Page 105 of Someday You Learn

“So, if you’ve gotten through one-hundred percent of your hardest days so far, doesn’t that feel more empowering to remind yourself that you can survive anything else that might come your way?”

I sink back into the cushion on the couch as multiple lights start to flicker on in my brain. “Huh.”

She smirks, knowing once again what she just did to my mind. And for the first time in four years, I don’t dread the idea of thinking about a future, and most importantly, a future with Cashlynn.

“Here’s what I want you to sit with this week. One, people will always reveal themselves to you, you just have to give them time. Part of the reason you didn’t see Sasha’s struggles was because she hid that part of herself from you until she couldn’t anymore. What happened to her isnot your fault,” she says, punctuating the last three words. “It is entirely unfair of you to hold responsibility for her choices.”

My eyes start to sting as she continues.

“And two, love isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t always come easy. It’s about working together to overcome challenges and face obstacles, choosing to keep fighting for each other over and over. Love takes effort, but it’s worth it when you find someone who’s willing to fight just as hard for you.” Dr. Jensen becomes blurry as I look at her now. “What you need to ask yourself is, is Cashlynn that person you want to fight for?”

“I want her to be.”

“I want that for you too, Parker. But ultimately, the decision is yours.”

***

“You’re really engaged to that woman?” Christy—I think that’s her name—waltzes up to me as I make my way into the animal hospital Tuesday morning. I got the best night’s sleep I’ve had in months last night, and I think it was because of my session with Dr. Jensen yesterday.

Who knew therapy could do such wonders?

But now, my joyous morning is being interrupted by one of my female admirers, thanks to Willow posting another video.

Next time I see her, I’m taking her goddamn phone away.

“Good morning,” I say to Christy, trying to walk past her, but apparently that was a mistake.

She pulls on my shirt sleeve, stopping me in my tracks. “How long have you been seeing her? Why would you keep something like that from me?” Her eyes are wide and unnervingly intense.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes at this woman who clearly could benefit from a little therapy herself.

I take a deep breath to keep my calm. “Christy? It is Christy, right?” She nods, still holding onto my shirt. I peel her fingers from my clothing and take a step back. “With all due respect, you and I have never had a relationship, nor will we ever. Yes, I am engaged to the woman in the video, and she, unlike you, is respectful of personal space. I’m going to kindly ask you to refrain from showing up here again, or next time I will call the police to escort you off the property.”

She shakes her head at me. “She’ll never make you happy,” she says as she stomps over to her car.

I grumble under my breath, “Yeah, well, at least she isn’t giving me a headache first thing in the morning.”

Stepping inside, I’m greeted by the sight of the receptionists chuckling behind their hands. “Glad I could provide early morning entertainment for everyone.”

Cassandra holds up her phone. “Hey, I had 9-1-1 ready to call in case she pulled out a pair of handcuffs to bind you two together.”

“Good to know.” I reply dryly.

“Mrs. Kingston is your first patient today,” Cassandra says, trailing me to my office.

“Great. Get the room set up and I’ll be in there in a minute.”

She leaves and I take a minute to look myself over in the mirror, grab my lab coat, and then make my rounds on a few overnight patients. But as I pass Beth’s office, voices draw my attention.

“I just don’t know what else to do, Beth,” Dr. O’Neil says.

“You can’t do anything, Robert. She’s going to make her own mistakes, and you just have to let her.”

“Why would she lie to me?” he asks, his voice heavy with disappointment.

My heart starts racing.Fuck. Does he know about the gallery? Does he know about our fake engagement?

“Well, can you blame her? You overreact to everything.”

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