Page 55 of Deadly Knight
But only after you tell Vanessa you’re about to piss off the Corsettis.
Me
Maybe.
By the timethe end of the day comes, I’ve never been more thrilled for 4 p.m., because today waslong. Every free moment had, a kid was at my door asking to talk, or the managers were throwing another issue my way. Productive, and I’m pleased to help everywhere I can…but long nonetheless.
I fall back into my computer chair with a groan and sip coffee long gone cold since it’s the same I carried into work this morning. Not having any time to drink or eat lunch makes everything more aggravating, coupled with the fact that tomorrow, I’ll have to make time to catch up on today’s documentation.
When the knock on my door comes, I’m about ready to toss my coffee at whomever it is and demand they make me a fresh one before attempting to speak with me. Before I allow that fantasy to take hold for too long, I roll my chair across the room and open the door to Caleb, a small smile on his face.
He looks as tired as I feel, but considering it’s Monday, that’s not a surprise. Given the shit I dealt with, I could only imagine what the kids put the other staff through today.
“Hey,” I greet.
“Hi. Busy?”
“No, come in.” Not a lie considering I don’t have the mental capacity to work on the notes I should be. My plans include dying in this chair, checking my email for a final time, shutting down the computer, and packing up to go die again at home. Thankfully, my self-defence lessons only occur Fridays, which means being able to relax tonight.
I wheel away from the door and back towards my desk, reaching for my cold coffee, if only for something to hold on to before Caleb catches me drooling.
He looksgood. A button-down over tan slacks, the perfect blend of business and casual, his hair a bit messy like he’s run his fingers through it one too many times today—likely from frustration.
When he falls into one of my chairs with a tired groan, I receive the same handsome smile from the other night. Thinking about what Ava asked me yesterday, I’m immediately struck by the obvious difference between him and Dimitri: Caleb’s smile doesn’t have the same intensity as Dimitri’s. It doesn’t make me feel like my insides are rearranging themselves.
It’s kind of disappointing that Dimitri isn’t so easily replaced in my mind.
But also reassuring that he’ll never be replaced in my heart, no matter what happens.
“Busy day?” he asks.
“Beyond busy.” I hold up my coffee, shaking it so the liquid sloshes the sides and he can hear how full it is. “This is from the morning.”
His expression pinches. “Criminal. Should have called my classroom. I would havehappilytaken a five-minute break from my chaos to get you a fresh cup.”
“Oh, no, no, you’re busy too.”
“The class isn’t going anywhere. They’re a bunch of teenagers who don’t want to be in summer school. Believe me, stepping away is sometimes needed for us all. Take some deep breaths and go back to it.”
“Healthy.” I gesture to a sign hung across the room that details stress management coping strategies, two of which are deep breathing and taking a short walk. “One of the best recommendations I give to the kids. To get out of the situation and calm down before attempting again.”
Caleb’s gaze flicks over the poster before returning to me. “Why not take your own advice and get out of here?”
“You haven’t heard? Therapists are the poster children fordo as I say, not as I do.Iknowwhat I should do, but doing it is a whole other thing.”
“That’s unfortunate. Well, if you ever decide to take a break, be sure to wander down to my room. I’d be more than happy to have you in there.”
My mouth goes dry, and rolling my lips together isn’t doing a damn thing about it.
“Tell me”—he straightens—“what has Miss Terasov accomplished today?”
“Five scheduled appointments, two drop-ins, and a meeting with my supervisor. One of those drop-ins involved a conversation about suicide ideation, which initiated a whole process of updating management, having to phone her parents, and writing a safety plan with her. She alone took over an hour of my day. One of my scheduled appointments had a meltdown shortly after returning to her afternoon activities, so I went back to support. It was a mental toll I didn’t account for. The meeting with management went longer than usual; lots of updates. Oh, and then a last-minute phone call with a parent because they requested services.”
Caleb whistles. “Damn.”
I shrug, because it’s over. “Made the day go by fast. Besides, being busy means I’ve helped, and that’s why I’m here.”
Another blinding smile. “That’s something, Katya. Which brings me to why I’ve stopped by, other than interrupting your only moment of peace. I’ve come to ask if you’d be interested in one day taking this outside the centre? One day, like tomorrow night?” Hope spreads across his expression, a tinge of pink colouring the tips of his cheeks. It’s sweet in a cute way, his shyness as he asks me out.
