Page 72 of Heal Me

I nod and leave Alistair’s office in a bit of a daze, finding my own midway down the hall. As promised, my name is on the door, and my things are neatly arranged on the shelves and desk. I cross to the windows and look out onto downtown Seattle. Gunnar is never going to believe this. I pull out my phone, take a picture of the view, and send it to him.

Me: View from my office

There is no immediate response, which is a bit disappointing, but he’ll reply as soon as he can. I sit at my desk and notice two things. I’ve been given a brand new, state-of-the-art laptop, and there is a framed picture on my desk which wasn’t part of my personal belongings before I left. I reach for the photograph, swallowing the lump in my throat. It’s a picture of Gunnar and me at Alistair’s house, our heads together, smiling. It’s incredibly intimate and exactly captures the way Gunnar makes me feel. The buzz from my phone startles me out of my sappy haze. Before I can pick it up, it buzzes again. And again. Curious why Gunnar is spamming my phone, I glance at the screen to see several texts from our friends. I guess he shared the news.

Gunnar: You have an office now? That’s fantastic!

Gunnar:Congrats!tada emoji confetti_ball emoji

Tadhg: Gunnar told me the good news. Congratulations!

Tadhg:You earned it after what they put you through

Tadhg:Send more pics

Gunnar: Send pics. I want to seeeyes emoji

Quinn: Congrats on the office! T n G are v excited

Quinn:Please send pics before they combust

Quinn:exploding_head emoji

Unknown: Hi Jocelin. This is Tom

Unknown:Just adding my congrats. Good for you!

I add Tom’s contact information to my phone and hit save just before another text comes in.

Gunnar: Joce, where are those pics???

Laughing as I stand up, I get a full office shot showing the beautiful mahogany desk and matching hutch and bookcases along the back wall, as well as the gorgeous leather desk chair. I take a few more of the view out the window, then send them off, adding Astrid, Jules, Erik, Stef, and Blake to the group text.

Me: My new space at work

I sit down and take a picture of the photo on my desk and send that to Gunnar.

Me: This was on my desk when I sat downsob emoji

Gunnar: Damn! We look hot!laughing emoji

Gunnar:You look beautiful as usualkissing_heart emoji

Gunnar:Get a copy for home

Me: I’ll try. OMG I forgot to text my parents!

Gunnar: Shit. They won’t want to come visit again, right?

Me: LMAO

Astrid: Was in a meeting. Just saw the pics! OMG!

Astrid:Seinfeld happy dance gif

Astrid: Lunch is on me. I’ll pick you up in your new digs

Astrid:So happy for you!

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