Page 18

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Kaia was at my place in less than an hour, for once arriving early.

Luckily, I had enough time to touch up my messed-up makeup from crying.

I also decided to change out of my crop top and jeans, opting for a silky black skirt that flowed past my thighs and a matching lacy tank top that dipped at my chest.

The restaurant that I naively chosen at the moment wasn't a place for casual attire.

My hair was still in effortless waves, that I didn't quite want to touch after her hands had been there.

I slipped on a jacket and black kitten heels, spraying myself in perfume before heading downstairs where Kaia waited for me.

Her silver Porsche sat running in the parking garage, my heels clicking as I approached it.

Kaia glanced up when I opened the passenger door, smiling at me as I slid into the seat beside her.

She wore a skirt just like me, the red material stopping at her mid-thigh and matching the halter top she wore.

Her caramel brown hair was down in messy waves, framing her face.

"Hi," she greeted me as I got settled in my seat.

"Hi," I murmured as I buckled my seatbelt.

There was a brief awkwardness between us.

It was gone as soon as we locked eyes, smiling like idiots as we leaned over the console to hug each other.

My smile widened as I squeezed her, inhaling her familiar Chanel perfume.

"I'm so happy you called, Libby," Kaia whispered to me.

My smile slowly faded, now remembering why I called her and what led up to it.

Her face flashed in my head.

"Me too," I suddenly forced out, trying to focus on anything but a certain therapist.

Who I knew would be disappointed in me.

But I truly don't care.

I'm not her problem anymore.

"We still need to talk," I determined, pulling back from the hug slightly.

"Of course," Kaia didn't hesitate to say, leaning back against her seat, "I really am sorry for that night—"

"You've already apologized," I cut her short, not wanting to hear the same words again, "I need to see your actions change—I need you to be considerate and supportive of my choices," I said, recycling the words someone else had told me.

I just wouldn't admit they were from her.

Kaia immediately nodded, parting her lips to speak, but I wasn't done.

"Actions, not words," I emphasized before she could say anything, "If your actions don't change then..." I trailed off, blinking a few times as I contemplated my next words.

What I was truly about to say.

But it needed to be said.

"Then we can't be friends anymore."

My words echoed in the air, glancing over to Kaia who visibly processed them.

Her brows were furrowed, appearing caught off guard by my bluntness.

Until she suddenly nodded a few times, "Okay, yeah, I'll do better," she quickly assured me.

"Okay because I'm serious," I made sure to add, hoping we wouldn't have to go through this again.

"I'm serious too. I'll do better, Libby," Kaia repeated, her words genuine and her dark eyes holding mine.

I nodded almost hesitantly, "Okay..." I trailed off, my eyes trailing her face for a moment, "One more try, Ki."

She smiled slightly, "One more try," she quoted my words back to me, reaching over to put the car in drive.

Then she held her hand out over the console, waiting for mine.

A smile grew on my lips, lifting my hand to place softly in hers.

It felt just like old times again as we listened to our favorite songs—singing our lungs out as I let all my worries fade away.

I contemplated telling Kaia about what happened with Dr. Leclair, but it felt too fresh to even talk about aloud.

It wasn't about crying or feeling upset.

My energy just felt too low to rehash it all right now.

Maybe in a few days, I can tell her—and hopefully she won't try to talk shit about her.

Not that I care.

I mean, I should totally talk shit about her.

It just feels unnecessary... all I want to do is forget it even happened.

"Damn, it's busy as hell," Kaia said as we approached the restaurant named Alto's.

I unconsciously glanced over to the nearby skyscraper, wondering if she was still far up in her office working.

Or if she'd gone home.

But then I quickly glanced away, wondering why I was even thinking about something so small.

It was weird.

"Maybe we should just go somewhere else," I sighed, now realizing we could've just changed our dinner plans.

Alto's was what I decided on in the moment—I picked a random restaurant nearby.

Now I'm realizing how much of a mistake that was.

I feel entirely too close to her right now.

"Let's at least check the wait time while we're here," Kaia said as we walked into the revolving door one at a time.

I nodded reluctantly, not wanting to mention leaving again or it would sound weird.

And then I would have to explain what happened.

It's also sprinkling outside, and I know the rain will get worse in the next few minutes.

"Good evening," the hostess greeted us with a friendly smile, her brown eyes on us as we approached her, "How many are in your party?" she asked.

"Just two," Kaia told her as I naturally glanced around.

