She had told him what she wanted and what she didn't want, but

orn between doing her job as a therapist and wanting to be with Ryan more. She 

at her notes, Emma received a call on her phone.

ing?" Dr. Lee said, her

t's going fine, I guess," she said. "I'm just really struggling with Ryan. S

ofessional boundary," she said. "But sometimes it's difficult to separate personal feelings fr

e said. "I have to take some time and see what's goi

erstanding. "Anytime, Emma," she said.

ong way ahead of her, she was determined to navigate her

n. She kept her relationship with him more formal in thei

ill into her. She noticed him watching her during their sessions, a

ice, Ryan turned to her and said

e careful, to keep a professional distance. "What

ing you would go out with me some time," he sai

e had not felt in a long time. She understood that she could not respo

last, doing her best to sound firm. "Look, I'm your

ded in understanding. "I understand,

 relief. She had kept her professional boundary, and s

sense something was rotten. She liked Ryan, and it

r future. She had been clear with him about her expectat

in her office, Ryan said to her,

not to get involved, to keep things professional. "Wh

ffee outside of our sessions," he said. "I swear it's not a date or something. I just really l

side of their sessions, but in another part of her, she was curious." She reassured herself t

replied, sounding uncertain. "I

ded in understanding. "I understand

ed in relief. She had been tempted

sense of trouble ahead. She did have feelings for Ryan, and

red about him was something that she had not anticipated, and she

therapist, and she wasn't supposed to have feelings for her patients. She realized t

Dr. Lee again. She sau hoping Dr. Lee could

She explained her crush on Ryan to Dr. Lee, and she

bind," she said. "But I think I can help you. "Why don't we

her. She realized that she needed help, a

f hope. She still had so much to work through, but sh