The Bodyguard

by Katherine Center

But instead, as my brain short-circuited, I felt that acid bleeding out from my heart and saturating me from the inside.

“She’s pretty tired, Bobby,” Jack said, pulling me sideways against him in a squeeze. “It’s Robby,” Robby said. “I’m getting a vibe like she really just wants to go home right now,” Jack went on. “Maybe it’s from the words she’s saying.”

I didn’t even share things with nonclients. Especially not painful things. But I suddenly understood why people did it. It felt like relief. It felt like dipping your feet in cool water on a hot day.

There’s nothing like the mutuality of a hug—the way you’re giving comfort but you’re getting it, too.

it’ll be like we never met.” “But we did meet, though,”