I jerk my head up and meet her gaze. “Then ... where does my physical attraction to a complete stranger come into this? Why am I suddenly feeling like I needalone timewhen I shouldn’t be thinking of this guy at all?” I know I’m being cryptic, but she’s picking up what I’m putting down.
“Maybe he represents something your brain thinks you need more of in your life. Is he intriguing to you only on a sexual level?”
A vision of Gabriel Legend sweeps into my head. Him, standing in front of his desk, torn jeans covering his thick quads, and his messy blond hair falling into his face. His mouth as it repeats threats, which don’t scare me right now at all.
There is something seriously wrong with me. Maybe Chadwick’s right, and I do need therapy. And he doesn’t even know about Legend!
I clutch my purse, pop out of my seat on the couch, and shoot to my feet. “I’m so sorry for wasting your time, Dr.Grand. I think I need to go. Please send me a bill for a full session. I want to make sure you’re compensated for your time.” I rush toward the door, but Dr.Grand’s voice stops me.
“Ms. Priest.”
I stop, and it takes me a second to summon the courage to turn and glance over my shoulder at her. “Yes?”
“If you ever need someone to talk to, about anything, I really am good at my job. Just because my specialty is sex doesn’t mean I don’t spend a lot of my time discussing more mainstream issues. Including why you’re in a relationship that doesn’t serve you. Please feel free to call anytime.”
“Thank you, Dr.Grand. I appreciate that.”
I find the knob as I give her a gracious smile and let myself out of the room. I’m so focused on getting the hell out of this office, I don’t even notice the brunette sitting in the waiting area.
“Scarlett? Is that you?”
As soon as I hear my name, I’m tempted to run, but the familiar voice stays my impulse. I turn slowly, keeping my face partially shielded by my hair.
“Flynn?”
My former stepsister rises and comes toward me. “I didn’t know you come here. Although I’m not surprised you need therapy, considering your father. I’m so glad my mom finally divorced his ass. What a tool, am I right?”
I find my voice again and manage to put words together that make sense. “I don’t go here. Total misunderstanding.”
Her gaze narrows, and she tilts her head. “I just watched you come out of a therapist’s office. But it’s cool if you want to pretend you didn’t. I get it.”
I don’t know if it’s the fact that we have a few shared years of history or that I’m so freaking pissed about what Chadwick did to me, but my better judgment gives way and I spill.
“My boyfriend made me an appointment with a sex therapist without telling me who I was meeting with, and now I’m pretty sure I’m going to kill him and break up with him. I’m rolling the dice on which is happening first.”
Owning what I’m going to do gives me a sense of power that I desperately need right now.
“You’re finally going to dump Chad-the-douchebag?” Her bright green eyes light up. “Good! He’s a fucking tool, and you can do way better. Did you know he hit on me at Thanksgiving last year? It was fucking gross, but I didn’t want to tell you and have you blame me for egging it on like Mom would do.”
I try to remember last Thanksgiving, but it’s a blur in my mind, except for the part where my dad told me he’d have his chef save the wishbone for me like Mom did when I was a kid. But Chadwick wanted to leave before dessert because he had to watch football, so we left.Asshole.
I meet her sharp gaze. “I know we’re not technically related anymore, but regardless, I would never blame something like that on you. You have to believe that.”
Flynn shrugs, but I can tell what I said matters from the way her expression changes. “You never know with crazy families. Still, I’m glad you’re finally breaking it off. There’s a better guy for you out there. I have no doubt. Half this city would jump at the chance to even be in the same room with you. So, how are you going to do it?”
The receptionist lifts her finger to her lips, and I move us closer to a corner with two chairs and a potted palm. “Do you want to get out of here and grab some coffee instead?”
Flynn glances down at her watch, which is a really cool artsy piece that I’d love to have in Curated. “My appointment starts in less than twenty minutes, so I’d better not. But ... I’m here at the same time every Friday if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood.”
She says it casually, as though she doesn’t want to get her hopes up, and I feel like I’ve been a shit stepsister, even if we aren’t related anymore. I always liked Flynn, probably in part because she’s mouthy and bold and doesn’t seem to give a shit what anyone thinks about her.
“I’ll make sure I’m in the neighborhood one of these Fridays soon. Take care of yourself, Flynn.”
“You too, Scarlett. And make sure to tell handsy Chadwick to go fuck himself for me.” With a bright smile, she winks and makes her way back to her seat, crossing one knee over the other so that she looks like the perfect prim and proper socialite.
But I know the truth. Flynn is way cooler than any boring socialite. I definitely need to get to know my former kinda little sister better ... and soon.
Next up, a trip to Dad’s building so I can see Chadwick and tell him face-to-face exactly what I think of his sex-therapy surprise.