Page 97 of Watercolor Skulls

“We all have our strengths, Lily. You are not Jesse and Jesse is not you. You are brave in your own way.”

“I’m trying to find a way to give them justice…to stop him if he’s still doing those things.” I glance out the window, watching white fluffy clouds glide over the bright blue sky.

“That sounds brave to me.”

“Well, I have help.”

“Having help or even asking for help doesn’t negate the bravery.”

We spend the next hour talking about my dad and the flip drives. The time flies by as I voice my fears, my hopes.

“Do you feel better than you did before you came?”

“Yes,” I admit.

“Good. I’d like to see you again next week.” He stands, setting the pen and pad on his chair. I rise with him, taking a few steps towards the door.

“I guess that would be okay.”

“I’ll have the receptionist put you down for the same time next week.” His hand rests on the doorknob. “Could you promise me one thing?”

I shrug. “I never like to promise anything before I hear what it is.”

He laughs. “Smart.” Tipping his head, he studies me. “When you feel anxious, promise me you will let Raffe know.”

“Why?”

“He will be able to relate and he will alert me if he thinks you need more help than he can give. We’re going to explore your anxiety next week but for now just promise me. I don’t feel comfortable prescribing anything at this point, but I would like to part ways knowing you will reach out to him. I don’t want you suffering unnecessarily. Anxiety is no fun.”

“No. No it’s not.” I’ve always hidden my anxiety, running off by myself, which only intensifies the sensation. I look him in the eye. “I promise.”

Smiling, he opens the door for me. “I’ll see you next week, Lily. Thank you for trusting me today.”

Raffe is ecstatic that I stayed for the entire session. “I’m so glad today worked out.”

“Yeah, I guess it wasn’t so bad.” I tuck my hair behind my ear, glancing out the window, excited to be going to see Dan at his shop. Raffe is dropping me off there and then I’m going to ride with Jesse to the bar. Dan will take me home after my shift. They are all being overprotective after what happened with my father.

It might look stifling to some but to me it’s wonderful. It shows me how much they love me.

I wave to Raffe as he waits for me to go inside. So sweet.

When I get inside the shop my happiness quickly turns to unease. Dan is bent over a girl with long blond hair. He’s tattooing something on her chest. She is looking over her head, speaking to a girl that looks just as perfect as her. Her friend is swinging her legs back and forth as she sits on a stool, watching Dan work. They both laugh and he glances at them briefly before going back to his design.

The blond winks at her friend and wiggles her eyebrows before allowing her gaze to settle on Dan.

Jesse looks up from the guy she is working on. Her gun pauses. “Hey, Lily.” She smiles, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”

Dan glances up when he hears my name, giving me a sexy smile. My heart squeezes and I push my ugly thoughts about the two girls to the side.

He nods his head for me to come to him. His eyes go back to his work, not waiting for me to obey. He knows I will.

Slowly I saddle up to his side. The blond gives her friend a questioning look. They are trying to decide who I am to him.

He pauses the gun. “How did it go today?”

“Good,” I tell him, looking over his shoulder at the tattoo he is doing on this bimbo.

I roll my eyes. Typical.

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