Page 14 of Firefly Effect

Before I can stop myself, I ask him, “Did you mean what you said the other night?” I pause, thinking for a second. “You know… about starting something new with me? In therapy,” I add quickly, because who knows how he could have taken my question otherwise.

Lincoln’s eyes pivot to mine with surprise. “Of course I meant it. And you would have to sign your medical records over for me to gain access to your file, Evie. That’s completely optional.”

The way he uses my nickname, so casually, warms my chest. My eyes search his. “It is?”

“It is.” He’s so matter-of-fact, but he must see my confusion, because he continues. “Whatever I’d find in that file is from the past, anyway. I don’t want to start there. I want to start with who Evelyn Vaughn is today.”

His gaze explores mine so surely, so intensely, that it’s like I’m in a deep well I have no chance of escaping. For a second, I forget he’s talking about therapy.

“I want to know about your hopes and dreams, your goals,” he says. “I want to know about your job, your hobbies, and your family. I don’t want to know what brought you to therapy twelve years ago. I want to know what has kept you coming back week after week. There’s a comfort there for you that I’m not even sure you’ve explored.”

He pauses. “And maybe, just maybe, you’ll come to the realization that you already have the tools to detach from your weekly sessions. And if that’s the case, if you’re truly ready and happy, then at least you know you’re not quitting because of me.” He shrugs like all the things he mentioned are simple goals. “That’s all.”

My nerves get the better of me, and a laugh floats past my throat. “That’s all,” he says, like his job isn’t dependent on all the things about myself that don’t make me happy.

He frowns. “I’m not here to criticize the relationship you had with your therapist before me, and I can promise that I’m not here to profit from your unhappiness. The way I work is just different, that’s all.”

“What makes it different?”

His piercing gaze meets mine again, the green-and-gold backdrop of the sunflower field making his eyes even more stunning. “My goal isn’t to get you to stay, Evie.”

I let out a nervous chuckle. “Then what is your goal?”

He shrugs. “To set you free.”

More giggles rise in my throat, an instinctual reaction that seems to stem from confusion more than anything else. I certainly don’t find what he said funny, just unexpected. “I’m sorry,” I say, calming myself a bit. “Didn’t I free myself by quitting therapy already?”

Lincoln’s lips twist, bringing all my attention to his beautiful mouth. “Yes, but didn’t you only quit because you were afraid to start over with a new therapist?” He raises his brows as if in challenge. “The next time you quit, it should be for you. Because you feel a sense of closure.”

I squeeze my eyes together then open them again to regain control over my emotions. The way this man flusters me. “Quitting had been on my mind for some time,” I say. “I just…”

He waits patiently while I’m still thinking of how to finish.

Finally, raising my chin, I stare boldly back at him. “I just hadn’t decided yet.”

His smile is wide, filled with far too much charm and a perfect set of white teeth. “You just made my point.”

I open my mouth again to continue the argument—he needs to realize that he’s not right about that—but Lucy steals our attention.

“More flowers, Daddy!” Lucy stands between us, staring up at her dad with a half-dozen giant sunflowers in her hands.

“Wow,” Lincoln says, bending down to examine her bouquet. “You picked some great ones.”

Lucy leans toward Lincoln’s ear and whispers something. When she pulls back, he puts his lips to her ear and murmurs something in return. It’s the cutest exchange, and even as flustered as I was moments ago, I have nothing but warm and fuzzy feels watching them together now.

After their whispered conversation, Lucy swivels around, a sweet smile on her face as she tilts her head and looks up at me. She extends a hand, holding out one of the sunflowers.

I gasp, a genuine reaction to her most innocent gesture. “For me?”

Lucy nods. “Isn’t it pretty?”

Nodding, I accept the flower, taking it into both hands and smiling back at her. “The prettiest flower I’ve ever received. Thank you very much, Lucy. You just made my whole day.”

Lucy beams, her radiant smile lighting up her entire body, before she throws herself into her dad’s arms. At that moment, it’s painfully clear that Dr. Lincoln Reed is the least of my concerns. It’s his daughter who has the potential to steal my heart.

CHAPTER

FOUR

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