something that felt dangerously close to anticipation. She told herself it was wrong, because it was, but her heart had never been good at following rules her mind set.As she organized the front desk, she tried to focus on her to-do list. Emails, new patient entries, follow-up reminders, all the monotonous tasks that usually numbed her thoughts. But today even the typing felt louder, heavier, like her hands were working underwater.Her friend and co-worker, Janelle, breezed in at 8:57, hair still damp from a quick shower and sipping a coffee that smelled like heaven.“You look like you fought God and lost,” Janelle said cheerfully, leaning on the counter.Lola shot her a tired glare. “Morning to you too.”“Seriously, though,” Janelle squinted at her. “Bad sleep?”“Something like that,” Lola muttered, avoiding eye contact.Janelle
Last Updated : 2025-12-06 Read more