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“I work as a counsellor for orphaned and troubled boys at a place calledCorporate Cares. It’s the other reason I moved to LA. I was looking for work where I could still make a difference in peoples’ lives, and when this opportunity fell into my lap, there was no way I could resist. I had to do a little retraining since I’m dealing with children and not grown men. Boys need a bit more of a softer touch; they need to feel that you’re their friend as well as their counsellor.”
I froze up. Emmett was practically social services. What would happen if he found out about the things I had to do to make sure Charlie and I got by in life? I gulped my bite of food down my throat that was suddenly closing. My heart began to pound and I was finding it difficult to breathe.
Emmett’s brow furrowed. “Olivia, are you okay?”
“I-I need air.” I rushed from the table and ran out onto the sandy beach. How ironic that this was the first time in months I had set foot on the beach.
I flicked my heels off and fell to my knees. I dug my fingers into the golden sand, hoping the familiar feeling would ease my anxiety attack. I hadn’t had one in such a long time. Exhaustion and constant fear that my son would be taken away didn’t help matters.
“Olivia?” I felt Emmett’s hand on my back as he knelt beside me. “Close your eyes and focus on my voice.”
I closed my eyes.
“Good. Now breathe in through your nose. Hold. Now out through your mouth.”
I followed his directions.
“That’s it. You’re doing well.”
I felt his hand rub against my back.
“Keep your eyes closed, Olivia, and tell me three sounds you can hear around you.”
I squeezed my eyes tight and listened. “Th-the waves crashing on the shore.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Music from the restaurant.”
“Good. It’s beautiful music, isn’t it?”
I nodded.
“What else?”
“Your voice.”
Emmett’s hand stilled and I snapped my eyes open at the realisation of what I’d just said. I found myself staring into his blue eyes. If I stared for long enough, I’d lose myself in them, in him. Then he licked his lips. Holy shit, I was so attracted to him, but at the same time, I was scared. Scared of what he would think of my life.
“That’s better.” He smiled kindly at me.
I gasped. “Wait, my bag! I left my bag—” My whole life was in that bag, along with my last fifty dollars. I could never afford to replace everything inside if it got stolen.
“Relax. I got it for you.” Emmett deposited the well-worn leather bag in front of me.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“You feel like going for a walk?” Emmett indicated the stretch of beach we were on.
“Okay.”
He helped me to my feet, and we started wandering along the water’s edge.
I practically hugged my bag. “I’m sorry I freaked out.”
“You don’t need to be sorry.”
“But I kind of ruined our date,” I said, shooting him a cautious glance.
