Page 12 of Break Me, Daddy

“Shut up. You’re one of the smartest people I know, Dr. Legare. Speaking of doctors, are you at least going to start seeing Dr. Krauss again?”

Hearing Lottie refer to her as ‘Doctor’ was yet another knife to the heart. How the hell was she supposed to tell her friends she might never achieve the dream she’d been working toward since she was thirteen years old?

Setting that worry aside for another time, she focused on answering Lottie’s questions. “I don’t know. Not really sure what she can tell me that we didn’t cover the first time around.”

“Maybe she can help you figure out what triggered this episode, help you look out for those triggers going forward. There’s no gold medal for doing this on your own, Frankie.”

“I know.” And yet, her pride was still the one thing standing in her way. But the guilt was clawing at her again, and she was desperate to give Lottie something,anythingto ease her worry. “I’ll give her a call. I promise.”

Not that she really had a choice, since Holden had already made it clear she would make an appointment or there would be consequences. But at least this way it felt like she had some semblance of control left over her life.

“Good. I love you, Frankie.”

“Love you too, Lottie-baby. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“It’s okay. I mean, it’s not okay that you let yourself get so sick, but I’m just glad you’re getting help. You know if you need me, I’m just a phone call away.”

“I know. Thanks.”

“No thanks necessary. That’s what friends are for.”

Because she knew Lottie meant it, with every fiber of her being, her heart was lighter as she ended the call and returned to the house. True to his word, Holden had a plate of turkey and cheese, rolled up and arranged in a cute little flower shape waiting for her on the table.

“Five-star presentation,” she said with a laugh as she dropped down onto her chair. “Thanks.”

“Welcome. Everything good with Lottie?”

“Yeah, but… wait.” Eyes narrowing, she looked up at him, and the smirk playing on his lips. “How did you know who I was calling?”

“Daddy instincts. So, is everything good?”

“I think so.” Jerking a shoulder, Frankie eyed the plate in front of her. Turkey was good, low fat, low carbs, low everything, pretty much. The cheese, on the other hand… She’d thought she could handle it, but now that it was actuallyonher plate, she couldn’t seem to make herself pick it up, bring it to her lips.

“Do I have to eat the cheese?”

“Is that one of your ‘bad’ foods?”

“Yes,” she whispered, tears of shame filling her eyes.

“Then yes. At least one, and then you can just eat the turkey if you like.”

One. She could eat one. It wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Mouth dry, she forced herself to pick up the roll-up closest to her. To lift it to her lips, to open her mouth, to take that first bite.

After months of depriving herself, it was surprisingly yummy, even if it was just turkey and cheese. Chewing slowly, she savored the taste of it, silently reciting the mantras she’d been taught over and over as she ate.

Food is not the enemy. My weight does not define me. I am more powerful than my eating disorder.

“Good girl.” Holden’s quiet praise snuck through her mental chanting. “Can you eat another one for me?”

To her surprise, the second one went down much easier. Between her own mantras and Holden’s continued praise, she managed to eat half of what he’d put on her plate before leaning back against her chair. “I think I’m full.”

A frown tugged the corners of Holden’s lips down, but just for a fraction of a second before he smiled and rose from the table, abandoning his own half-eaten sandwich. Reaching for her hand, he pulled her to her feet, pride shining from his eyes. “Daddy’s very proud of you, little siren. I know that wasn’t easy. Would my good girl like a reward?”

Judging by the glint in his eye, she had a feeling she knew exactly what kind of reward he had in mind. “Yes, please.”

She barely got the words out before she was up in his arms, breathless from the ease with which he carried her as he strode toward his bedroom.

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