Page 6 of Do Me
Smiling, he took a seat next to Tonya. He’d had his sister wrapped around his finger then and now. After Jared blessed the food, they filled their plates. Debra had prepared all the dishes he requested. His mother often accused her daughter of spoiling Braxton and she had been correct. Debra had been Braxton’s confidante, helped him solve whatever problems he’d had and, along with their father, talked to Braxton extensively about respecting women and his responsibility in romantic relationships. He would never forget the time when she’d overheard him and a few of his high school friends laughing about one of the girls in their class. Debra had taken him aside and asked him how he would feel if those boys had said those things about her. She couldn’t have made her point any clearer because he knew he would’ve kicked their asses. Ashamed, he’d apologized to the girl and, from that point on, had never knowingly done anything to hurt another woman. Braxton bit into a fried chicken drumstick and groaned. “This is so good.”
“I know,” Debra said smugly. “I may not be able to do a lot of things, but Icancook.”
“You can do it all, baby,” Jared said, grinning at his wife. “And you’re the best elementary school teacher in the country.”
Braxton watched the loving stares between Jared and Debra and smiled. It was the same with his parents. The older couple had been married for nearly fifty years and were still very much in love. Braxton had caught them more than once sharing a passionate kiss, and he briefly wondered if he’d find the same kind of love. Londyn’s smiling face flashed in his mind. Why hadn’t he asked for her phone number?
“Babe, Braxton said Londyn works with one of Lena’s family members. I told him he should call Aunt Barbara and have her find out, since he forgot to get it,” Jared added, not looking up from his plate.
Debra frowned. “What do you mean you forgot to get her number, Braxton?”
Braxton glared at Jared. “I didn’tforget. I just didn’t ask.”
“You should’ve, Uncle Braxton,” Tonya said. “She’s pretty and, ooh, she candance.” She threw her hands in the air and did a move in her chair.
Four pairs of eyes focused on Braxton expectantly. “What?”
“Are you going to get her number from Aunt Barbara?” JJ asked.
“No, I’m not, so can we just enjoy dinner.” He forked up some of the mac and cheese and ignored his family. But he couldn’t stop the thought that crept in telling him he should put in that call to his aunt.
* * *
Friday, during lunch, Londyn stood around the table in the small office conference room with her coworkers celebrating Dr. Ralston’s retirement. The man had established Ralston Mind & Wellness Center three decades ago and over the years expanded it to their current roster of five psychologists, an administrative assistant and a receptionist. They planned to wait a while before deciding whether to hire someone to replace Dr. Ralston.
“I want to thank you all for making this counseling center one of the best around,” Dr. Ralston said, his voice filled with emotion. “Shawn, you were the son I never had, and I trust that under your leadership, all we’ve accomplished will continue.”
Shawn nodded. He had been Dr. Ralston’s mentee and had worked in the practice since the beginning of his career. “I’ll do my best.” He shifted closer to Londyn and whispered, “And I’m going to finally bring this office into the twenty-first century.”
Londyn shushed him. However, she agreed the computer system needed a complete overhaul. They were still using computers Dr. Ralston had installed more than fifteen years ago.
“You know I’m right. I have a company coming in this afternoon to talk about designing a network for the office, so we can all access everything digitally and get rid of some of this paper.”
She paused to clap with everyone when Dr. Ralston finished his speech, then shot Shawn a look of incredulity. “You know that’s just wrong. You could’ve at least waited until the man left the building.”
Shawn smiled and shrugged. “I scheduled it for three. Can you sit in?”
Londyn mentally went through the list of clients whose notes she needed to finish. The psychologists saw patients four days a week from eight to five, but on Fridays only until noon. The afternoons were set aside for meetings, charting and the occasional rescheduled appointments. She only had two notes to finish that afternoon. “Sure.”
“I’ll make sure everyone else is available, as well, and we can meet about half an hour before to discuss what we need.”
“Sounds good.” She moved away to join in the conversation and to give Dr. Ralston his gift. “This is for you.” She handed him a small black square box with a silver bow.
“Thank you, Londyn.” Dr. Ralston gave her a brief hug and untied the bow. “I’m depending on you to keep Shawn in line. He pushes a little too hard sometimes.”
She chuckled and patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I will.” While Shawn exhibited a level of compassion with his patients not often seen, he tended to be less diplomatic when it came to dealing with those who threatened their wellbeing.
He opened the box and let out a hearty laugh. “Amanda will probably call to thank you herself. Pappadeaux is her favorite restaurant.”
“I know.” His wife had mentioned it during their annual Christmas dinner. Londyn cut a small piece of the chocolate cake Corinne had baked and stood off to the side while he unwrapped the remainder of his gifts. An hour later, Dr. Ralston packed the last of his belongings into his car and said a teary goodbye.
Londyn went back to her office, finished typing her notes, then at two-thirty, made her way back to the conference room. Shawn was already seated around the table for eight scribbling on a note pad. She sat in the chair to his right.
Shawn’s head came up. “I’ve been crazy busy this week since I got back and forgot to ask you how the wedding went.” He’d decided at the last minute to leave two days earlier for his scheduled vacation.
“It was fine, and I’m still mad that you all left me hanging.”
His brows knitted together. “What are you talking about?”
