Page 44 of House of Desire

“Hey, there,” she says, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair, pulling it back from her face.

“You’re enchanting,” I tell her, no hint of hyperbole.

“I think you might have gotten hit on the head. How many fingers am I holding up?” She doesn’t raise any fingers but looks at my lips, her mouth parting slightly and I almost give in to what we both want.

“I need you to get used to me complimenting you.” I take her hips in my hands, pulling her closer to me and she wraps her arms around me, her hands settling at my lower back.

“Compliments make me feel weird.”

“Because you get tired of hearing them all the time from men like me?”

“There’s no one like you.”

It takes everything in me to not puff my chest out at her compliment.

“Are you ready to get some couple’s counseling done?” I ask, trying to diffuse some of the sexual tension.

“Hell yeah. I’m going to win therapy. Let’s do this.” She gives me a quick squeeze before taking my hand and leading me into the office that’s waiting for us.

Production already has cameras set up to catch all the angles needed for the show. Once they give her the cue, our therapist walks in.

“Hello, Anastasia, Parker. I’m Dr. Jones.”

Dr. Jones is grandmotherly. Graying hair, settled lines. Her face is welcoming. Soothing. There’s something about it that makes you want to pour your heart out. Ten-year-old Parker wants to crawl into this woman’s lap, let her stroke his hair, and kiss his scraped knee. She was made to take care of people; that much is obvious.

“Please make yourself comfortable,” she says, indicating the inviting couch while she takes the single chair, opposite. “Our goal here today is to build intimacy between the two of you. With all these cameras around and the fact your time together will be watched by millions at home, that creates an environment for inauthentic behavior. We want to strip that away. Hopefully, if you make it out of the show together, it will set the beginning of a foundation for your relationship.”

Anya nods her head and I relax a bit, realizing she might not make me divulge everything about myself on national television. The cameras are small in the corner of the room, no people manning them this time. But that doesn’t mean I’m not aware of them.

“Let’s start with a simple exercise. Parker, tell me what you’ve noticed about Anastasia in your time together.”

Clearing my throat, I decide to turn my body to Anya and she mimics the gesture.

“I’ve noticed you’re funny. And smart. And you always try to make sure everyone feels included on our group dates. Your confidence was a little shaken at some point, but you’re trying not to let that experience win. And you’re so beautiful, sometimes it makes my eyes hurt to look at you.”

Her eyes water a little but she reins in her emotions and mumbles a bashful thanks.

“Anastasia, what have you noticed about Parker?”

“You’re caring. And thoughtful. Protective of all of us. You enjoy touching and being touched. And despite being the lead here, I can tell how lucky you feel any of us would want to be here for you.”

Warmth spreads through my limbs and my heartbeat slows at her kindness melting even the barest hint of trepidation from my body. Even though we’ve not known each other long, it’s nice knowing someone can read me even a little.

“Well done, both of you. How did that make you feel?” Dr. Jones asks.

Not wanting Anya to feel put on the spot, I go first.

“Really nice. Like a hug on your worst day.” I reach out and squeeze her knee.

“It made me feel seen.”

And just like that, I feel a small sliver of my heart become hers.

“The next exercise is going to be a little more personal. I would like you both to go through your values. This can be anything like what you expect in a relationship, political, or religious views, anything you consider a deal breaker. The goal of this is to understand the person across from you in a way that would help you to know if you’re compatible.

“Many of my clients in my practice have diametrically opposed ideals which, understandably, can cause a lot of tension. Parker?”

I take a deep breath and release it slowly, counting, just as Sharon has taught me.

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