Page 42 of Shadowing Charlotte
"A shrink," she answered with a heavy sigh, dropping the packet of papers into her lap with a grimace.
I shrugged. "I used to go twice a week until I was twenty-one," I informed her. I could see the skepticism in her eyes. "Alright, how about a compromise? If you go see a therapist, I'll take you to meet my mother. I'll even book the appointment for you."
"Your mother?" Her golden eyes flickered with intrigue.
"We'll go see her on Saturday," I insisted with a nod.
"Alright…" she finally conceded in a whisper, giving me a tense smile.
"Good," I replied. "Ready for bed?"
On the evenings before Charlotte worked, we were like an old married couple, climbing into bed before ten. As she curled up against me, I stroked my fingers through her auburn hair, relishing the soft texture against my rough skin. "I'm going to have to start looking for work soon." I sighed.
"I thought you said not to worry about your funds," Charlotte whispered against my chest. She shifted, staring up at me through the darkness.
"I toldyounot to worry about my funds," I corrected, trailing my fingers down her bare back. My savings was enough to float me for a while, but I didn't want to spend it all if I didn't have to.
"Well, why don't you stay here, with me? That way you don't have to pay rent?" she asked softly. My fingers stilled at the base of her spine, my hand gripping her hip.
"That's a big decision, Charlotte," I whispered as my stomach flipped.
"Is it?" she responded, an edge of amusement to her question. "You sleep here more days than not."
"Yeah, it is," I whispered, kissing her forehead. "Because once I'm here, you're stuck with me. Once I'm here, I don't plan on ever letting you go…" Only after I'd spoken the words did I realize that I'd truly meant them. With every caress of her skin, every moment spent in her presence, I gave her another tiny sliver of my twisted heart. I was losing myself in her.
I was completely and utterly in love with Charlotte.
Chapter thirty-seven
Charlotte
Friday came far too soon. I walked out of Hewart, dragging my feet. I'd been shocked when Alexander had booked me an immediate appointment with his former therapist the day before. What kind of therapist had that kind of availability?
"Let's go, princess. We're already late!" Lex called out the open window, just as I pulled the car door open.
"You seem far too excited about this," I noted, trying not to pout at him. The last thing I need to do was give him another excuse to call me immature or a brat. Still, my stomach twisted and turned the entire way to her office.
"I think this will be good for you, baby," Lex said as we pulled to a stop. "I'll be back in an hour." He kissed my cheek and ushered me out of the car.
Inside the sparsely decorated reception area, I froze. Even when the girl at the front desk greeted me, I didn't move, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. My eyes were glued to the little sign on the door that read:Celeste Stonebrook. It sounded like a name out of one of those fantasy novels I'd been editing.
"You must be Charlotte?" I hadn't even realized the door had opened, but there she stood, dressed in a tailored blue suit. Her greying hair had been pulled back into a no-nonsense kind of bun, but her the skin around her eyes crinkled as she offered me a friendly smile. I stared at her, unable to form words. "It's alright, come on in," she encouraged, gesturing toward the office door.
As I entered the office, I could feel sweat accumulating on my hairline. The room was surprisingly cozy, nothing like the stark reception area. Still, I wanted to be anywhere else. "Have a seat."
I sank down onto the leather chair, swallowing anxiously. "You must be very special, Charlotte," she said, idly opening a file and placing a small stack of papers on her desk. "Alexander hasn't been my patient for over four years, but he was rather insistent that I see you as soon as possible."
"He thinks it will help," I managed to croak out, "but… I don't really want to be here."
"Most of my patients don't want to be here." Her words were kind and understanding. "Alexander didn't, when he first arrived. Did he tell you how we met?" I shook my head. "Alexander was referred to me after an ER psych evaluation. After his mother was committed, he tried to kill himself."
My mouth went dry, and the room felt like it was spinning around me.
"Lex?" I breathed, unable to believe what she'd just told me. Dr. Stonebrook nodded. "B-b-but… Can't you get into trouble for telling me that?" I whispered.
"Alexander has given me express permission to share his past with you," she replied. "But we're not here to talk about him right now. We're here to talk about you. So, Charlotte, tell me about yourself."
"What do you want to know?"
