Page 80 of I See You

For the first time during their session, Sevyn smiled. "Tell me about her."

Xavier scoffed, rubbing his hand down his face like he wasn’t sure if he was amused or frustrated. "Her name’s Harper. She’s my new trainer. Cold as hell at what she does, knows her shit, but she don’t mess around. I mean, I try to flirt, crack jokes—she don’t even blink. Just hits me with some ‘Focus, Sanders’ like I ain’t even say nothing." Sevyn’s eyes widened slightly.Harper?Now that was interesting.

She knew Harper had recently taken on a new NFL client, but shehadn’t put two and two together until now. This was gold. She couldn’t tell Harper what Xavier said—client confidentiality and all—but that didn’t mean she couldn’t read Harper’s energy next time they talked. "And that bothers you?" Sevyn asked, keeping her tone neutral, but her curiosity was piqued.

Xavier scoffed again, shaking his head. "Nah, just… not used to it. Women usually—" He stopped himself, shrugging like the rest of the sentence didn’t need to be said.

Sevyn arched a brow, already knowing exactly how that sentence was supposed to end. "Usually throw themselves at you?"

The smirk on his face was all the confirmation she needed. "Something like that."

Sevyn chuckled, tilting her head as she studied him. "And Harper doesn’t. That’s why she’s in your head."

Xavier’s smirk faded slightly, his jaw flexing like he didn’t like being read so easily. But she could see the truth in his expression. He wasn’t used to being the one chasing.

Interesting. Very interesting.

Sevyn leaned back in her chair, studying Xavier’s body language like she was piecing together a puzzle. She had him now—right at the edge of something real. “And let me guess—you don’t like not having control.”

His eyes snapped to hers, something tightening in his jaw before he exhaled, dragging a hand down his face. “She different. Not impressed by the fame, the money, none of it. Just trains me like I’m any other dude.”

Sevyn nodded, already knowing that was Harper to the core. No bullshit. No ego-stroking. Just results. “Maybe that’s why you like her.”

Xavier didn’t respond right away, just shifted in his seat, his smirk fading into something more unreadable.

“You ever thought about why this gets under your skin?” Sevyn asked gently. “Why being ignored or dismissed makes you feel like you have to prove something?”

Xavier tapped his fingers against his knee, thinking. His breath came out slow, measured. “…Yeah. But I don’t like thinking about that shit.”

Sevyn nodded, her tone even, no pressure. “That’s fair. But if you want control over your emotions instead of letting them run you, we gotta start there.”

Xavier leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, staringat the floor for a moment before finally meeting her gaze again. His expression was serious, his walls still up—but a crack had formed. “So what now?”

Sevyn tilted her head slightly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “Now, we break it down. Figure out where this need to prove yourself comes from. Find ways to work through the anger before it explodes. And maybe… talk a little more about Harper.”

Xavier let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

Sevyn smirked, closing her notebook as the session wrapped up. “I’m patient.”

For the first time, Xavier actually seemed open. His body was still tense, still guarded, but something had shifted. It wasn’t much—but it was a step. And for Sevyn, that was all she needed. She’d be waiting for the next one.

???

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Sevyn gathered her things, exhaling slowly as she prepared to leave for the night. The officehad emptied out, only a few lingering goodbyes exchanged beforeshe stepped out into the cool evening air. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she made her way to her car, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders.

She slid into the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel before glancing over to the passenger side. His jacket was still there, draped casually as if it belonged. The sight of it made something inside her tighten. She could’ve sent it back through Harper, could’ve left it somewhere for him to grab—but that wasn’t what she wanted.

She needed to see him.

The thought alone sent a rush of nerves through her. He might not even want to see her. Hell, after the way she snapped at him, he probably didn’t. But if she didn’t try, she’d never know.

The further she drove toward his casino, the more second thoughts crept in.Sevyn, what are you doing?The little voice in her head screamed at her to turn around.He doesn’t want to see or talk to you. Girl, you about to get yourself killed.

Still, she didn’t stop.

Becausebeneathallthedoubt,somethingdeeperpushedher forward. The need to apologize, to explain—to just be near him again. When she finally pulled up, Hustle & Flow was alive with energy, packedevenonaWednesdaynight.Thelightsglowedagainstthe darksky,illuminatingthesteadyflowofhigh-rollers,businessmen, and familiar faces from the underworld.

She took a breath, grabbed her purse and his jacket, and stepped out. Her posture was poised, her stride controlled, even as her pulse thrummed beneath the surface. She walked inside, the heavy scentof cigars, money, and whiskey thick in the air. Security posted at the front clocked her immediately, their sharp gazes assessing her every move.

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