I replied quickly. “I’m fine.” But my thoughts were clamoring, my need to care for him nearly overpowering. “I’ll be in the downstairs gym if you need anything.”
“Right.” The muscles around his eyes tightened.
“Will you come down for dinner at seven?”
“With you?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“I—I guess.”
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
When I walked away, I didn’t hear the door close. He was watching me. Had I confused him? Well, hell, I was confusing myself. Maybe all this was bringing up old thoughts of Rupert. I had had strange dreams last night. It could be I was reacting to that, like a long-term ghostly feeling had caught hold of me all these years later.
On the way to the gym, I took my phone from my pocket and brought up Danon’s number. He was the counselor I’d talked to after Rupert passed. At first it was twice a week. Later, once a month until finally I didn’t need him anymore. He’d been a good therapist. Someone I trusted. Now I saw him a couple times a year for sessions and occasionally at social events associated with some of my businesses. He had an office but had never made me go through his secretary. I still paid him for his time, but our appointments felt easier and more casual for me if we could have them over a meal or coffee.
I texted him.
Do you have time to talk? Maybe tomorrow? Nothing urgent but hopefully sooner rather than later.
I heard back within thirty seconds, just as I was walking into the gym.
Tomorrow would be fine. Afternoon is best. You? And where should we meet?
It needed to be out of the house. I didn’t want Malin or Kirion to know, though I wasn’t sure why I was hiding the fact that I had a therapist. Lots of people did.
I hurriedly texted back.
Two. Coffee at the Knave?
I’ll be there.
I turned my phone off and looked up. Malin was just getting off a stationary bike. He had a white towel draped around his neck.
“I was just finishing up.” He could not keep the sour tone from his voice.
“No hurry,” I said.
I headed toward the closet where I kept my sweats, trying to ignore him, but there were mirrors all along one wall and half of another. I could see him staring at me. I turned back to face him.
“Are you off on a trip again soon?”
He shrugged. “Yeah. I like traveling. I’m not ready to anchor somewhere permanently yet. Why?”
“Just asking.”
He frowned, one eye twitching. “What are you going to do with him, Dad?”
“Who?”
He let out a sound that was part sigh, part hiss. “You bought an omega, Dad. Did you forget? It was supposed to be for me.”
“He’s a he, not an it.”
“Whatever. You gonna return him?”
“He’d go for auction again and his chances of being sold somewhere worse than here are high. So that answer is no.”
