Page 48 of Save the Date

Emma burst out laughing.

“What the hell is going on?” Imani asked, instantly back to her in-control self.

“Imani, this is Will, my troublesome podcast producer you’ve heard so much about. Will, this is Imani, my coworker and favorite friend in the world,” Emma said with flourish. “Will stopped by unexpectedly and without permission to tell me our podcast has officially been picked up by his network.”

“It wasn’t already picked up?” Imani asked, as confused as Emma had been moments earlier.

“Consider it a technicality that is still worth celebrating,” Will replied as he offered his hand to Imani.

Imani glared at him instead of shaking it. “You made me think I was about to lose my license.”

“I’m sorry. I just always wondered if therapists actually liked their patients or not. And now I know. They hate them.”

“I don’t hate my clients,” Imani clarified. “I was just frustrated because my four-o’clock canceledagainand I know it’s going to be a hassle to get them to pay for it anyway. Even though it explicitly states in our starting paperwork that—” Imani suddenly lost interest in what she was saying. “Never mind. I’ll deal with it later.”

“What just happened?” Will asked, bewildered by her sudden switch in tone and energy.

“Emotional regulation,” Emma responded. “Now, let’s get out of her way.”

Will turned toward Imani. “Actually, if you suddenly have a free hour, I’d love to interview you for the show.”

“You want to interviewme? About what?”

“Your thoughts on the whole Save My Date thing—as both Emma’s friend and a relationship expert.”

Imani raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows and looked at Emma. “Are you okay with that?”

“Not even a little bit,” Emma answered honestly. “But I don’t want to be accused of avoiding criticism to push my own agenda.”

Will clapped his hands together with excitement. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

***

After some maneuvering, the group decided it would be best for Imani to sit in the therapist chair while Emma and Will shared the couch. Will put a shotgun mic on the coffee table and aimed it away from himself because Imani’s audio was the priority. He could always rerecord his questions later in the studio.Emma tried not to think about Will’s leg being so dangerously close to hers.

“Want to start off by introducing yourself to the audience?” Will asked.

“Fine,” Imani said as rolled her eyes. Despite the theatrics, Emma knew she was enjoying herself; once someone got her best friend talking it was hard to get her to stop. “My name is Imani Harris. I’m a marriage and family therapist from San Diego who now co-runs a private practice in Los Angeles with Emma Moskowitz. I combine an integrative approach with an emphasis on Emotional Focused Therapy, or EFT.”

“And what exactly is EFT?”

“It’s a modality that focuses on helping couples by exploring the root of their emotions and learning how to be emotionally vulnerable with each other.”

“Sounds awful,” Will joked.

Neither woman laughed.

“It’s one of the most evidence-based treatments available to couples in need,” Imani countered, completely stone-faced.

“I was just kidding. I’m sure—” Will noticed both therapists were now holding back smiles. “Andyou’re fucking with me.”

“Seemed only fair,” Imani replied with a grin.

Will laughed, just as happy to be the target of a joke as the instigator. “How would you describe your relationship with Emma?”

“Cordial at best.”

“Hey!” Emma protested. “I take you to all your doctor’s appointments.”

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