"And your parents were?"
"Yes."
"Why would they be embarrassed?"
She pouts. "Because Brax showed up angry. And he made everything sound much worse than it was."
"Let's talk about Brax."
Her eyes brighten too quickly with eagerness. It's not a surprise. She's been waiting for that name to enter the room. She starts, "Brax is misunderstood. He thinks he knows everything, but he doesn't understand the situation."
"What situation?"
"He thinks I'm obsessed with him." Her voice softens. "But sometimes people tell themselves ridiculous things because admitting the truth scares them."
"What is the truth?" I ask.
She speaks so quietly, I have to lean closer. "That love isn't balanced. One person always gives more. One person always wants more. That doesn't make it unhealthy."
I state, "Many people would disagree."
She shrugs, and her tone turns defensive. "Most people don't know what love is. Do you know what devotion is, Dr. Mercer?" Her fragility from earlier evaporates. She watches me, sharp and assessing.
"Yes."
"Then tell me your thoughts since you're the expert."
"We'll get to that another time. Tell me, what do you want from Brax?" I ask.
She stares at my tie, then at my throat. She finally locks her gaze into mine, full of confidence. "Everything he won't admit he wants from me."
"And what does he want?"
She drags her eyes over me in a wicked way.
I force myself not to move, but my heart races too fast.
Her expression does a one-eighty. She shrugs again. "Why does it matter? He chose someone else. Not because he loves her. Because he has issues."
"Issues?"
"Yes."
I point out, "Because he's married?"
Blue's eyes narrow. "That too."
"What are the other issues?"
She throws my words in my face. "We'll talk about that at another time." She smiles widely, her obsession thick enough to taste in the air between us.
I push, "I want to understand what brought you here."
She scoffs. "I told you my parents made me come."
"You're twenty-five. They can't make you do anything. You're an adult," I declare.
She laughs, then puts her hand over her mouth, laughing some more.
