The Voices Never Stop

“It’s going to be okay. You can do this,” I repeat to myself for what has to be the hundredth time. Despite my best efforts, the words come out shaky and unsure. I feel panic crawl over me, and I try to remember the exercises I found online.

Breathe in.

The opinion of others doesn’t matter.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Everything is just background noise. Let it flow past you.

Breathe Out.

Breathe in.

You don’t want to be alone anymore.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

You can do this.

Breathe Out.

As I finish my mantras and the last breath leaves my lips, I know it’s now or never. Straightening my shoulders, I take one final look at myself in the rearview mirror. The smile I’m wearing looks fragile and like it may crumble at any moment, but that will have to work for now. Checking my phone, I know it’s time to go. With that, I exit the car and make my way to the restaurant, praying they won’t be too busy at 3 pm on a Tuesday.

As I enter the restaurant, I can’t see anyone waiting to be seated, but I can hear them.

Does Sarah know I’m sleeping with Jeff?

God, I hate this job.

I wonder which waitress I can convince to meet me out back on my break.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ignore all the noise assaulting me, but everyone is so loud. Pressing my palms to my eyes, I beg it all to stop; for everyone to disappear.

“Excuse me, miss?” I look up to see a pretty, young blond smiling at me. “I’m Sarah, and I’ll be your waitress today. How many in your party?”

All I can do is stare back at her. How did I think this was going to go? Not even in the dining room, and I am already overwhelmed. I count to ten and focus on my heartbeat to drown out all the noise. My racing heart begins to calm, and the conversations swirling around me fade into a murmur I can mostly ignore. Maybe I can do this.

I can’t wait to catch Jeff with Kate later. I know they are sleeping together!

Nope! I can’t do this. The conversations that had previously faded to low murmurs rise to assault me once again. This can’t be worth it. I would rather be alone forever than deal with this. My mind is so full of everyone’s thoughts that I can’t even say anything to the waitress. Pulling out my phone to cancel before he gets here, I turn to flee and run face-first into the door. Except, it isn’t a door at all. Warm, strong hands fall on my shoulders, and a spicy, musky scent fills my senses.

With the restaurant's conversations fogging my thoughts, I lift my gaze and find the most stunning green eyes staring back at me. I look up to see the man I was supposed to be meeting for a late lunch, and all I can do is blink and try not to gape at him. Dark brown hair, golden tan skin, and an easy smile make this man even more attractive than he looked online.

When I first saw Damien’s dating profile, I decided I had to meet him, even if it was a huge risk. Not only was he handsome, but he enjoyed a lot of the same things as me. I mean, how many men are willing to admit they love reading trashy romance novels? But no matter how gorgeous he is or how perfect he seems online, I know this can’t ever work. I mean, he must be thinking I’m crazy. Here I am, trying to leave before he even arrives. I know I must look frazzled and overwhelmed by all the noise. Surely, he must be thinking a litany of terrible things.

That’s when it hits me. As I look into his eyes, I feel a genuine smile start to bloom on my face. Where the conversations in the restaurant never stopped, I don't know how it's possible, but I can’t hear one of Damien’s thoughts.