Page 9 of The Last Good Man

A glint of concern threads through her gaze as she checks the time on her watch.

“Yup… You were.”

Her voice says otherwise, and I stop and look at her, waiting for her to erase that awful impression she has given me a lie.

Not that it’s my business, but I prefer to trust my therapist.

Although, itmight just bea matter of privacy.

A smile grows across her face when she meets my eyes.

“I’m doing some pro bono work.”

“Oh.’

I wait forno good reason. It’s just thatherwords have piqued my interest.

Her smile is a bit crooked and tense.

“There’s no secret. It’s for the state.”

I cock an eyebrow.

“The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.”

“Ohh…”

I act as if I know what she means by that and I’m still interested while my focus rolls back to my own problems.

So…

Did I have a high school sweetheart?

“Okay. I’ll see you next week,” I say, flashing a dazzling smile meant to overshadow my struggling interest inherbusiness.

“Sure,” she says, more relaxed, stepping back and closing the door to her office.

I gather her ‘pro bono work’ hasn’t shown up yet.

Or maybe they’re supposed to be brought in by a law enforcement official.

No need to know.

Pushing that thought away, I walk across the waiting area with a hand in my purse, digging out my phone again.

Thomas was supposed to call me and let me know if we had plans for the weekend.

Maybe spending some time alone would the better option, especiallynow in light of what I have discussed with Dr. Stenson.

Holding my bag and gloves with one hand, I drop my phone into my pocket.

No, I didn’t have a high school sweetheart.

I was such a nerd and had no time for boys.

Honestly?

They weren’t interested in me either. And I can’t blame them. I was cold and unreliable like a snowflake.