Page 70 of Mine To Hunt

For a brief moment I cling to the fragile hope that she’ll say yes. But after a few seconds her expression shifts, apologetic and sympathetic in a way that immediately makes my stomach sink.

"I’m afraid you don’t have an appointment scheduled for today." She says gently.

She turns the monitor slightly toward herself and scans the list again. "His calendar is completely full. Back-to-back sessions all afternoon."

She glances up at me again. "I’m not seeing any openings."

The words hit harder than they should. A wave of panic rolls through me, sharp and sudden. The memories from last nightsurge back with it, tightening around my chest until it’s hard to breathe.

"I…" My voice falters. "It’s an emergency." I try again, forcing the words out. "I just need to talk to him for a little while."

My fingers tighten against the desk. "I’m on the verge of breaking down and I don’t know what to do."

Olivia hesitates. Her eyes flick briefly toward the closed door of Dr. Nathaniel’s office before returning to me. The sympathy in her expression is genuine, but it does nothing to quiet the panic clawing up my throat.

"I understand that it feels urgent." She says softly. "But his schedule today is completely booked."

She glances back at the screen. "I could try to fit you in tomorrow morning? Would that work?"

I shake my head immediately. "No."

The word comes out too quickly. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as the anxiety spirals higher, tightening my chest until it feels like I’m barely holding myself together.

"It can’t wait until tomorrow." I whisper. My voice cracks. "I’m barely keeping it together right now."

I look at her desperately. "Please, Olivia. I need his help."

Our voices must have carried farther than we realized, because suddenly the door to Dr. Nathaniel’s office opens behind her. He steps into the reception area, his expression calm but curious.

"What’s going on out here?" He asks. His voice is steady, professional. "Is everything alright?"

Then his gaze lands on me. Recognition flashes immediately across his face. "Iris? Are you okay? You look really upset."

I nod quickly, but the moment I try to speak my voice breaks. All the emotions I’ve been barely holding back surge up at once.

"Dr. Nathaniel." I manage. "I just… I need to talk to you. It’s really important." I swallow hard. "I can’t wait."

The words rush out before I can stop them. "I feel like I’m losing my mind with everything piling up."

He watches me for a moment, his expression sharpening with concern. Then he glances briefly at Olivia. She gives a small helpless shrug. Dr. Nathaniel nods once before turning back to me.

"Give me ten minutes." He says calmly. "I just need to finish up with my current patient."

He gestures toward the waiting area. "Then I’ll call you in. Wait here, alright?"

Relief floods through me so quickly it almost makes my knees weak. The tight knot in my chest loosens just enough for me to breathe again.

"Thank you." I whisper. My voice shakes with gratitude. "I really appreciate it."

He nods and goes back inside, closing the door gently behind him. I sit down in the waiting area, but nervousness consumes me completely, leaving me fidgeting with my hands and bouncing my knee uncontrollably as the minutes tick by slowly.

Olivia glances at me every now and then, her peeks making me feel even more self-conscious and exposed, like my distress is on full display for everyone to see and judge.

"Is there anything I can get you while you wait? Maybe a glass of water?" She asks softly, her tone kind but professional, which only highlights how visibly upset and on edge I must look to her.

I shake my head, forcing a small smile that does not reach my eyes. "No, thank you. I’m fine. I just need to talk to him."

It has been maybe ten minutes, not that I was counting, the door opens again. A patient walks out, looking composed and calm in a way that contrasts sharply with my turmoil, and Dr. Nathaniel calls from inside his office.