“Let’s hope that message was clear enough,” she said to herself. She stepped out of the elevator and unlocked her car.

  I can’t wait to get home, she thought as she slid into her seat.

  -

  Lillian managed to get a spot a few doors down from her apartment. A small miracle in her neighborhood. One she was grateful for, considering the time. Lillian unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed her phone out of her purse.

  “No messages,” Lillian sighed. Either she’s asleep or she finally got the message, she thought.

  Lillian tossed her phone into her bag. She got out of her car and dug around the depths of her purse in search of her keys.

  Shit, where are they? she asked herself as she ri ed through the contents. Here fingers grazed the cold blade of her keys. Got them, she cheered internally. She made her way to her apartment, content with the little victory. But her celebrations were short lived as her eyes caught the sight of a red VW bug parked right in front of her door.

  You’ve got to be kidding me, she thought. She felt a heaviness in her chest as she walked towards the car.

  “Fucking hell,” Lillian muttered as she peered into the window.

  She balled her hand into a fist and knocked on the window. “What are you doing here?” Lillian asked firmly.

  Jen jumped in her seat, startled by Lillian’s presence. She smiled sweetly at Lillian and attempted to exit her car.

  “No,” Lillian said as she pushed the door closed.

  Lillian noticed Jen’s smile falter slightly at her actions.

  “What do you want, Jen?” she asked.

  Jen rolled down her window and reached out to hold Lillian’s hand. Lillian recoiled at the touch. “I just wanted to see you. I miss you,” Jen breathed out.

  Is this woman insane? We just had sex a few times. I made it SO clear at the time that it was just casual. Lillian stared at Jen in disbelief.

  “You haven’t replied to any of my calls or messages,” Jen explained.

  “And that didn’t give you a clue?” Lillian sighed as she rubbed her temples. “You have to stop calling me, Jen. Did you not listen to the message I left you earlier?” she asked.

  “I did, but hear me out, Lillian—" Jen started.

  Lillian put a finger up and interjected, “I’m not sure how many times I can go over this with you, Jen, but there is nothing between us. I’ve tried letting you down gently but clearly that hasn’t worked.”

  Jen’s face crumpled. “What happened? I thought we were having a great time?” she asked.

  “We were but—"

  “There’s someone else, isn't there?” Jen asked. “That girl that answered your phone today. It’s her, isn’t it?” she yelled.

  “Keep your voice down, Jen. It’s late,” Lillian ordered. She shook her head. “There is no one else. That was my assistant,” Lillian explained.

  “Then what happened? I don’t understand,” Jen said.

  “The deal was to keep things casual, I always said that. I don’t want a relationship. I was quite clear on that,” Lillian reminded her. “You wanted more.”

  Jen’s pained expression disappeared. Her brows furrowed and her nostrils flared. “Who hurt you?” she barked.

  Lillian stared at her blankly.

  “You’re going to end up sad and alone. So very alone. Me?

  I’ll find someone. I’m a great person,” Jen spat.

  “I didn’t say you weren’t, Jen,” Lillian sighed.

  “Just not enough for the amazing Doctor Foster, right?”

  she quipped.

  “I can’t do this with you, Jen, and you can’t stay parked outside my house like this either,” Lillian said.

  “Oh, don’t worry. I got your message loud and clear,” Jen spat. She started her car and pulled out of the parking spot.

  “Hallelujah,” Lillian muttered.

  “Screw you, Lillian!” Jen yelled out of her window. She stuck her hand out and flipped Lillian o as she drove away.

  “Charming,” Lillian chuckled. She pulled out her phone and checked the time. Great, she thought.

  Lillian scrolled through her contact list and pressed on Lori’s contact. She cradled the phone between her shoulder and her cheek as she fumbled with the lock. The line clicked and she heard Lori yawn. “Yeah?” she said sleepily.

  “Hang in there, champ. You’ve got another hour,” Lillian laughed softly.

  “Fan-fucking-tastic,” Lori cheered sarcastically. “To what do I owe this pleasure, Doc?” she asked. “It’s not like you to call this late.”

  “Can you free up a day for me next week?” Lillian asked.

