Page 78 of True Sight
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were traveling.” I feel my heart sink in my chest and I’m surprised by how disappointed I am. The idea of spending the holiday with him had only just come to me but hearing him say he can’t hurts more than I expected it would.
“I’m sorry. My best friend Ellie, back in London, is eloping that weekend and has already booked my flights. She only just told me a few days ago. I’m so sorry, I should have told you.” He reaches for my hand and squeezes it.
“Oh, no, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” I squeeze his hand back and wave him off. It isn’t his fault he isn’t going to be here and his reason for being gone is important.
“Next year?” His words are hopeful as he gives me a sheepish expression. My ears perk up at his question.
“Next year?” I repeat. The indication that we’ll still be whatever we are a year from now sends a wave of energy through me. I haven’t even thought about the end of this week. Knowing he’s thinking through the next year makes me happier than I expected it to.
“Are you telling me you plan on being with me in another year?” I joke with a sideways smile.
He wipes his mouth with his napkin and turns to face me. Bringing the back of my hand to his lips, he kisses it softly before covering it with both his hands.
“This is me telling you that I’m not going anywhere so long as you don’t want me to.”
A small smile spreads across my lips as he looks at me, his green eyes dancing with hope and anticipation. The more I look at him, the more a warm knowing spreads throughout my body. The knowing that Ilikethe idea of having another year with him. That Ilikethe idea of having more nights like this one with him, just the two of us, getting to know one another. That Ilikethat he wants to have another year with me too.
“Next year,” I confirm with certainty and lean over to press my lips to his.
I might not be sure if I’m ready for other people to know about us yet or the change that will come when they find out. But I’m certain about how I feel about him. How he brings a sense of joy to my life that I haven’t felt in years or the subtle sense of stability he makes me feel. How he makes me happier, lighter, and more content than anyone I’ve ever met before has.
30
CONRAD
The lobby of Hanna’s office has some sort of calming elevator music playing as I sit and wait for her to call me in. Just like her office, there’s funky art hanging from the walls and overstuffed couches and chairs that look worn in and deflated. Since I had finished my work early, I headed over in case she could start early but her door is closed which means she’s with someone. My phone buzzes in my pocket and since she hasn’t come to get me, I figure it is safe to read the message while I wait.
Sweets:
Hello, love. I just wanted to tell you that I hope you have a good session today. I’m so proud of you for going. Text me after and let me know how it goes
I smile as I read his text but don’t have a chance to reply before Hanna’s office door opens and she and another man step out. He’s tall, built like a brick wall, and sports the perfect five o’clock shadow. He’s wearing a deep navywindbreaker that has a firehouse insignia on the left side just over his heart with the number nine embroidered over it. His brown hair is mussied like someone has just run their fingers through it. He has a good six inches on her and glances down at her with a coy smile.
“See you next week, doc?” he asks, leaning against the doorframe with one arm.
Hanna uses her thumb to wipe her bottom lip before tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, Miles, next week. Same time.”
I don’t think either one of them notices I’m sitting in the lobby, witnessing their exchange. Clearing my throat, she jumps nearly a foot in the air and whips her head to look at me.
“Conrad, you’re early,” she squeaks. Her eyes rival a deer caught in headlights and the man next to her,Miles, doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest at being caught.
“I had a few extra minutes this morning so I came over. Do I need to come back later?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Not at all, come on in.” She waves an arm into her office and Miles takes a step out of the way. I awkwardly look between the both of them and duck inside. Turning over my shoulder, I don’t miss the tension between them or the way he seems to strut down the hallway before exiting the lobby. When she turns around, her cheeks are the faintest shade of pink. She looks lost in thought with her eyes pointed towards the floor as she closes the door.
“You didn’t just have sex in here, did you? Because my ass is going nowhere near that couch if you did.” I point a finger towards the overstuffed couch she keeps in her office.
“What? Why would you ask me that? Miles is just a client,” she scoffs and wraps her arms across her chestdefensively. She crosses the cozy office space in a few short steps and plops down in her usual spot.
“‘Just a client’my ass, that guy was ready to rip your clothes off and fuck you right in front of me.” Her mouth falls open at my exclamation. Readjusting her wire-framed glasses and pressing her lips together, she perches herself on her chair and narrows her eyes at me.
“Just shut up and sit your ass down. I’m not having sex in my office and doctor patient confidentiality prevents me from speaking about this any further.” She nods her head at the couch which I scowl at. I’m happy for her and the developing relationship she seems to have going on but not if it means I’ll be sitting on her sex couch week after week.
“So, Conrad, tell me what’s been going on. I didn’t see you last week, let’s catch up.” Her notepad is in hand, pen at the ready.
“Our lack of a session last week wasn’t my fault. You canceled on me, remember?” I raise a brow at her.
“I did, and again, I apologize for that. I had an emergency client situation I needed to attend to.”
