My eyes squint in the sun as I make my way to my car. How the fuck is it Monday already? I feel like my weekend disappeared faster than I could recognize it. I cleaned the house because I know I won't during the week. I planned out the weeks meals to keep myself accountable. I'm terrible about ordering food out. Work mentally exhausts me. Listening to people complain about their spouses, trauma dumping on me, addicts asking for more methadone, just makes me want to sleep.Listening to my "hype" playlist as I drive to work, I'm hoping it helps my coffee kick in. As I pull into the parking lot, I realize I'm running late. I grab my bag, lock my car and swiftly make my way inside the building. I step into the elevator and press the number four. I look down at my phone to check my Facebook when I hear someone call out "hold on wait!". I look up and my eyes widen. It's Christine. I jerk my hand forward to make sure the doors don't close. "Thanks" she says breathlessly.

Her smile makes my heart skip. I'm usually not attracted to women like her. She's sporty. I look her up and down to examine her attire. A plain white t-shirt, grey joggers and bright orange Nikes. Her shirt falls loose around her but not enough for me not to see the shape underneath. She works with mostly kids so I get her ability to wear that to work, especially with all the play therapy she does. Meanwhile I'm in black slacks, a satin purple shirt, a grey blazer and flats. I've never been comfortable in professional attire. I would much prefer to wear sweats or pajamas. Christine smiles at me again. "Katherine right?" I scrunch my nose. She lets out a small giggle and I smile at her. "I prefer Kat. Katherine makes me feel like I'm an adult and I'm just pretending to be one". Christine chortles, "Well you're a Doctor so I'm pretty sure you're a grown up". I roll my eyes and smirk. "Fine. Call me Dr. Jones then", I snap. Christine's eyes widen. "I'm joking". She laughs and relaxes. "Oh sorry. I'm not used to you yet." Her eyes fix on mine and I could get lost in that ocean.

"So I see your married" she says, pointing to my hand. Her comment jerks me out of my fantasy. "Oh yeah", I sigh, "15 years next month". Christine's eyes fix on mine again. "I've been married for 15 years too! Feels like forever right?". I raise my eyebrows and nod. You don't need to remind me just how unattainable you are. I feel the snide comment roll off my tongue before I can stop it. "So Lacey is your wife right?". Christine's cheeks flush with pink and she looks at the floor. Her lifts her head and stares at me. "Oh no, she's just a friend. My wife works at the police department." Great. So she's capable of murdering me and has the means to cover it up. "Oh" I gasp, acting like I didn't already know the answer to my question. Christine presses her lips together and all I want to do is bite them. "There are a lot of rumors about Lacey and I. I try not to acknowledge them.". I watch her eyes trail the floor. She looks ashamed. "Listen", breaking the awkward silence between us, "No one knows everything everyone is dealing with. I firmly believe in finding happiness where you can. Trust me. I've been thinking of suggesting getting a girlfriend to my husband". I let out a small chuckle. Christine's eyes shoot up and pierce mine. My heart firmly settles in my throat. "You're....." she trails off. "Yeah I'm bi. What can I say? I'm greedy", a sinful grin creeps across my face. Christine's cheeks flush again.

The elevator opens and she follows me out. Christine's office is in the opposite direction, she seems eager to continue the conversation. As I'm unlocking my door, I hear an annoying voice creep up behind me. "Hey there newbie", Lacey smiles and all I want to do is punch her in the face. "Whatcha talking about?" she asks, her voice high and irritating. Before I could answer Christine steps between us and responds. "Oh just that Kat is thinking about talking to her husband about getting a girlfriend on the side". Lacey's eyes widen, "Oh really?". I glare at her. I want to strangle her until her pretty skin is purple. "Yeah" I say gruffly, "I figure asking him for a girlfriend is better than cheating on him". Lacey's eyes narrow at me. I grin like the Cheshire Cat. "So what's your type then?", Lacey sneers. I glance quickly at Christine and then back to Lacey. "I'm not picky but don't worry I'm not going to try and steal your girl". Liar. Lacey arches her brow. "I'm not worried". I'm tempted to roll my eyes again. She barely knows me and she's flaunting her affair in my face. "Well I guess I need to get to work. I have a full day ahead of me". Lacey turns to walk out the door and realizes Christine isn't following her, causing her to scowl. Christine sees the looks and immediately follows behind her. "I guess I'll see you later" she says, with a sad tone in her voice. Damn, don't make it sound so disappointing we work on the same floor. Both women disappear from my sight and I turn on my computer. "They should just fuck in the hallway and get it over with", the husky voice filling my doorway. Jackie looks comfortable for a psychologist. She's in leggings, flats, and an oversized shirt. She still looks professional but I feel like if I tried to wear that same outfit I would look homeless. I snort, "they really don't try to hide it do they?". She smiles at me. "Nope. And it's the talk of the office. I don't know why everyone finds their sex life so entertaining. Maybe it's because it's so scandalous". I shrug. Everyone loves office drama. "Hey I'm ordering out today from a local deli. Let me know if you want anything". I shake my head, "I was good and brought lunch today but thanks for the offer". She tilts her head and walks back to her office.

