“You’re joking!” Her jaw drops open, her spoon paused halfway to her mouth.
“Nope.” I pour two shots and pass her one. “I want to make a toast. Tonight is the last night I’ll cry, bitch, and moan over Dameon Hayward.” I hold up my glass and clink it against Cora’s.
“Damn right!” she exclaims.
The whiskey goes down smoothly before the heat inevitably travels back up my esophagus. I wince and wipe the back of my hand over my mouth.
“I need to move on. I can’t be stuck here, pining over his ass forever, when he’s out fucking other women. He’s not ready to let go of his past, and he may never be.”
“I really thought he would get his shit together,” Cora says, shaking her head.
“Me too,” I reply.
“Come here.” She scoots closer, wrapping her arm around me, and I lean my head on her shoulder. “I’ve told you this before, but I’ll tell you again. You’re a smart, hella sexy woman who’s not only compassionate but has the kindest heart I know. And, word is, you can suck dick like no other,” she adds, and we burst out laughing. “Seriously though, Dameon is dealing with his own demons; it’s no reflection on you. You deserve someone who’s willing to go to hell and beat down their demons for you. And who won’t come back up until the job is done.”
I chuckle at her analogy and wipe the few tears that have escaped from the corner of my eyes. She’s right. I deserve better.
“I know you love him. But your emotions are not a light switch that you can easily turn on and off. So, if you do think about him after tonight and mourn the loss of him, don’t be so hard on yourself. Give yourself time.”
Her words sink in, and I understand where she’s coming from. I do love him. And I still have feelings for him; I always will. But as I sit here with Cora by my side, I silently vow to myself that after tonight, I’m back, baby. No more being a shell of who I was, no more waiting with my heart in my throat for him to come back to me or desperately checking my phone for his call or text.
I’m done.
Chapter thirty-nine
Hailee
“I’mheretomeetDr. Aiden McKamey,” I say, greeting the hostess with a confident smile.
Today, I’m feeling unstoppable. I’m rocking a sleek black power suit, with bold red lips that match the soles of my stilettos. I’m ready to take on the world.
“Right this way, your guest has arrived.” Grabbing two menus, she leads me to a table where the esteemed Dr. McKamey is waiting for me. I suppress the urge to squeal with excitement. I want him to take me seriously, therefore fangirling over him is not going to cut it.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Dr. McKamey,” I say, eagerly shaking his hand. “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me; I’m very grateful. I have to admit, I’m a bit starstruck.” A nervous chuckle slips out.
The doctor’s smile crinkles the corners of his eyes. With his rounded stomach, white hair, and beard, he resembles a charming, teddy bear version of Santa.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Hailee. Please, call me Aiden.”
I reluctantly release his hand and settle into the booth across from him. The five-star restaurant is bustling with entrepreneurs and corporate types engaged in lunch meetings and negotiations. It’s the new hot spot of the city, the place to see and be seen.Dameon probably comes here all the time. And that thought can fuck right off.
“When Sophia called and mentioned she had someone dying to meet me, I was intrigued. It’s not every day a young, beautiful woman like yourself wants to hang out with someone like me,” he says with a laugh.
“Are you kidding? I’ve read all your books and dissertations. I’ve been a huge fan for years. I’m really grateful to Sophia for setting this up. She’s been looking out for me and my sister since we arrived in Australia.”
“She’s a good woman, and I could never say no to her. She’s been a close friend of my wife’s for years.”
“Thank you. I’m incredibly appreciative of your time.”
I take a deep breath. Dr. McKamey is a luminary in the field of psychology, revered for his sharp intellect and contributions to the community. I’ve avidly followed his work for years and of course, I’ve stalked his social media. While he’s gained influencer status with a substantial following, he never takes it for granted—he utilizes his platform to empower people to become better versions of themselves. He’s also a professor at the University of Sydney, overseeing its highly regarded psychology degree. And that’s why I’m here.
“What can I help you with, Hailee?”
In this moment, everything feels perfectly aligned, as if I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. It’s the start of a new chapter in my life—as long as I don’t blow it.
“I’ve been reflecting a lot lately, trying to figure out the path I want to carve for myself,” I begin. “Your work has been incredibly helpful to me. I’ve seen several psychologists and therapists over the years, and I still value regular check-ins—ongoing maintenance, if you will.” He nods, encouraging me to continue. “I owe much of my progress to the support I received. Your work has been a huge inspiration to me as well. I want to pay it forward and help people confront their traumas, empowering them to thrive no matter what may have happened to them in the past. We all have trauma to varying degrees, and it takes time and effort to acknowledge it and not let it affect our present or future. My dream is to study psychology so I can help others heal.”
“That’s wonderful, Hailee. I can tell you’re passionate about this, and coupled with your empathy, and what Sophia tells me is a formidable intellect, you’re destined for great things in this field. If you harness the full force of your brain, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.” He pauses. “I’d be happy to be your mentor if you’re open to it?”
