It was no use. Her thoughts just kept returning to him. Again and again. She tried to make herself believe it wasn't because she had feelings for him, but because she felt guilty. He was her friend and she had hurt him, badly, and, in truth, she had loved him at the time. Even though she tried to deny it.
She attempted to get on with her work, but he just kept popping up in her mind. She'd have to go and see him, to try and stop these constant thoughts.
"Will?" she asked, arriving at his office. He looked happy to see her, but still a little wary. That was her fault, she reminded herself. She'd married someone else, and she still hadn't told him that she'd also divorced that same man. "Can we talk?"
"Of course. Come in."
"Um, I-I just wanted to tell you that, um," she took a deep breath, "that C-Carl moved out. A few months ago. The divorce papers came through, uh, about six weeks ago." She had to sit down as she broke into sobs.
"Oh, Emma. I'm so sorry," he said, standing, moving round his desk to put his arm round her in comfort. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I, I didn't want to hurt you anymore. I've already made this so hard for us, for you. I didn't want to make it worse. And I thought I could handle it by myself."
"Emma, it's not your fault that things got difficult for me. I was the one that hurt you first, remember? You did exactly what you should have – you moved on with your life, without me. And you clearly can't do this yourself."
"I know, I didn't realise it would be this hard. I-I just need a friend to b-be there," she sobbed into his shoulder.
"Um, Em? As much as I am here for you, and want to be your friend, I don't think I can do that. I'm not quite ready for it yet."
She looked up at him, tears still streaming down her face, confused and hurt.
"I'm sorry. I want to be, really, but it just hurts too much. I'm still in love with you, Emma. I haven't quite worked out how to deal with the fact that we'll never be together."
"Oh!" She looked shocked at his revelation. She looked down and whispered, "please, Will. I need you. You're the only one that really understands me. It won't be for long, I promise. I just need a friend. I love you too. I think I always did, I just ran to Carl because I didn't want to get hurt again. It won't be long, until I'm ready to be yours. I won't make you wait forever – I know you're ready now, especially after last time."
"Really? You think we can make it one day? The two of us, together?"
"Yeah, I think we can. We're in love, right? Besides, I think the Glee kids will kill me if I don't at least try to make you happy."
"I think you're right there," he chuckled. "Not long, then? I can't wait forever, I'm sorry. It's just too painful, and I'm not strong enough to let myself hope then have my heart broken again."
"No, not long. Promise. Just, for now, be my best friend again? A few weeks, tops."
"A few weeks? I think I can manage that," he smiled, and she smiled back in relief. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Right then, let's go and get your face cleaned up," he said, taking her hand and pulling her into the corridor to find a bathroom and wipe away her tears.