It was a really nice restaurant.

There was dim chandelier lighting, soft piano music playing, and a recurring theme of the soft pink color highlighting the chair cushions.

This felt like exactly what I needed.

And maybe Kaia could stay the night tonight so I wouldn't be alone.

"The next open table should be ready in five minutes if you want to wait for it?" the hostess offered, glancing up from the laptop screen.

Kaia looked at me for confirmation, making me nod a few times.

Five minutes wasn't a long time, and I kind of liked this place.

"We'll take it," Kaia told the hostess after I had nodded.

The hostess smiled in response, "Perfect, I'll call you over in a few moments," she told us.

We both nodded, walking away from her to stand off where a few other groups of people were waiting.

"Aren't you happy we checked?" Kaia asked me with a knowing smile.

I jokingly rolled my eyes, "Sure," I said, leaning against the wall as I glanced over to the side part of the restaurant that I now had a better view of.

My face slowly crumbled, my smile stripped from my face and my heart stalling in my chest.

I unconsciously glanced right down at my heels, hoping to draw a minimal amount of attention to myself.

Because she's here.

Of course, she's fucking here.

It could've been any other night.

Not any other place since I guess it's nearby and all.

But what are the fucking odds?

"Why do you look like that?" Kaia laughed, probably noticing how I was full-on staring at the ground right now.

"Nothing," I quickly lied, but I still refused to glance up, hiding my face to the best of my abilities.

"Libby you're having a staring contest with the floor right now," Kaia pointed out in amusement, "Clearly, something's up."

I let out a deep sigh, determining I would have to give her something to go off of, "Okay, my therapist is here—"

"Oh my god, where?" Kaia curiously cut me short.

I quickly glanced up from the floor, "No, not where. I don't want to see her," I told Kaia as her brown eyes stared around the restaurant.

"Why not? I thought she was really helping you?" Kaia asked me, her eyes shifting over to the corner of the restaurant, "Wait is that her? I only remember that picture of her from Google when we—"

"Let's just lay low," I quickly cut her short before she could finish her statement, subtly trying to face myself away from Dr. Leclair and whoever she's with.

Wait.

Who is she with?

I suddenly turned back around, my eyes landing back on her table situated off to the side with a few others.

I could only make out the back of the other woman's head—her dark hair in a sleek high ponytail.

My face unconsciously burned at the sight, making me shake my head to myself.

It doesn't matter.

She doesn't matter.

"Come on, let's just say hi really quickly," Kaia tried to convince me, "I really want to meet her,

Libby."

I shook my head, but I had no argument to make.

Not unless I wanted to spill everything that happened.

I couldn't decide which was worse.

Telling Kaia.

Or having her drag me over to Dr. Leclair's table.

"How about you stay, I'll go," Kaia offered, walking past me toward their table.

My eyes widened, quickly turning around to follow her, "Kaia," I whisper-yelled, following after her, "Don't—"

"Dr. Leclair!" Kaia suddenly said, her energetic voice capturing the attention of a few people we passed.

And hers.

She glanced away from the woman in front of her, her stare locked on my best friend approaching their table.

Her light eyes narrowed, analyzing Kaia before she glanced past her—

To me.

I clenched my jaw, immediately looking away from her, and finally getting a good look at the woman she was sharing dinner with.

"Dr. Kincaid?" I unconsciously said aloud, taking in her familiar presence.

That's when I openly glanced between them, noticing Dr. Leclair was wearing the same outfit I saw her in just an hour ago.

Dr. Kincaid seemed to be in her work clothes as well.

"Liberty," Dr. Kincaid smiled, her dark eyes now focused on me, "How are you?"

I forced a smile, "Never better," I said, my words tighter than I wanted them to be.

"We just wanted to come say hi. I'm Kaia," Kaia happily introduced herself, "I had to meet the therapist who changed Libby's life."

I forced a fake smile, "Changed is definitely a word," I mumbled, glancing over to Dr. Leclair, who was silently staring at my best friend.

Or should I say analyzing?

I could tell by her eyes that trailed Kaia's face for a moment, briefly glancing back over to me.

Her expression was neutral, but I knew she wasn't happy about the interruption.

Maybe if it didn't involve Kaia, she wouldn't be as dissatisfied.

"Liberty does all the work. The credit goes to her," Dr. Leclair suddenly spoke, her words measured.

But her gaze didn't leave mine.

