One Moment Please (Wait With Me #3)(20)

“Thanks, I need it,” I say as she returns with the Styrofoam cup.

“Talk to me,” Kate urges, her brows pinched. “I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA. This book is kicking my ass, and I just had to hermit until I finished.”

“How close are you?” I ask, my mood lifting. “You’ve got to hurry up and type ‘The End’ so we can do our tradition of celebrating. I need a big night out.”

“I should finish by next week!” She grabs my arm excitedly.

“Good.” I pin her with a serious stare. “Then you, me, and Dean need to hang out. I miss your face! And I especially miss hearing you taunt Dean for wearing shirts with anchors on them.”

Kate giggles. “Or those capri-length skinny slacks he wears in the summer with boat shoes?”

“Yesss.”

“How does he make metro so hot?”

“I don’t know,” I reply with a shake of the head.

Kate’s face sobers a bit. “Any luck on the job front?”

“Nope.” I groan and cup my face in my hands. “And I’m moving in with Mom and Dad next week so things are about as bleak as they can be.”

Kate chews her lip sympathetically. “You know it’s temporary.”

My lips turn down as the disappointment of my life washes over me. “Temporarily pathetic.”

She knocks my hands off my chin. “You graduated less than two months ago. As soon as you find the right job, you’ll be able to look for the right place to live.”

“I hope you’re right,” I murmur, grabbing my espresso and sipping the hot liquid. “Man, I thought finishing my thesis was hard. Who knew that finding a job as a pediatric counselor would be even harder? I’ve even expanded my options to Denver.”

“You’re not moving.” Kate shoots me a stern face, clearly not even interested in entertaining that notion.

I roll my eyes. “If I become desperate enough, I won’t have a choice. This is so frustrating. Getting my master’s was supposed to be the start of my life as an adult. Instead, I’m stuck in limbo and preparing to move in with my parents. Let me sob all the sobs, okay?”

Kate levels me with an unsympathetic glower. “Fine, but also keep in mind that you are hirable. You were offered a couple of social work positions already, but you said no because you’re holding out for something with more emphasis on children.”

I nod. “I know, but that’s only because I need pediatric experience to make my dream of opening my own specialty clinic even remotely possible.”

“I know,” she says encouragingly. “You’re not pathetic. You’re just being a boss bitch.”

That label makes me smile. “Well, I think this boss bitch needs to cancel her stupid Tinder date tonight.” I prop my chin on my hand. “I’ve been feeling like garbage lately. Tired, irritable, bloated. Who wants to hang out with tired, irritable, and bloated?”

“Don’t cancel,” Kate exclaims, her eyes wide and urgent. “A hot date is just the boost your ego needs. And this guy looked cute!”

I shake my head. “How hot of a prospect am I going to be to him? I may as well hold a sign up that says: Jobless, homeless, moody, stressed the fuck out, and seeking mediocre pity sex.” I cringe at that last part as my memory floods with images of the last time I had sex. Somehow, I know that any future sex I have will never come close to being as hot as that night.

“Stop,” Kate groans, shaking her head with a laugh. “You’re not pity sex material. Just go out and have some fun. Own your transition, because that’s all it is, a transition. This date will help take your mind off the job hunt. Plus, you seriously need to clean the cobwebs out down there. It’s been well over a year since Barry the Pharmacy Tech, and I wouldn’t be surprised if your lack of action is the reason you’re not finding a job. Sex improves confidence…that’s just plain science.”

I force a laugh and try to hide the guilty look on my face. I never told Kate about me and Dr. Dick hooking up. I might have if only my departure hadn’t gone so epically terrible. That’s a lie. I still probably wouldn’t have told Kate because I’m not ready to admit that slightly violent, argumentative, spanking sex is apparently my kink. That is something she would feast on for years, and I’m working to forget any of that night ever happened.

Now if only my dreams would cooperate with my desire to forget. My dreams have been ridiculously potent these past couple of months. So potent that I literally wake up in the throes of an orgasm.

I didn’t even know that was a thing.

I guess I made it a thing.

I often replay that night in my head, and I honestly don’t know what came over me. I waffle between being turned on and horrified. I can’t imagine what Josh must think after I got spanked and dashed.

Is that a thing?

I guess I made that a thing too.

I’m sure that night just further confirmed the fact that Dr. Dick thinks I’m one hundred percent crazy town, and he’s probably sleeping well at night knowing he dodged a bullet.

I exhale heavily and force a smile for Kate. “Fine, I won’t cancel my Tinder date. How’s Miles? You think he’s getting ready to propose yet?”

“I have no clue, but he’s been acting suuuper weird.” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.