He's Not a Man

Erica

Sorrow threatened to suffocate me as I watched him walk toward the elevator. A scream lodged in my chest, burning me from the inside out.

My pride wouldn't let me move, but my heart cried out to run after him. To stop him, throw myself at him and beg him to love me.

So weak. Pathetic. Needy. Everything my mom wasn't.

I turned and forced one foot in front of the other until I made it back to my desk. The large bouquet of flowers from Mitch was almost too much, but the gesture was sweet, kind. Poor Matt for having to see them. He had to be worried that I'd moved on after our weekend together. As if. I wished I could move on, but it wasn't going to happen for a while. No matter how perfect Mitch might be for me. I felt nothing more than an odd curiosity toward him.

"Erica. Is everything okay?" Joan's voice was soft, timid even.

"Yes." I sat down at my desk and looked up toward her as my eyes filled with tears. "No. Can you shut the door for me?"

"Of course, dear. I'll hold your cal