It made my jaw grow tighter, resisting the urge to look away first and lose again to her.

"She's pretty amazing, isn't she?" Kaia said, sliding her arm around my waist.

Dr. Leclair's eyes shifted away from mine, zoning in on the contact Kaia made with me.

The silence stretched.

And it was undoubtedly awkward.

Especially when Dr. Leclair didn't answer Kaia.

"She's really amazing," Dr. Kincaid spoke, filling the empty space left by Dr. Leclair's blatant dismissal.

It sparked my curiosity, noticing how Dr. Leclair glanced away from me and Kaia entirely.

I wanted to think it was jealousy, but I also knew it didn't matter.

Whatever was there, is gone—it all ended over an hour ago.

"How's the food here? We've never eaten here before," Kaia said, her stare drifting over to Dr. Kincaid when Dr. Leclair wouldn't even spare her a glance.

She's so fucking rude for that.

"It's really good. They're known for their pasta," Dr. Kincaid said as I glanced over, noticing the familiar hostess approaching us.

"Oh, I think our table is ready," Kaia suddenly said, subtly keeping her arm around my waist.

I didn't mind it.

Especially with the reaction I got from Dr. Leclair.

Whether it was jealousy or not, I could tell she was irritated.

That's all that mattered to me.

"So nice meeting you both," Kaia said, looking directly at Dr. Leclair, who nodded once in acknowledgment.

Yet she still stared forward—as if Kaia were nonexistent.

It felt so fucking unnecessary on Dr. Leclair's part.

"It was nice meeting you too, Kaia," Dr. Kincaid spoke for them both, smoothing over the tension as she turned to me. , "And it was also nice seeing you, Liberty."

I smiled in response, "You too, have a good night," I decided to say, backing away from their table.

"Take care, Liberty," Dr. Leclair finally spoke again, making my dark eyes snap back to hers.

I briefly held her stare, which was finally placed on something besides the table in front of her.

Her expression was neutral, but it felt like her eyes held a different story.

Irritation, disapproval, maybe even disinterest?

I wouldn't know.

I forced my eyes away from Dr. Leclair entirely, walking beside Kaia toward the hostess.

She smiled as we approached her, holding two menus in her hands as she motioned us along, leading us to our table.

Luckily, it wasn't near Dr. Leclair.

But I was still in her view sight, so I purposely sat in the chair facing away from her—not even wanting to fight the urge to constantly look at her.

"I don't like her," was the first thing Kaia said as we got settled at our table, "She seems like a bitch."

I forced a hum as I grabbed the menu, "Let's just not talk about her," I decided, not even wanting to discuss her in a bad or good sense.

Neither felt appealing to me.

"You don't think it's weird how she barely spoke to me?" Kaia asked me, her stare pinpointed on me.

Until her phone started buzzing on the table.

Kaia quickly declined it, focusing back on me, "She knows what happened with us," she determined, picking up her menu.

I pursed my lips as I read over the menu, "She does," I said, deciding not to lie.

Clearly, my therapist would know—or past therapist, I guess I should say now.

I glanced down when her phone buzzed again, furrowing my brows when she quickly declined it.

"Is everything okay?" I asked her, lowering my menu down to meet her stare.

"Yeah," Kaia quickly assured me, her eyes still focused on her menu, "It's just my dad."

I raised a brow, "Your dad? What does he want?" I asked, setting my menu down entirely.

"Nothing, it's just the usual," Kaia said, glancing away from her menu, "Would I be basic for getting spaghetti and meatballs?"

I smiled at her question, "Of course not. It's a classic" I said, glancing back down at my menu as I decided to leave the topic of her dad alone.

She clearly doesn't want to talk about it.

But it felt really hard not to.

Especially with her phone vibrating against the table every couple of minutes.

Even as we ordered and later got our steaming hot food, her phone still buzzed.

It was consistent and entirely distracting to the point where—

"What's going on Ki?" I finally asked, noticing she declined the call for the hundredth time.

Kaia shook her head, "Noth—"

"No, because he won't stop calling," I cut her short, setting my fork down, "What happened?"

Kaia remained silent for a moment, staring down at her spaghetti.

Until she suddenly sighed, "You remember that dinner I mentioned with him over text?" she asked me, glancing up to meet my stare.

I nodded, recalling how she mentioned her dad wanting to meet her for dinner.

It was in the last text she sent me—the paragraph that I read just a few days ago.

