Page 133 of The Last Good Man

Maybe it’s not a notepad.Hejust started seeingher. How do I know?

Have no clue.

But something tells me that I’m right.

I would’ve run into him earlier had he been here before.

Why?

Fate, I guess?

Nothing.

There is nothing.

And then Aretha’s voice is louder as if she’s entered the room and has started handling the kettle.

When I hurriedly check the stack of papers on her desk, she soundslike she is about to endher phone conversation.

A file slips out of the stack.There’s no nameon it, but this one was stuck inside a book.The book’s title–a professional book–tells me everything I need to know.

It’s about anger management issues.

When my eyes fall to the first line on the page, I expect to find a bunch of notes about the material in the book.But, no.

JAX.

That’s it.

JAX.

Like he’sa special client. Likeshe is close to him.And nowI envy her for having that man on her couch being forced to tell her things that normally people wouldn’t say, not even in private.

Some things are only safe with your therapist, and I’m sure he has a few things like that himself.

I wish I could go down the page and read all her notes, acting unlawfullyall the way, but the window of opportunity closes as she moves closer.

So Islidethe file back and put the book where it was, hoping tocome back some other day andread more about him.

I barely make it to the window when she enters the room with tea for both and a tin of cookies.

She casts an inquisitive look before I offer to help and take the tray from her hands.

“It looks yummy,” I say, enthusiastic, garnering a curious look from her.

Later, we sit and drink tea.

Craftily, I squash my unnatural enthusiasm and slide on a mask of indifference before we start talking again.

24

MELODY

The rest of the evening goes by in a blur.

My focus isnot there, and the topics are no longer close to my heart.

We talk generalities and make no plans for the future, which is a strategy––Dr. Stenson says––no more looking for Mr. Right. Or Mr. High Quality.

---