Dr. Voss's office smelled like mint tea and old books. The same as always. Noah sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, staring at the worn rug.
"Tell me about the engagement party." Dr. Voss settled into his chair. Notepad ready. Pen poised.
"I told her I love her."
"Leighton?"
"Yeah. And Chloe. I told them both."
"How did that feel?"
Noah's throat tightened. "Terrifying. Like jumping off a cliff."
"But you survived."
"Barely."
Dr. Voss wrote something. The scratch of pen on paper grated on Noah's nerves. Everything felt too loud. Too bright. Like his skin was rubbed raw.
"What happened after you told Leighton?"
"She said she'd think about it. About trying again. Then Daniel showed up. Her boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend now. He saw us together and just knew." Noah's hands clenched. "He