"Well, it was sort of tonight, but then you called, and you wanted to talk things out, and I couldn't miss that. I couldn't choose him over you—I also didn't want to go anyway so—"

"Kaia," I whispered, my face softening at her words.

Processing how she chose me over her own family.

Her dad's a dickhead, but she still skipped their planned dinner for me.

There are probably consequences to that.

My mother definitely wouldn't let that slide with me.

"I probably should've told you, but you seemed upset over something in the moment," Kaia admitted, and suddenly her hesitation over the phone made sense.

She already had plans, and I crashed them.

"Ki, you really didn't have to do that," I whispered, causing Kaia to shake her head in disagreement, "There won't be any consequences right?"

Kaia awkwardly pursed her lips together, "He sort of threatened to freeze all my credit cards," she admitted, glancing away from me when I let out a stressful sigh.

"You need to go right now," I said, shaking my head at all this.

I'm grateful she put me first, but I also don't want her enduring any backlash because of it.

"I can't, we're in the middle of dinner—"

"I'll be fine. You should seriously go," I said, not even wanting to know what else he would threaten if she didn't show up tonight, "Trust me, it's easier if you just listen or he'll hold more things over your head."

Kaia sighed, but nodded a few times, "Okay, yeah, you're probably right," she agreed, glancing around for the waitress, "I'll drop you off on the way."

I quickly shook my head, "No, You go right now. I'll pay the bill and get an Uber," I corrected her, motioning her to stand up.

God knows how late she is already.

From what I've heard about her dad, I know this won't smooth over lightly.

"But you'll be alone," Kaia pointed out with a subtle frown, not moving from her chair.

"I'll literally be alone for a few minutes while I handle the bill—then I'm leaving," I assured her, waving the waitress over, "Go Ki, and text me with updates."

Kaia pursed her lips in hesitation, clearly conflicted on whether she should really go or not.

"Kaia, go," I repeated myself again, watching as the waitress approached our table.

Kaia suddenly sighed, reluctantly standing from her chair, "Okay, but text me when you get home and—"

"I will, now get your ass out of this restaurant," I cut her short, my tone half joking and half serious, "Love you," I added with a smile.

Kaia rolled her eyes at me, "Love you too," she said, quickly rushing past me to exit the restaurant.

I shifted my focus to the waitress who stopped by the table, politely requesting the check from her.

I was unsure if Dr. Leclair and Dr. Kincaid were still here so I decided to handle the bill very quickly.

It only took a matter of minutes before I was signing my name on the line under the tip I left for her.

Then I stood from my chair, grabbing my coat and phone.

I pushed my chair in, refusing to glance once in the direction of her table.

Whether she was there or not, I wouldn't know.

I kept my stare strictly in front of me as I exited the restaurant, briefly smiling at the hostess when she waved goodbye.

But upon making it through the revolving door, I quickly realized I had yet to order my fucking Uber.

Fuck.

I quickly reached for my phone, standing under the small canopy as the heavy rain pounded against it.

It was dark outside, the city lights illuminated under the dark sky.

My eyes trailed my bright phone screen as the Uber app loaded, noticing the closest ride was fourteen minutes away.

Fuck my life.

I let out a deep sigh, clicking the confirmation button anyway and deciding to wait.

And not inside that restaurant.

I would rather stand under a canopy during a heavy Seattle rainstorm than go back in that restaurant where she's potentially still seated.

It wasn't worth the risk to me.

Especially not without Kaia by my side.

I really hope everything goes well with her dad.

Being over an hour late probably won't help, but it's definitely better than not showing up at all.

I glanced back down to my phone screen, my eyes following the Uber's location on the screen.

Still fourteen minutes.

The driver looks like they're at a standstill, not moving on the screen.

Maybe I could pretend that I have to use the bathroom.

No.

It's too late.

I left a couple of minutes ago, it would be weird to go back inside.

Fuck.

I let out a frustrated sigh, trying my best to step further to the side when I heard the revolving door behind me.

I awkwardly stared forward, trying to seem somewhat normal under this stupid fucking canopy.

"Liberty?"

My heart physically sunk down to my stomach, hearing Dr. Kincaid's familiar voice.

I wanted to pray that Dr. Leclair had left early, but I knew better.

"Oh hey," I forced out, trying not to sound awkward as I turned around to face Dr. Kincaid.

And Dr. Leclair who stood beside her.

I just refused to look in her direction.

This is so fucked.