“They don’t live in a trailer park, anymore.”
“Hey.”I soften my features, hoping it will lighten the mood.“You’re doing really well.I know this is hard.”
“At least I haven’t cried yet,” she says, then follows up with a snicker.
“Give it a session or three,” I say.“I hope you will come back, Avery.I think we can do some important work together.”
“Do you think I need it?”
“That’s only for you to decide, but I don’t think it will hurt you.On the contrary.”
Finally, she smiles.“I’ll take that as a yes.”She checks her watch.“Is the hour over already?”
“No.”I make sure my smile reaches my eyes.“We’re just taking a little breather.”
“Thank fuck for that,” she says.
Chapter3
Avery
“How’s your psyche?”Stella asks.“Is it healed yet?”
“Oh, god.”I hide my face behind my hands.“You bitches with all your feelings and this incessant need to discuss them.”
“Who you calling a bitch, bitch?”Sienna grins at me.“Seriously, though, how are you feeling?”
I have to smile.They mean well, that much I know.
I take a sip of water.“Dr.Forbes is quite the smokeshow.No wonder you cougar-lovers had so many nice things to say about her.”
Stella shakes her head.“It’s infuriating how hard it is to have a straightforward conversation with you.”
“Which is why we wanted you to see her,” Sienna says.“Not because she’s hot.I never even thought about her in that way.”
“For real?”I ask.
Sienna sighs.“It’s excellent that you’re seeing her.You should learn not to always deflect like that.It stands in the way of genuine connection.”
“Oh, come on.We are so connected.”I know I’m being obnoxious, yet I reach out my hand to her.
Sienna swats it away.“If we are, then tell us how you feel.”
“How many times do I have to repeat myself?I don’t have to tell you how I feel to be connected to you.”
“Let’s leave her be,” Stella says.“And I guess you’re right, Dr.Forbes is easy to look at.”I love it when Stella sides with me and we can gang up on Sienna for a change.“Although Sienna is our one-and-only true cougar expert.”
“Jesus.”Sienna’s not ready to let it go yet—there’s not a hint of a smile on her face.“I went to see Nic after my dad died.How she looked didn’t even register with me.”
“Sorry,” I say sheepishly.It’s not an excuse, but I didn’t know Sienna when she was going through the worst of her grief after her dad’s sudden death.
“It’s fine.I was also falling madly in love with Justine at the time, so my eye didn’t wander to other cougars,” Sienna says.
“Besides,” Stella chimes in.“The woman is your therapist.How hot she is shouldn’t be a factor.”
“I find it hugely helpful,” I say, which isn’t just banter, but also kind of true.
“Isn’t it more helpful that she’s gay?”Sienna asks.“That she can truly relate to that?”