  She unlocked her front door and stepped into her home.

  Lillian could hear Lori ri ing through her schedule as she waited for a response. “No can do, Doc.”

  “Please tell me this is one of your sick and very ill-timed jokes,” Lillian groaned as she plopped down on her couch.

  “Nope. You’re booked solid,” Lori said, “What’s wrong?”

  she asked.

  “You’re not going to believe me,” Lillian sighed.

  “Try me,” Lori said.

  “I come home and guess who I find parked right in front of my house?” Lillian asked.

  “Oh god. Please let it be who I think it is,” Lori laughed.

  “I’m glad you find pleasure in my women troubles,”

  Lillian responded flatly.

  “It was Jen, wasn’t it?” Lori guessed.

  “Bingo,” Lillian answered. “She’s gone now, but I honestly just need a break. I want a day o .”

  “What do you do to these women, Doc?” Lori chuckled.

  “I think it is the high powered doctor thing. They get all these ideas of marrying me and stu . They fall in love with

  the idea of me when they don’t even really know me. Are you sure there’s not one day I can take o ?” she tried once more.

  “Give me a second,” Lori said. Lillian heard the sound of Lori’s fingers typing on her keyboard. “I can’t get you a whole day but I can free up an afternoon?” Lori o ered.

  “Yes. I’ll take anything,” Lillian breathed out.

  “Alright, Doc. You have the whole afternoon o next Tuesday,” Lori announced.

  “Great. Thank you, Lori,” Lillian said.

  “Just doing my job,” Lori replied. “Have you got anything in mind for your afternoon o ?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I was thinking of getting a massage.

  Maybe even a facial. It’s been so long since I’ve had any time to myself. I’m looking forward to it,” Lillian admitted.

  “Hey, you don’t have to tell me, Doc. I schedule your days.

  You deserve it,” Lori replied.

  “Have you got any recommendations?” Lillian asked.

  “Sure, but what happened to that place you went to in Chinatown?” Lori countered.

  “They closed shop a while back. No idea why,” Lillian explained.

  “Probably a drug bust gone wrong,” Lori thought out loud.

  “I honestly wonder what goes on in that head of yours,”

  Lillian chuckled.

  “Plenty. It’s madness in here,” Lori laughed. “But, I digress. Back to you, Doc. If you’re looking for a place, you should try this Thai massage parlor in town. It’s called Pink Lotus,” she said.

  “I trust your judgement, Lori. Can you please—?"

  “One step ahead of you, Doc. I just sent them an email to get you an appointment,” Lori injected softly.

  “You’re a lifesaver, kid. Thank you,” Lillian breathed out.

  “Don’t mention it,” Lori replied. “See you tomorrow!”

  she heard the young girl call out before the line clicked and the sound of the end tone filled her ears.

  Lillian tossed her phone aside and sank into the cushions.

  Her feet were sore from a day of work and her muscles ached. This is good. You need a little break, she said to herself.

  Her eyelids fluttered. They felt heavy. I can’t wait for that massage, she thought before she dozed o .

  8

  T hank fuck, Lillian thought to herself when she heard a knock on the door.

  Natalie Bridgen’s expression shifted. Her lips were set firmly in a line.

  “Come in,” Lillian sang.

  “Hey Natalie,” Lori greeted.

  “Help,” Lillian mouthed to Lori.

  Natalie shot Lori a quick smile before she turned towards Lillian. “Where was I?” she asked.

  Lori chuckled lightly and cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt you, Natalie, but I just wanted to remind Doctor Foster that she has another appointment.”

  “Oh, really? I could have sworn I just got here,” Natalie mused.

  “Actually, your appointment was scheduled for 2pm to 2:30pm,” Lori clarified. “It is now 3pm,” she stated.

  Natalie opened her mouth to say something and paused.

  “I guess we can continue this conversation next time,” she said to Lillian.

  “Sure,” Lillian replied.

  “This is good. It will give me more time to do more research,” Natalie said out loud as she gathered her things.

  Please God, help me, Lillian thought to herself. She groaned internally, but her façade never faltered. “Sounds like a fantastic idea, Natalie,” she said instead.

