“Let me ask you something, doc.” I drop my voice so it’s just above a murmur. “Do you call all your patients cute? Or is it just me?” I can’t stop myself from smiling at her and lean back against the couch, not breaking my eyes away from hers. I know I’m pushing it, more than likely crossing a line I shouldn’t cross, but I also know in my gut that there’s something more than strictly professional between us.
She lets out a dejected sigh before tucking her legs underneath her in the oversized chair she always sits in. The leggings she wears flex with her legs and the oversized sweater she has on lifts just enough as she hoists herself up in the seat to where I catch a glimpse of her torso. She wraps her hair around one shoulder and gives me a serious look.
“Miles, what happened this weekend was nothing more than a drunken mistake. Ineverdrink that much and it’s very rare these days that I go out like that at all. While I’m more than grateful that you took care of my friend and I, I need you to know that there aren’t any feelings there. I’m sorry.”
She’s direct but kind as she says it.Professional. Maybe Ididread the situation wrong. Trying to cushion my bruised ego, I smile kindly and nod.
“Of course. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, that was never my intention.”
“No, no! You didn’t, I promise.I’msorry for acting like such a fool. This is why I tend to stay in on the weekends.” She laughs.
“Every weekend?” I ask, raising a brow at her. Someone as pretty as she is should be taken out and shown off weekly—no, daily.
She nods matter-of-factly. “Pretty much. I tend to keep my life low key. Work, family, and friends when I can.”
“You don’t date?”
“Miles,” she warns and I lift my hands in front of me defensively.
“What? I’m asking in a ‘professional’ way. If I’m going to come here week after week and get my head shrunk, I’d like to know more about the woman I’m coming to see.”
She seems to take my explanation under consideration.
“No, I’m not currently seeing anyone.”Thank fucking Christ.“But I also don’t have time for a relationship right now. I see patients daily and at the end of the day I just want to go home and crash. Nothing about that really bodes well for me meeting my soulmate.”
“Maybe your couch can be your soulmate,” I offer. This gets her to laugh and I swear to god it’s better than any song I’ve heard in my entire life.
“You’re right, maybe it could be. But enough about me, we are here to talk about you.” She leans over her lap, reaching for the pen and paper once more. “So fill me in, how have you been sleeping recently?”
With that, she turns the conversation onto me and masterfully keeps it there for the rest of our time together. I share just enough to get by, answering in only half truths because I know I don’treallyneed to be here. I came today for one reason and it wasn’t because I had some sort of ‘trauma’ to heal from.
I came here today because whether I’m willing to admit it to myself or not, I have it bad for my therapist.
14
HANNA
1 New Message: The Family
Mom:
Just checking in to make sure we’re all still on for breakfast this morning?
Dad:
As long as Hanna Bee is in, George and I will be there
I smile at my phone, setting my needles down in my lap and type back.
Yep, we’re still on. I’m just getting to a stopping point in my newest project and will be on my way.
Mom:
What are you making this weekend?
Dad:
Send a picture!!George wants to see!
