Page 40 of Little Did You Know

Judy's french-manicured nails clacked against her keyboard. "Mr. Pearson, I'm sorry, but you'll have to make an appointment."

"You know what, never mind." I pivoted toward Kathryn's door, my shoes squeaking against the polished floor.

"You can't go in there!" The scrape of Judy's chair against tile and the rapid click of heels told me she was in pursuit.

I shouldered through the door to find Kathryn hunched over a half-eaten bagel, coffee cup frozen halfway to her lips. "Nick?"

"Kathryn." I let the familiar weight of her office door swing shut behind me, cutting off Judy's approaching footsteps.

Kathryn was not only my therapist. She was also a very close friend. We'd gone to college together. We'd shared one night, which we'd both realized wasn't what we wanted. I used to see her regularly, but lately, it was more like friendly talks than a therapist to a patient.

"Mr. Pearson." Judy threw open the door.

I turned to face Kat, purposely blocking Judy's path. "I need to speak with you."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Daniels. I told him he needed to make an appointment."

"It's alright, Judy; he can join me for breakfast."

"Are you sure?" Judy asked, eyes narrowed, mouth pursed, and giving me the once over. "I can call security." I laughed; she was too much.

"No, thank you, Judy."

Judy rolled her eyes at me and then left, shutting the door behind her.

"Well, that's one woman I can't charm to get what I want."

Kat pushed aside her breakfast plate, lips quirking into a smile. "What has your panties in a bunch?" She motioned to the chair across from her desk.

I waved off the offered seat, already wearing a path in her carpet. "My panties are fine, thank you. However, I need your advice."

She folded her hands on her desk, shifting from friend to professional in one smooth motion. "As a friend or as your therapist?"

My shoes squeaked against the floor as I pivoted. "A friend, but if it makes you feel better, you can send me a bill."

She laughed before eating the last bite of her breakfast. "Alright, then, what's got you all worked up?"

"Well, I'm sure the gang's told you that Olivia's here," I stated, already knowing she'd

heard.

"I'd heard a woman from your past was here, and I figured it was probably Olivia. Is this bad?"

"I was excited that she was coming here, but then one thing after another happened, and now, she's living with me." I paused, not knowing where I wanted this conversation to go. "And I'm attracted to her, and I'm having trouble keeping my hands to myself."

"What's wrong with that?" Kat asked, confused.

"A lot," I replied, pacing the room again. "She's like a sister to me; she's so young and innocent; my rules, I don't want to hurt her..."

"Well, first of all," she interrupted, "she's not your sister. She's a friend, an old family friend at most, and how does she feel about you?"

"She's attracted to me and interested in having sex."

"If she's willing and you are too..."

"I don't want to hurt her, and if she gets attached..."

"She's an adult and fully capable of making her own decisions, Nick. Give her some credit. If you are both willing, lay down the ground rules, and if you both agree, then I don't see the problem."

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