  “Bye, Doctor Foster!” Natalie chirped. She made her way to the door but stopped in her tracks. “I haven’t scheduled my next appointment yet,” she said.

  “The nurses out front will help you with that,” Lillian replied.

  “But I thought Lori was your assistant,” Natalie questioned.

  “I am,” Lori interjected. “But I have a few things to go over with the doctor, and the other nurses are more than capable to schedule your next appointment,” she responded.

  “With Doctor Foster?” Natalie sounded unsure.

  “Yes, of course, Natalie. With Doctor Foster,” Lori repeated.

  “Okay, if you say so,” Natalie replied. “I’ll see you next week!” she said as she closed the door behind her.

  “Did she say next week?” Lori asked.

  “Yes,” Lillian groaned.

  “It’s okay, I’m sure the girls out front know the next appointment should be scheduled in four weeks,” Lori assured her.

  “It won’t matter when her appointment is,” Lillian sighed. Her body slumped and she relaxed into her chair.

  “She’ll come up with some cockamamie reason to come in and debate me on whatever pregnancy-related topic she can find.”

  “Really? Natalie? I wouldn’t have taken her for the type,”

  Lori thought aloud.

  Lillian shook her head. “She’s showing me TikTok videos with ‘certified medical professionals’ giving advice.”

  “Well, aren’t you lucky I got you out of that little pickle,”

  Lori smirked.

  Lillian nodded. “If I have to see another one of those godforsaken videos, I will quit,” she joked. She took her coat o and hung it on the rack behind her.

  “Will I be late?” Lillian asked. She was struggling with her files. “Fit, dammit!” she cursed. Lillian shook her bag and tried to stu her files in there.

  Lori walked towards her and placed a hand on her forearm. “Breathe,” she instructed. Lillian dropped her bag on the desk and sighed.

  “You won’t be needing these. Not today, at least,” Lori said as she grabbed the files out of Lillian’s bags. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I for one am glad you have the rest of the day o . You are definitely in dire need for some rest and relaxation.”

  “Is it that obvious?” Lillian chuckled softly.

  “You all but destroyed these files and your bag, Doc,” Lori said honestly. “Leave the paperwork to me. You’re o the clock and there’s a lovely Thai woman waiting to pamper you and possibly break your back,” she chirped.

  “Thank you, Lori,” Lillian replied. “What’s the place called again?”

  “Pink Lotus, Doc. It’s right next to that co ee shop you like,” Lori explained.

  Lillian glanced at her watch. “What time did you say the appointment was?” she asked.

  “Uh, 3:30pm with Cynthia,” Lori replied.

  “Shit,” Lillian cursed.

  “Sorry, Doc. I didn’t factor in the delay,” Lori apologized.

  “It’s okay, you couldn’t have known,” Lillian replied. She grabbed her bag and turned to Lori, “Are you coming?”

  “No, I’ve got some things to do but don’t worry. I’ll lock up. You just go,” Lori said. “You think you can make it in 20

  minutes?” she asked as she glanced at the clock.

  Lillian fished her car keys out of her bag. “I can and I will.”

  “That’s the spirit, Doc,” Lori cheered.

  “But just in case, could you—?” Lillian called out as she made her way down the hall.

  “Call them and tell them you may be a few minutes late?”

  Lori interjected.

  “Thank you!” Lillian shouted. She hurried to her car, trying—but failing—to take large steps. “Darn this pencil skirt,” she muttered.

  Lillian got into her car and sped out of the parking lot.

  She glanced at the clock on her dashboard to see that it was already 3:20pm.

  “You can make it,” Lillian said to herself. She maneuvered her car through the narrow streets and honked when necessary.

  The light was green and Lillian stepped on the gas pedal.

  Damn, she thought as the light changed to orange. Lillian eased up on the gas and shifted her weight on to the brake.

  This has to be the world’s long tra c light, she groaned. Why is it when I have someplace to be, time moves so much slower?

  she thought to herself. “Yes!” she cheered as the light turned green.