The day drones on. I didn't have a full day like I lied to Lacey earlier. Being a new psychologist in the building means I have to build up my clientele. I know I'll get all the new referrals because Jackie is practically booked up. I don't mind. It isn't until 1pm before I get my first client. She's an older woman, with soft grey curls, thin rimmed glasses, and an old leather handbag that looks like it was left outside for too long. Wrinkles dance across her skin and meet her sage green eyes. She recently lost her husband and needed something to help her sleep. She wasn't used to being in the bed alone. I sympathized. Raven often works nights which means it's just me and the kids during the week. Leaving me to go to bed alone. I hate it. I prescribe her Ambien and warn her of the side effects. I schedule her visit two weeks from now, letting her know to keep a diary of how well she sleeps.

Before I realize it, the clock reads five and I can go home. By now I'm sure my kids are watching TV or playing video games. I have a love/hate relationship having two teenagers in my house. They probably filled themselves on junk food so I will need to make something for myself for dinner. I quickly pack my bag, turn off the lights, and lock my office door. My skin prickles as I inhaled a scent that almost brings me to my knees. Christine. How the hell she still smells so good at the end of the day floors me. My eyes meet hers. "Have a good day?", her smile making my knees quake. "Eh, wasn't terrible, wasn't great", I reply, trying to keep my voice from trembling. Christine flashes a smile and steps back to let me pass. She presses the elevator button and we both stand in silence. The air is thick with tension and I feel like Christine is going to chew through her lip. Finally, she takes a deep breath like she's working up the courage to ask me a question she's not sure she wants the answer to. " So, ummm", she trails off. "Yes?", I respond, keeping my eyes fixed on the shiny metal doors. "I'm not you're type, huh?". My head whips towards her. She has caught me off guard. "Why would you ask that?", responding cooly, trying to keep the nervous lump in my throat in check. She stares at her orange shoes as she kicks the carpet underneath them, like she's going to magically kick up a response. "I dunno, just what you said to Lacey earlier". I turn my head back to the metal doors. I inhale, trying to figure out how to answer her without giving myself away. Before I can she says, "Well that's alright. But you're definitely mine". My eyes widen. My breath hitches and I can feel the sweat gathering on the back of my neck. "Thank you" my voice rises at the end like I'm asking a question. Her eyes drop to the floor as the doors open. Idiot.

We ride the elevator down in silence. My heart thrashing in my chest. My hands grip my bag tightly, my knuckles turning white. Great, now she definitely thinks she's not my type and that thought couldn't be further from the truth. The doors slide open and Christine turns to me, "See ya", and she swiftly walks towards the main doors. I sigh. Dammit Kat you're an idiot.

I trudge to my car. By the time I get home it's pouring outside. I pull in the driveway and see Raven's car. He works in construction so I'm guessing the rain put his work tonight on hold. I walk through the door and smell spice, tacos. He cooked. Thank god. Raven's eyes meet mine, "They canceled our job because of this stupid rain so I figured I would make dinner". I smile. I don't think he knows how much it means to me that he does that, just makes dinner because he knows how tired I will be when I get home. I pour myself a glass of wine and pause at the counter. "Whats up babe?", he asks as he continues to fry the strips of chicken on the stove. My mouth waters from the smell. "Remember how we always joke that you need a girlfriend? You know for things that I won't do?". He nods but doesn't turn towards me. "Well, I think you should. And I think I want one too". He stills. Slowly Raven looks towards me and I worry that he's going to lose his shit. "You know I was only joking right?". I shrug. "Babe, I don't know. Are you sure?". I know I'm not sure. The thought of his hands on any body but mine makes my blood begin to boil. I swallow hard and twirl my fingers around my wine glass. "I mean I've thought about it and I think it's a good idea". Liar. He sighs and stares at the sizzling chicken. It feels like ten years pass between us. "I'll have to think about it". My stomach drops and I'm oddly disappointed. Not because I want him to get a girlfriend but because I do. I'm not going to push him and I sure as hell am not going to tell him I already have someone in mind. We eat dinner together and he retreats to his office. I shower and then snuggle up in bed with a book. I can't focus on it. I still feel like I can smell Christine and feel her sun kissed skin so close to mine. I grumble. You moron. Let it go. It's not going to happen. Go to sleep. I close my book and drift to sleep. I wonder what she sounds like when she comes.