Page 111 of I See You

Harper’s eyes snapped to her. “Wait. He actually agreed to therapy?”

Sevyn laughed, covering her mouth like the words slipped out too easy. “Yes. But don’t you dare tell him I told you. I already pushed my luck keeping it a secret this long.”

Harper leaned in like she’d just been told state secrets. “Hold up. How long we talkin’?”

“First, you gotta swear you won’t mention therapy around him,” Sevyn warned.

“Girl, I ain’t sayin’ a thing. Now spill.”

Sevyn smirked. “Right after Roman’s birthday party.” Harper’s eyes bulged. “Damn! That long ago?”

Sevyn nodded, lips curving with pride.

“So… has he opened up about anything?” Harper asked, her voice softer now, almost hesitant.

“Ican’ttellyouspecifics—therapist-clientconfidentiality.Ilike my license,” Sevyn teased, making Harper groan in frustration. “Okay, okay… just tell me this. Is he opening up?”

Sevyn took a breath, remembering every guarded look, every wall Hassan tried to keep up—and how each one started to crack when she was around. “He is. Slowly. It’s like pulling teeth, but he’s trying. He’s got more heart than he lets on.”

Harper’s face softened. “I’m happy to hear that. Thank you, Sevyn.”

Sevyn shook her head. “No thanks needed. But he’s not the only one who needs healing. You out here fixing everybody through fitness and wellness, but you got some wounds too. And don’t think I don’t see them just because you smile through it.”

Harper nodded slowly. “I’m working on it.”

Sevyn’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Good. I’m sure Xavier plays a part in that too.”

Harper’s eyes damn near bugged out. “Wait, how do you know Xavier?!”

Sevyn’s grin widened like she’d been waiting on that reaction. “None of your business. Just know he really likes you—and you need to stop giving that man such a hard time.”

Harper huffed. “He is cute, I’ll give him that. But I don’t need a man who gets knocked around for a living. He got more bruises than I got clients.”

Sevyn cracked up. “Girl, you strict.”

“I’m realistic. I’ve had my fair share of crazy-ass dudes. And thanks to my even crazier cousin, half of them six feet under.”

Sevyn nearly choked on her drink. “Not you lowering the population.”

“I’m just sayin’—I’m not trying to date someone who gotta boband weave through life and relationships,” Harper said with a shrug. Sevynshookherhead,smilingathowdifferenttheywere— yet how much they both carried. Harper was guarded with barbed wire; Hassan with ice. But underneath it all, there were wounds still bleeding.

And Sevyn? She was determined to help them both heal. Even if it meant thawing out the coldest heart in Memphis.

???

Sevyn was back behind the wheel, music blasting through the speakers as Harper rapped every word in the passenger seat, phone out, recording both of them.

“Bitch, we look good,” Harper grinned, adjusting the camera angle. “We need to go out tonight!”

Sevynlaughed,shakingherhead.“YouandDorianarealways trying to hit a damn club.”

“And you always trying to turn it into a therapy circle,” Harper shot back. “We not sipping no damn wine and crying over playlists again. You only twenty-five, but swear you pushing thirty-five the way you be acting. No, we getting dressed, getting lit, and getting you into some fine-ass niggas' faces tonight.”

Sevyn rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “The last time a fine-ass nigga rolled up on you, your cousin bodied him in cold blood. I’m not trying to relive another crime scene.”

Harper groaned dramatically, tossing her head back. “Girl, see—I said you! And hopefully, Hassan’s crazy ass ain’t even there tonight.

Sevyn’s head snapped in her direction with a sharp glare.

---