CORRIE

"You look uncomfortable." Emmette's voice pulled me back into reality. I’d just waltzed in, taken a seat, and suddenly the words I’d rehearsed a million times refused to leave my lips. I probably looked constipated, anyone could tell. But the truth was simple, the words were lodged somewhere in my throat.

I opened my mouth, hoping a sentence, any sentence would slip out effortlessly. Instead, my lips just parted uselessly, and all I felt was my voice abandoning me.

I shut my mouth again and cleared my throat, forcing out a dry cough.

"Are you okay?" Emmette asked, genuine concern in his voice. I nodded quickly and raised a...