Harriet peered cautiously into Zoey's office. It had been days since she last saw her, and the absence weighed heavily. Trying to appear casual, she slid her hands into her coat pockets, walking slowly as she scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zoey.
"Well, well, look who we have here." Harriet winced at the sound of that familiar voice. She didn't need to turn to know who it was. When she did, she saw her mother, Maggie, standing with her arms crossed, a teasing smile on her face. "What brings you here, sweetheart? Looking for someone?"
Clearing her throat, Harriet shrugged, trying to play it off. "No one, Mom. Just... taking a stroll."
Maggie raised an eyebrow. "Really? Just strolling, huh? Because this doesn't seem like your usual route, Doctor." Her smile widened, a playful glint in her eyes.
Sighing, Harriet rubbed her temples. "It's just that..." She hesitated, glancing at her mother before looking away. "I was hoping to find your secretary."
"Zoey?" Maggie asked, her tone knowing. "You're looking for Zoey, aren't you?" When Harriet nodded, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck, Maggie chuckled.
"I just need to talk to her," Harriet muttered, avoiding her mother's gaze. There was something she needed to get off her chest, but the more she thought about it, the more uncertain she felt. She wasn't sure how Zoey felt after their last encounter. Was she into women? Did Harriet read everything wrong? She kept telling herself it wasn't entirely her fault, but guilt weighed heavy on her mind.
Maggie motioned towards her office. "Care to join me for a chat?" She didn't wait for an answer, heading towards her office with a glance back to make sure Harriet was following.
Once inside, Harriet sank into the couch, exhausted by the confusion swirling in her mind. Maggie sat down on a nearby chair, shaking her head at her daughter's dramatic posture. "So, want to tell me what's really going on, dear?"
Harriet sighed, leaning back into the couch and staring up at the ceiling as if it could offer some answers. "I don't know, Mom," she began, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "I mean, it's complicated. I messed up."
Maggie raised a brow, her expression softening with curiosity. "Messed up how? Does this have to do with Zoey?"
"Kind of," Harriet muttered, fidgeting with her fingers before letting out a sigh. "I don't know, Mom."
Maggie chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It's been a while since I've seen you this conflicted, Harriet. The last time you looked this torn was when you were trying to figure out how to tell Sophie you liked her," she said, her eyes gentle yet probing.
"Mom..." Harriet's voice dropped, uncomfortable with the mention.
Maggie's expression softened. "Harriet, sweetie," she said, moving to sit beside her daughter, gently squeezing her hand. "I wasn't born yesterday. I've noticed how close you and Zoey are getting. I'm not against it, not at allâbut I'm concerned about you."
Harriet shifted, avoiding her mother's gaze. "It's not like that."
Maggie sighed, her tone patient but firm. "It's been so long since I've seen that spark in your eyes. Whatever's complicating things, maybe it's time to give it clarity, don't you think?"
Harriet swallowed hard. "Mom, I still haven't moved on from Sophie."
"It's been years, Harriet," Maggie said softly, her voice tinged with concern. "Sophie's been gone for a long time, but you're still holding onto her like your life ended the day she did."
She cupped Harriet's face, making her meet her gaze. "Moving on doesn't mean forgetting Sophie. It means carrying her memory with you, as a part of you. But you can't stop living your life because of that loss. Moving forward is part of healing."
Harriet blinked back tears, her voice barely audible. "I don't know how to let go."
Maggie smiled, brushing a stray tear from Harriet's cheek. "You don't have to let go of the love you had for her, but you need to let go of the pain that's holding you back. You're not too old to start over, and you're too young to close the book on your life."
She pressed her hands gently against Harriet's cheeks. "You deserve to find happiness, Harriet. We want that for you. And if Zoey is part of that, don't be afraid of it."
Harriet was silent for a long moment, her mind racing.
"And Zoey's not avoiding you, if that's what you're thinking," Maggie added, standing up and moving back to her desk. "I sent her to France for a month to be with Riley. But they'll both be back in time for the Pinnacle Summit."
Maggie paused, glancing back at her daughter. "You should come too, Harriet. Zoey will be there with us."
Harriet slouched back on her couch, staring into the glass of tequila she held. Her thoughts raced, replaying everything her mother had said earlier. With a heavy sigh, she tipped her glass and downed the last of its contents, the burn barely registering as her mind continued to spin.
She let out a low chuckle, muttering to herself, "All I wanted was to apologize for kissing her that night, Mom, nothing more. I'm not romantically involved with your secretary."
The words felt hollow, as if she were trying to convince herself more than anyone else. Harriet sighed again, rubbing her forehead. She had no idea how things would go once Zoey returned. Would Zoey even want to hear her out? Harriet wasn't sure. All she knew was that she regretted not being able to control herself, for giving in to the heat of the moment.
"Damn it," she muttered, touching her lips as if the memory of that kiss still lingered. A soft laugh escaped her as she shook her head. "But... she's a damn good kisser though."
Harriet felt drowsiness pulling her under, her body sinking into the sofa. The room dimmed as sleep overtook her, until a familiar voice stirred her from the haze.
"Harriet... Harriet," the soft voice called, accompanied by a gentle touch on her shoulder. "Wake up, sleepyhead. You're not supposed to be here," the voice coaxed, pulling her out of her slumber.
Groggily, Harriet opened her eyes, her vision blurry, but the face before her became unmistakable. She blinked in disbelief, her heart pounding. "Sophie? Sophie, is that really you?" she sat up, her voice shaky with both hope and fear. "Sophie..." she whispered again, her breath catching in her throat.
Sophie stood there, silent, her gaze steady but unreadable. Harriet stared, waiting for somethingâanything. "Did I do something wrong?" Harriet's voice cracked as she searched Sophie's face for a response. "Please... say something."
Sophie tilted her head slightly, her expression soft yet distant. "Harriet, it's time for you to let go," she said quietly. "I'm gone. You know that."
Harriet felt as if the words had physically struck her, the truth pressing down on her chest. She froze. "How am I supposed to carry on without you?" she murmured, lowering her gaze, her voice barely a whisper.
"You can, Harriet. You have to," Sophie's voice was tender, yet firm. "There's still so much ahead of you, so many chances to be happy. Don't let those slip away because of me. Please... don't be so hard on yourself. Live for yourself, Harriet. Find happiness, so I can rest in peace knowing you're okay."
Harriet reached out, desperate to hold onto Sophie, but the image of her began to fade, blurring at the edges. "No... don't go. Please, don't leave me," Harriet begged, her voice breaking as Sophie slipped further away.
A sudden thud jolted her awake. Harriet's eyes flew open, her heart racing as her hand reached up to her cheeks. Tears? She chuckled bitterly, wiping them away. She'd dreamt of Sophie again.
Looking around, she noticed her glass had fallen to the floor. With a weary sigh, she bent down to pick it up, her mind still reeling. "If you want me to be happy, Sophie... I guess I have no choice but to try. At least, I owe you that much."