She nods and wrings her hands. “For this semester, yes. After, I’m not so sure.”
“Your story made the front page of the Daily News. Maybe you could get in touch with the editor and he’ll pay for a follow up story. I also checked with your school’s insurance and you’re covered if you’d like to keep seeing me. Regardless, keep going to our weekly group at Talon. You were raped and trauma will fester if you don’t talk about it.”
“You know? Last night was the first time I ever spoke of what my father’s friend did to me. I can’t believe the same thing goes on here, in America.”
“Sexual abuse happens everywhere, Rasha. You’re not alone.”
We talk for a little while longer and say goodbye, I look at the time, pick up the phone and call Dr. Ned Carlos. When he doesn’t answer, I leave a message. “Hi. It’s me, Dr. Smythe, just checking in. Are we still on for next week?”
The thought of going back to Utah sends chills down my back but I promised to do this thing and I’m not backing out.
When I check my emails, there’s one from Mel.
Hi Blake,
I’m so sorry about last night. I hope you haven’t changed your mind about taking over my group. I spoke with Grayson Securities and made some new arrangements with them. From now on, we’ll always have someone to guard the front door. He said they’ll vet my girls and be better prepared in the future. Let me know. Oh, and by the way? Jack mentioned he was waiting to hear from you.
I email back.
Hi Mel.
Tell Jack he has my card. If he lost it, you can feel free to share my number with him. As far as taking over your group, no worries. I love what you’re doing for these women and feel honored to be a part of it. And yes, if you can get Patten Securities to keep us safe, I would like that very much. See you at the next meeting. BTW? When are you moving?
Blake
Feeling pretty good, I finish my appointments and step out, stopping for Chinese takeout. Once home, I sit, and pick up my pirate romance where I left off. The heroine’s fiancé has rescued her from Bermuda and is taking her back home to London but the pirate is determined to win her back.
When my phone warbles, I almost don’t pick up because I’m so engrossed in the story.
“Hello?” Reluctantly, I set my novel down.
A low familiar voice sends my imagination spinning. “Hi. This is Jack. The bodyguard from last night? Melanie said you wanted to talk?”
Oh man.This is awkward. I’m pretty sure Melanie has decided to play matchmaker.
“Ah, yes. I did… We need to talk, ah, about security for our next meeting.”Real swift, Blakely.
There’s silence on the line for a while. “Do you want to meet up at Talon?”
“That would be nice.”Dammit, I sound stiff and unfriendly, not at all what I’m trying to convey.
As I hoped he wouldn’t, he takes my awkwardness as a sign of disinterest and his tone goes cold.“I can hook you up with a different consultant, if you’d rather.”
“Do you want to? I don’t mean to impose on your time.”I might as well cut my losses and get out of the game. I blew it.
“Ah hell, doctor. Let’s cut the bullshit. I called because I felt a connection last night. If you don’t feel the same, that’s okay. I don’t do this too often and frankly, don’t understand the rules.”
“That’s good. I mean the not-dating thing. Wait. I don’t mean that’s good, either.” Inhaling deeply, I start over. “Jeesh. I’m sorry for babbling. I’d like to see you again, too.”
“Good.” He chuckles. “What now, doc? Do I hang up?”
“First thing, call me Blake.And I do believe coffee makes for a good first date.”
“I figure we already had our first, last night.”
I stare at the phone, wishing he had Skyped so I could see his beautiful dark eyes and maybe know what he’s thinking. “I suppose we could call last night a date as long as we leave out the part about almost getting killed.”
“Agreed. Where should we go?”
