Page 15 of Shameless Expectations

“I suppose Fallon told you why you’re here.”

“You’re not sleeping.” Monti rubbed her palms along the chair. “I honestly didn’t think our last session went well enough for you to call me again.”

Athena cut her a look so sharp that it could cut diamonds. If Monti were someone else, she would have laughed at it, but she knew intuitively that Athena would recoil if she did. Monti bit her tongue and eyed Athena over. She looked almost perfectly put together, still covered head to toe.

Yet there were dark bags under her eyes that were puffy and red. The makeup she wore barely covered it up. Her skin was paler than it had been days ago, and her fingers trembled as she grabbed another book.

“Athena, sit down.”

Athena’s chin jerked up, her gaze locked on Monti’s face. How many people were permitted to call her that? Still if Monti wanted to make some sort of progress toward deepening their relationship, then they were going to need to break down some of these walls between them. Monti raised an eyebrow pointedly and waited to see if Athena would give in. She must be using all of her strength to stay upright.

“I don’t want to pry if you don’t want me to, but I get the sense that you’re scared to sleep.”

“I’ve never heard anything so asinine.”

Monti grunted and rested in the chair. “I would never underestimate fear if I were you.”

“I never underestimate anything, Monti.” Athena walked toward her, stumbling down the one step that would lead her to the chairs.

Monti almost jumped up to catch her, but she held her ground, if only to prove her point just how tired Athena was. But she had to know. There was no other reason why Monti would be there if she didn’t. Athena slipped into the chair next to Monti, nearly melting into it.

“Did you ask Fallon to call me or did she suggest it?”

“What does it matter?”

“It helps me assess the situation more fully.”

Athena’s lips thinned, and her eyes closed. It took her a long time to open them again, and Monti could tell she wasn’t seeing clearly. “I asked her to call you.”

Interesting. Monti had to approach Athena with gentleness, and she had to make sure that Athena saw her coming. She was jumpy, and Monti was fairly certain that if she startled Athena that would be the end of their working relationship.

“In the last session, you slept.”

“I did.” Athena’s shoulders tightened. “And I need to sleep again.”

“But the real question, or rather the real problem to solve, is why you aren’t sleeping. Not just getting the sandman to take you.”

Athena chuckled low. “I haven’t heard that reference in a while.”

“It seemed apt considering the circumstances.”

“Agreed.” Athena clenched her fingers into a tight ball before relaxing them. “I don’t want to talk. I want to sleep.”

“I’m not entirely convinced one can happen without the other.” Monti saw the recognition flash across Athena’s eyes before she closed them again. It was getting harder and harder for Athena to avoid, and eventually, she would either talk to Monti or she would find someone else who could help her.

“It’ll have to.”

“Oh, denial. You are a mighty beast, aren’t you?” Monti shifted in the chair, leaning forward. “If you don’t want my help, Ms. Pruitt, then why am I here?”

“I can’t think.”

“Because you’re not sleeping.”

“I believe we’ve established that fact,” Athena ground out. “Are you sure you have a master's in psychology?”

Monti chuckled. “Yes. Many years of my life dedicated to schooling that I may never use again.”

“And why is that?” Athena reached for a small glass on the table that Monti had missed before. It was filled with an amber liquid, probably alcohol of some sort, though Monti had no idea which kind. Athena lifted the glass to her lips but didn’t drink.

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