“Yep.” She winced, pulling her legs into a crisscross position. “No more stalker.”
There was a slight pause and then, “Well, thank goodness for that. And I have to say, you do sound a bit brighter today.”
“I feel a little brighter.” A teeny, tiny truth.
Shedidfeel brighter. Or lighter. Or…something that fell somewhere on the vast spectrum of positivity.
Last night’s hot shower had helped tremendously. The five shower heads, gorgeous ceramic tile, and built-in bench were a definite improvement to the camper-sized shower insert at the motel. And the bed…
It was the most comfortable bed she’d ever slept in. That or she’d been too utterly exhausted to care. Either way, she was out the second her head hit the heavenly plush of the pillow.
The realist in her gave credit to feeling truly safe for the first time in over a year. Something Cera had begun to think she’d never feel again.
And it was all thanks to Ivan.
Tall.
Blond.
Blue-eyed Ivan.
The man who’d starred in the very real, veryarousingdream she’d had while sleeping in the most comfortable bed in the world.
But then morning had arrived, and she quickly remembered why she was in that bed to start with.
“Well, that’s just great, Cera,” Dr. Randall announced happily, snapping her from her thoughts. “It sounds as if things are finally looking up for you.”
“Thanks,” she offered softly, glancing at her watch.
Most patients probably counted the minutes until their sessions were over, but not her. She actually looked forward to their monthly sessions. Probably because he was the only person alive who truly knew her.
You have got to find yourself some friends once this nightmare is over.
Cera’s subconscious wasn’t wrong. Other than cops and people at the grocery store where she worked a few days a week, she didn’t know anyone else. A sad truth she did her best to ignore.
Most days, it worked.
What about Ivan? You know him, now, too.
Yes and no. She knew Ivan Petrov like a soccer mom knows the random drive-thru worker at McDonald’s. Aside from his name and where he worked, Cera didn’t know diddly squat about the man.
Although in last night’s steamy dream, she’d gotten to know every square inch of him. And boy, had there been several mouthwatering inches for her to become acquainted with.
Can you please focus on reality before Dr. R. figures out you’ve pretty much bullshitted him this entire session?
“I think things really are looking up, Dr. Randall.” She added a chuckled, “About time, right?”
“You are definitely due a turn of good luck, that’s for sure. Hopefully things will continue looking up for you from now on.”
Dream Ivan sure was…up…last night.
The unsolicited thought nearly had Cera choking. She quickly swallowed, but in her attempt to avoid it, her spit went down the wrong way. Which caused her to, well, choke.
An ugly coughing fit ensued, and by the time she’d regained the ability to speak, there were tears in Cera’s eyes, and her cheeks felt flush. “Sorry about…that.” She cleared her throat again. “I, uh…” Another clearing. “I guess I swallowed wrong.”
Dream Cera definitely swallowed something last ni—
“Wow, would you look at that?” Cera spoke up again. A quick glance at her watch gave her the perfect out. “Our time’s up already. Boy, that was fast.”