Page 16 of Perfect Imperfections

Hell no!

She had no problem with psychiatrists. Saw one herself, as a matter of fact, but in a professional manner, not a sexual one. There were two types of guys she could never be in a relationship with; abusive assholes and shrinks. The former because obvious reasons. The latter because she’d never know if they were being a supportive partner or trying to fix her.

“Oh, that’s nice.” She placed her hands in her lap, trying hard not to let the panic inside her show.

Louis laughed. “No, it’s not. I enjoy my job, but most people here either think I’m fodder for stories about crazies. I hate that word, by the way. Or they want me to cure them of their neuroses.”

She didn’t want him curing her of anything. No, thank you. She already had a doctor for that, and she was doing just fine. Shame, because Louis seemed like a nice guy. At least the nicest she’d run across tonight.

“Can I confess something to you?” He leaned in as if to impart some big secret.

“Um, sure.” Ellie tilted her head his way.

His lips parted in a smile. He was a nice-looking man. Some might even call him a silver fox, but sadly, he did nothing for her. Even if his occupation hadn’t been a deal breaker.

“I really didn’t want to come to this thing tonight. My daughters signed me up. They told me it’s time I got back out in the dating world.”

Hmmmm, strangely similar phrasing to what Cam had said. Was anyone here of their own willingness, or had everyone been pushed into it?

“My wife passed five years ago, and they think I need to stop mourning and move on.”

Her heart clenched, breath leaving her in a whoosh. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.” A sad smile tilted his lips. “We had twenty-five wonderful years together before the cancer took her and while I miss her every day, I’m not mourning her like my children seem to think. I’ll always love and miss her, but me not dating has nothing to do with her loss. I just haven’t found my boom. You know.”

She shook her head, leaning forward, willing to lap up all the advice this man who seemed to love his late wife so profusely had to say. He placed his hands on the table, and she caught a whiff of the same aftershave her father used. Comforting, but would have been another deal breaker. Being reminded of her dad every time she kissed her lover? Not a flying chance in hell.

“That someone who makes your heart race and the blood rush in your veins. The person who steps into a room and you can’t help but smile because just their presence makes the entire room brighter. Someone you love to talk to about everything under the sun, from the weather to dreams of the future. The person who is not only your other half, but your best friend, too. When you wake up one day and realize boom, they make everything in your life better. I had that once and I’m okay if I never have it again, but I won’t settle for anything less.”

She sniffed, a hot tear leaking from the corner of her eye and rolling down her cheek. She brushed it away, only slightly embarrassed by the show of emotion. Honestly, how could anyone hear that and not shed a tear or two? They’d have to be some kind of heartless monster.

“Your wife was a lucky woman.”

Louis shook his head. “I was the lucky one. We both were.”

“Ellie?”

Her head turned at the familiar voice calling her name. Shock infused her, followed quickly by a rapid heartbeat and rushing blood as she stared up at the last person she expected to see tonight. “Sullivan?”

“Are you okay?”

His green eyes narrowed as he glanced at Louis and back at her. His gaze caught on her cheek. Oh crap, had there been more than one tear? She brushed at her wet cheeks. Yup. A few other sneaks had followed the first.

“I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

His suspicious gaze went back to Louis, but the menacing look in Sullivan’s eyes didn’t seem to bother the older gentleman. Louis stood, stepping away from the table and motioning to Sullivan.

“I was actually just leaving.” Her gaze came back to her. “Thank you for your time, Ellie. Why don’t I leave you with your friend here?”

“Oh, you don’t have to—”

He cut her off with a wave of his hand. “I’m not going to find my boom here.” Brown eyes shifted to Sullivan and back. “Maybe you’ll find yours, though.”

Louis walked away and Sullivan kept his gaze on him the entire time. What was the deal with that? She’d disliked people after a few minutes of talking to them—prime example, every single guy before Louis who’d sat down tonight—but Sullivan hadn’t even talked to the guy before he gave the older man the stink eye.

“Five more minutes.”

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