Page 35 of The Lessons

“Feel free to use the shower. Extra towels are in the wardrobe.” He threw on his shirt. “I’ll be in the office if you need anything.”

Chapter Eleven

Natalie

My phone vibrated, causing me to turn my attention from my computer screen. I’d been holed up in my now perfectly unpacked apartment, killing time before my next appointment with Dr. Lerner by guiltily researching Ryan Andrews online. I’d run his name through Google, searching for any clues to his life outside our work together. I’d found his Facebook page, which was set to private, and the website of a comic book artist. My Ryan Andrews was not a comic book artist.

Yes, I called him mine. He’d put his mouth on my vagina, and I was feeling a little territorial about the whole thing. Sue me.

I unlocked my phone.

I’m done at 12:30 and don’t fly out until six. Meet for lunch?

It was Josh. It was his last day in San Francisco. God, the time had flown by. I felt like I’d barely been able to see him.

Yes, definitely. Anywhere in particular?

He texted back a link to a Mexican restaurant in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Josh had a knack for picking out the best places to eat; I missed that about him. I texted him to confirm before grabbing my purse to leave for Dr. Lerner’s office.

It felt like a million years had passed since I’d last seen her, since that day Ryan had caught me in the hall and pulled me into the restroom. I already felt so…different. Not in a way I’d have expected, not more worldly or wise, but more something. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.

It starts with an R and ends with a Y-A-N Andrews,my subconscious hissed aggressively. Humph. One taste of the tongue, and she was now quite the pushy little thing.Argh.I tried not to let myself be distracted. I had to keep my eyes on the prize—this, all of this, was part of a much bigger plan. The plan formylife. I needed to stay focused and keep moving forward. This strategy had worked when I was young, and it was going to work again now.

As I approached SFCS, I was acutely aware of how much I had to talk about since our last meeting. Armed with that list of accomplishments, I also had a list of things to avoid—or at least tiptoe around. Either way, it was going to be an interesting session, that was for sure.

I gave a quick wave to Priya the receptionist as I entered the waiting area.

“Hi, Natalie. Dr. Lerner is running a little behind today. Have a seat; she should be ready for you in about ten minutes.

“No problem. I’m early anyway.” I could hear Josh’s teasing voice in my head:typical Virgo— so eager to get your gold star. I took the seat next to the magazine rack and grabbed a month-old copy of Good Housekeeping. I thumbed through it, trying to concentrate on trivial Type-A lady-porn, like how to plant a better vegetable garden and organize my garage, but it was no use. Once again, I was beyond nervous.

My phone buzzed with another text message. I pulled it out of my purse and slid the screen, thinking it was Josh.

Hey, it’s Brad. I hope you don’t mind, but I got your number from Paulina. I’m wondering if you want to get coffee next week?

I stared at my phone. Was this what I thought it was? Was Brad asking me on a date? That’s what coffee was, right—a date? I stared back at the screen helplessly and snuck a peek at Priya. She was busy, typing away at her station. I looked back down at my phone and decided to text Josh.

Josh, are you there? Brad just asked me out.

I waited several long seconds until my phone lit up with a response.

LL, I’m not going to say I told you so, but I saw that coming a mile away.

He was totally into you the other night.

He was?

Uh, DUH. He was, like, staring at you all night.

You didn’t notice?

Girl, you didn’t used to be this dense.

Bah- you know not to do that

Do what?

Don’t ‘used-to’ me

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