Page 28 of Bishop

“Is everything okay?” I asked, giving him a small smile.

He took a breath and words began to just flow out of him. “Emmy, I know that I’m married. But ever since you’ve come back into my life. We’ve always just been so connected and now that you’re here…and it’s real, not just a flirty email passing between two old friends…the cracks in my marriage have always been there.”

I could feel my face morphing and my heart began to pound in my chest as I hesitated, unsure of what I wanted him to say to me. I stood gathering my keys, knowing it was time to go. “Will…I…”

He held up his hand interrupting me, standing too, a begging look in his eye. “Emmy, for years... It hasn’t mattered who I was with. I always felt like it was you that I was missing in my life.”

As I stared him in the eye, the desperation continued to be present. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“Say I’m crazy. Say that you haven’t thought about me in that way.”

He closed the distance between us, he searched my face and went to lean in as if to kiss me but I stepped back. “Will, I want you to know that, our friendship…”

“Fuck,” he muttered rubbing at the nape of his neck. “This was so inappropriate.”

Easing back, as if he were suddenly timid and still rubbing at his neck he took a breath. “Fuck, Emmy…I’m sorry.”

The second Will exited my office, he took the heavy tension with him. Disbelief wove itself into the pit of my stomachbecause I couldn’t believe what had just happened. Will was for one my boss, but most importantly he was married.

It was a line I could never ever cross.

Picking up my phone, I texted my sisters.

Drinks anyone?I asked.

Diamond was the first to hit me back.I’d love to, maybe tomorrow night. My husband just came home.

Ugh,Ireplied.I thought y’all were divorcing.

I can’t either. We’re about to help B.J. with her science project,Summer replied.

We may or may not still be doing that, but that’s not your business,Diamond texted back with a devil emoji.

Y’all suck,I hit send.

Shaking my head, I finally headed out of my office, sure that I wasn’t going to run into Will anywhere.

Exiting the building, the sun was just starting to create the most beautiful fiery colors. I breathed in the fresh air but found that it felt a bit sticky.

My phone dinged in my hand and I looked down to find Zane texting me again.

How was your day?The text read.

It was innocent enough that I found myself actually replying to it.Long and I need a drink.

So come see me,he replied.

I made my way to my car, and unlocked the door before getting behind the driver seat. Thinking back to earlier in the day, I remembered the fucking panic attack I’d had.See you for what?

For a drink Emmy,he shot back so fast I had to look over my shoulder.

I don’t think it's a great idea,I replied.

Glancing around the parking lot, I noted that there weren’t very many cars nearby in the employee spots. Mostly everyonehad gone home for the day, although Will’s car which I knew was a sleek red Chevy Camero was at the end of the parking lot.

Quickly, I looked away and threw my car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot.

The streets were still busy as people darted in and out of traffic. I found myself deep in thought.

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