  Lillian turned onto the street and spotted the store front immediately. Now, if I could just find a parking spot. Her eyes scanned the busy streets and landed on a vacant space. It might be too small. She squinted her eyes to get a better look.

  Lillian breathed out a sigh of relief as she neared the spot; it was just big enough for her car to fit.

  She pulled into the spot and parked her car. Lillian glanced at the clock. 3:35pm. Cutting it close, she thought as she unbuckled herself from her seat and grabbed her bag.

  She slung it across her shoulder and pushed her car door open in a hurry. She heard the loud bang of her door

  slamming against a parking meter. “Just my luck,” she groaned.

  Lillian squeezed through the tiny opening and shut her door. She winced when she saw the dent left by the parking meter. “I’ll deal with that later,” she muttered under her breath. Lillian dug through her bag in search of loose change.

  She cheered internally when she managed to gather a handful or quarters.

  Lillian jammed the coins into the parking meter and tossed the rest of the quarters into her purse. She was jolted as she turned around and her body slammed into another.

  Lillian stuck her hands out to stabilize herself.

  The woman was struggling to regain her balance as her body tilted backwards. Lillian grabbed onto the woman and caught her in her arms before she fell.

  “I’m so sorry. I was in a rush and I wasn’t looking before I turned and—" Lillian’s mouth shut when she realized who it was she had just crashed into. She could feel her insides twist.

  “Doctor Foster,” Anna said. Her pale blue gaze was piercing.

  She chuckled as Lillian’s cheeks flushed.

  “I-Uh, Anna. Hello,” Lillian breathed out.

  There’s something so endearing about this woman. What is it about her that gets me flustered? Lillian thought.

  “Not that I’m not enjoying this or anything but I think I’m okay to stand now,” Anna chuckled.

  As if Lillian’s face wasn’t red enough from their close proximity, her face turned crimson. She could smell Anna’s perfume and it was intoxicating. She took a step back and scratched the back of her neck. “Sorry,” Lillian apologized.

  “No apologies necessary. I quite enjoyed it,” Anna said with a wink. “So, what brings you to this neck of the woods, Doctor Foster?” she asked.

  “I had the afternoon o today and Lori scheduled an appointment for me at this city spa called Pink Lotus,”

  Lillian explained.

  “Oh, I know it. They’re supposed to be really good,” Anna replied.

  “Have you been?” Lillian inquired.

  “No, I haven’t gone myself but my sister is crazy about these things and she swears by the place,” Anna said. Lillian stood there and nodded silently.

  “What time is your appointment? I can buy you a cup of co ee at the place next door,” Anna o ered.

  “I’d love to but my appointment was at 3:30pm and I’m running late as it is. Maybe another time?” Lillian explained.

  “I’ll hold you to that, Doctor. Well, I won’t keep you any longer, then. I’m sure there’s no one else in this town that deserves an afternoon of rest and relaxation more than you, Doctor Foster,” Anna said sweetly. “I’ll see you soon for our next appointment,” she said with a wink.

  “Sure, sure. I look forward to it,” Lillian blurted out. She watched as Anna turned away. Lillian couldn’t keep her eyes o the woman who was walking away from her. How her hips swayed in tight black jeans.

  She tore her eyes away from Anna’s hypnotizing hips and glanced at her watch. Fuck it, she said to herself.

  “Hey, Anna,” Lillian called out as she trailed behind her.

  Anna turned around, a playful smile on her lips.

  “Yes?” she asked curiously.

  “If you’re still up for it, I’d love to get that cup of co ee you mentioned earlier,” Lillian tried.

  Anna’s brow raised. “What about your appointment?”

  “Hopefully this place doesn’t close down before I can reschedule, but I’m so late as it is. There’s no point in going now,” Lillian replied.

  “Are you sure?” Anna asked. “It’s your afternoon o ,”

  she said.

  “I’m a hundred percent sure,” Lillian answered. “Besides, I’m not in the mood for a small Thai woman named Cynthia to break my back,” she explained.

  “I’ve heard tales of Cynthia’s miraculous but painful back-breaking massages,” Anna chuckled. “Well, this is an honor,” she said.