I grinned around a mouthful of food.
That boded well for me.
On that note… “Speaking of too soon,” I said, reaching for my water. I finished chewing and swallowed. “I’ll give you a key to my place. If you’re gonna be job hunting in the area—and hopefully move closer eventually—you don’t wanna drive all the way back to your dad’s house. And, uh, I wouldn’t mind having you in my bed.”
Frequently.
A faint blush bled across her cheeks, even as the look in her eyes turned wicked. It was one of the most intoxicating things about her, how she could be equal parts demure and salacious in one go.
“That’s incredibly generous of you. You said you live nearby, right?”
I inclined my head.
“And how long is your lunch?” she pressed.
Oh fuck. Uh. I checked my watch. I had a meeting with Quinlan in forty-five minutes.
“I gotta be back by one-fifteen,” I said.
She smirked and waited expectantly.
Fuck yeah, this was happening. “Finish your food,” I ordered.
CHAPTER 11
A few weeks later
Kiera Lane
Ididn’t have much experience with therapy, but I already knew I never wanted to have a session unless it was with Doc. I’d been coming to him for three weeks now, and I was taking it seriously. The first week, I’d had three sessions with him—mostly to describe everything that’d gone down. And now, I was at two sessions a week.
He looked to be James’s age, and he was so charming, calm, nice, andfirm. Like, he was super understanding, all while he wouldn’t let me make excuses or bargain with my recovery. Issues needed to be dealt with head on, regardless of pace. I could go slowly or quickly, whatever I could handle, as long as I didn’t avoid problems altogether.
I kinda wanted to know his real name, but I respected that he worked under an alias for safety reasons. James had divulged that Doc’s family had started the Hillcroft Group in the first place. This was their agency. But unlike most of the peopleI’d seen in this building, Doc didn’t dress like an operator. He rocked slacks and button-downs.
“And what about going to the grocery store?” Doc asked.
I blew out a breath and smiled ruefully. “I did go back, but not to the part of the store where I almost panicked. I’m not even sure that display is still there. It was a promotional thing, you know.”
It’d been such an insignificant event. I’d gone to the store to make dinner for my FaceTime date with James, and I’d freaked the hell out when I’d ended up in an elaborate display of Middle Eastern cooking. They’d had a special that week or something, so a corner of the store had been dedicated to seasonings, prepackaged meals, free samples—which I usually loved like no other—and whatever else. They’d even decorated that section to give it just a hint of a bazaar feel.
Doc nodded slowly. “That’s unfortunately something you need to take into consideration going forward. What sets you off can be the slightest thing. But that doesn’t mean it won’t get better—or that you should stop going places because something might happen.” He paused and opened a drawer in his desk. “How is your father doing? Have you seen him this week?”
I shifted in my seat. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the chairs in his office. They were kind of hard.
“I stayed with him from Sunday to Monday,” I replied. “He’s doing better, I think. He’s getting used to the idea of my moving here, and he didn’t react too weirdly when I told him that James and I are dating. He got a little grumpy and said at least James isn’t Navy.”
Doc chuckled.
“And I kindly hinted that he should check out the housing market for himself,” I added.
He placed a notebook in front of him. “How did he take that?”
“He got all quiet,” I admitted. “But it means the idea’s in his head now. He’ll mull it over. Then some more and some more.”
He inclined his head. “I’d imagine he’s got a lot going on. And that he’s still relieved to have you home.”
Undoubtedly.
