"Emily, we've got to go," my brother, Michael, called up the stairs.
"Coming!" I yelled back, putting the final touches on my make up.
I had a therapy appointment today; I went once a week for my anxiety. I'd refused to go for a very long time until I'd had a really bad anxiety attack at one of Michael's parties.
Luke had been there and had helped me through it and, after, had spoken to me about starting therapy. I wasn't particularly keen on going to talk to a stranger about my issues but since Luke was a therapist I was fine with talking to him.
I also suffered from a mild form of autism which he also helped me with.
The only reason I really agreed to go to therapy with Luke was because he was hot. And I mean hot. I'd had a crush on him for forever. I'd never told him, and I didn't plan to, but at least I got to sit in a room alone with him for an hour a week.
I hurried downstairs, quickly pulling a pair of shoes on before joining Michael in the car.
I could drive, my car was just being serviced at the moment so Michael had to take me everywhere. It was annoying and hilarious at the same time. Last night I had made Michael drive an hour to this special store which sold something I was in desperate need of but in reality didn't exist. He'd called me four times whilst he was there, saying he couldn't find it, before he'd realised I had made it up. I could not stopped laughing though it was safe to say Michael was not the happiest.
The drive to the hospital was short and soon we had arrived. Luckily, Michael found a parking space near to the entrance because I was way too lazy to have to walk very far.
Heading inside, I went up to the desk and signed in, the receptionist telling me to take a seat and that Luke should be ready in a minute.
Michael made sure I was alright before saying he would be back in an hour to pick me up, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead before leaving.
"Emily Clifford," a nurse called after I had been sat there for a minute or two. I stood up, giving her a smile, as I followed her back to Luke's office.
She knocked, Luke saying "Come in", before she opened the door and I stepped inside.
"Emily, it's nice to see you," Luke greeted me with a smile as the nurse shut the door behind me.
"You too," I smiled in return.
"Couch like usual?" He asked, standing up with a notepad and pen in hand.
"Yep," I nodded, heading towards it and then sitting down.
Luke followed, going to sit down in the chair opposite.
"Sit on the couch with me?" I asked before he could sit down.
"I don't think I'm really supposed to. Not professional and all that," he said.
"Please, you were literally at my house yesterday morning. If anything's unprofessional it's you seeing me in my pyjamas eating breakfast," I chuckled, Luke laughing too.
"I guess you're right," he said, sitting down on the couch, though at the other end to me. We sat facing each other, legs crossed.
"So how have you been doing?" He asked.
"Since yesterday morning?" I responded dryly. "Just great. I ate my breakfast then got back into bed where I spent the day."
"You know I meant since our session last week."
"Well I haven't had any severe attacks," I told him.
"That's very good," Luke smiled. "You say severe so I'm assuming you've had some mild ones."
"Only one."
"Ok, can you tell me about it?" Luke asked.
"Like what?"
"Like where it happened, how long it lasted, who else was there," Luke explained.
"Erm, it was at work. I don't know how long it lasted, I didn't exactly time it," I answered sarcastically "and as soon as it started I went to my office so I could be alone."
"Alright. Do you know what triggered it?" Luke asked.
"I had to do a presentation to some of my colleagues about a new project we're working on," I told him.
"Ok, and how did that make you feel?"
"That was a very therapisty question to ask," I laughed, mainly to avoid answering the question. I didn't like discussing my feelings, even with Luke.
"That's because I am a therapist," he answered "and it's important for you to talk about how you feel."
"Do I have to?"
"If we can talk about your feelings leading up to an attack, we can then decide the best ways to help prevent them from happening as we know how to deal with the emotions you're feeling," Luke explained.
"But I don't like talking about it. It makes me uncomfortable."
A small smile formed on Luke's face though I didn't know why.
"Is it me that makes you uncomfortable talking about how you feel? Because the last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable here. I would be happy to find you someone else to speak to if you thought it would be more helpful."
"No, it's not you," I answered quickly. You're the only reason I agreed to therapy in the first place, I thought.
"Then what is it?" He pushed.
"I'm embarrassed, okay?" I blurted, looking down at my lap.
"Emily, there is nothing to be embarrassed about," Luke assured me. "I'm not going to judge you in anyway. All I want to do is help you, okay?"
"But you will judge me, and I don't want you to see me like that," I told him, regretting it as I did. He was going to ask why and I was either going to have to lie or tell him the truth I had kept hidden for so long.
"How come?" Luke asked "You're allowed to be vulnerable here, Emily. You don't have to be worried about what I will think."
"I know it's just..."
"Just what?" Luke asked after I'd trailed off.
"I- I," I stuttered.
"Take your time," Luke said calmly.
"Stop being a therapist," I snapped. "I like you, alright?"
Luke looked taken aback. My cheeks flushed scarlet as I looked away from him, unable to hold his gaze.
What had I done? Luke was my brother's best friend, and my friend too. It would be so awkward now when he came round.
But before I could get into too much of a panic, I felt Luke's hand lift my chin and then his lips touch mine.
It was a short kiss, soft and sweet. He wasn't demanding or aggressive. It felt nice.
All too soon he pulled away.
"I like you too," he said and I could help but smile, blushing once again.
"Michael is going to kill me," he groaned, running a hand though his hair. Maybe I'll get to do that soon, I thought.
"Screw him," I smiled. Who cared what my brother thought? Luke liked me too!
"I'd rather screw you."
"Luke!" I gasped.
"Yes?" He smirked.
"You're ridiculous," I sighed.
"Says the one who likes me."
"So? You can think someone is ridiculous and like them at the same time," I protested.
"Do you want to go out then, this weekend?" Luke asked and, yet again, I blushed.
Luke smiled. "You blush very easily you know."
"No shit, Sherlock," I said, rolling my eyes.
"So do you want to?" He asked again.
"Yes, I would very much like to go out with you this weekend," I answered, unable to help the wide smile that was on my face.
Let's just say my therapy sessions were a lot more interesting from that point on.
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Word count: 1308 (1325 with notes)
Requested: 4/04/2021
Published: 12/04/2021
brideofharrystyles hope you enjoyed ❤️❤️