Chapter 2
Marley
Two weeks later...
I haven’t seen or heard from Asher Cunningham since our first session two weeks ago and while I would never admit it to anyone, I haven’t stopped thinking about him. The way his eyes ate me up. The way his fingers curled when he said all of those dirty things to me or the way he licked his lips when I shut him down.
I’ve tried to call a couple of times but he hasn’t returned my calls. I even had my receptionist, Clara, send him a letter, but nothing. Maybe he sought treatment elsewhere. Which is smart considering the strong attraction between us.
Attraction, really? Would you listen to yourself?
Of course he’s attracted to you. He’s attracted to anything with two legs and a vagina.
“Mama, I'm ready,” Lyla announces as she walks into the living room. It takes everything in me to stifle the laugh threatening to burst from my lips. Dressed in a rainbow tutu and blue leotard, she stomps across the hardwood floor with her neon pink rain boots, topped off with a monkey beanie.
She shoulders a small Hello Kitty purse. She has a thing for purses. Can’t go anywhere without it or her Shopkins that I know are stuffed carefully inside.
“Sure you got everything?” I ask, playing along.
“Yes, ma’am.
The knock at the door sends my thoughts flying and dread pummeling to my stomach. I hate every other weekend, knowing I have to send her with him, but the court order says I have to.
I move to open the door as Lyla beats me to it.
“Daddy!” she squeals, leaping into his open arms.
He hoists her up into his arms, giving her a big hug. “Hey, monkey butt. How was your week?”
“It was great! I missed you, Daddy.” Her tiny arms wrap around his neck.
“I missed you, too,” he says, squeezing her back.
He sets Lyla back down on her feet, bringing his eyes to me. “Marley,” he greets.
“Hello, Steven,” I reply before retrieving Lyla’s bag from the couch and handing it to him.
She has her own things at her dad’s place so I don’t bother sending her with much, just some things that remind her of home, like her favorite blanket and a few toys. Surprisingly, Steven and I get along rather well considering our nasty divorce. Although, I might not have fought him so hard if he hadn’t lied about everything during our marriage.
