I ask, "Why don't we change the topic. What would you like to talk about next?"
"You."
"That isn't how therapy works."
She tilts her head. "So talk about me."
"What part of you would you like to explore?"
For the first time, she smiles without pretense. A real smile. It's bright, startling, and utterly dangerous for any man. She claims, "There are parts of me you'd like more than others. Even if you're not ready to admit it."
I straighten in my chair. "This type of comment crosses boundaries."
She doesn't apologize. She doesn't even blink. Instead, her gaze drops to my collar, then trails up to my jaw, tracking each centimeter like she's mapping the texture of my restraint.
"I haven't crossed anything yet," she whispers.
I firmly state, "You need to understand something. This space is therapeutic, not personal."
Her lips part. "It's about me. How is this not personal?"
"Your internal experience is personal. Our dynamic must remain professional."
"That's not how attraction works."
I stop breathing for a second.
Attraction.
She wants a reaction with confirmation. She's grasping for power, but she doesn't understand the gravity of the word she just weaponized.
I reiterate, "This conversation is inappropriate."
Blue shrugs. "You asked what brought me here."
"I asked for clarity about the circumstances, not an invitation into your fantasies."
"Is that what you think this is?" she asks, eyes gleaming. "A fantasy?"
"Blue—"
"You didn't answer my question earlier."
"Which one?"
She lifts her hand, twirling a bright blue curl around her finger. "Do you like my hair?"
"No," I say too fast.
Her smile spreads slowly. "Interesting."
"We're ending here for today," I say, standing.
She doesn't move. Instead, she watches me rise, her eyes crawling upward with steady, calculated precision. When she finally stands, she steps closer than she should. Her face tilts slightly upward, and the curve of her lips softens. She murmurs, "You know, I thought this would be boring. But it isn't."
Not in the least.
"It was nice meeting you, Blue. Please schedule your next appointment with Shirley and come prepared to be honest in our next session." I open the door.
