“Yes. But I’m still bringing you lunch. I’ve done that before.”
Emily nods slowly, cautiously. “Kayla thinks you have two lunchtime appointments per week. She put them on my calendar.”
I hate this arrangement, but I paste on a smile. “Okay. Lunch twice a week.”
Emily
We might have a problem. And bywe, I mean me. Or Eli. I supposeweworks.
So far, I’ve managed to pass off Eli’s frequent visits to my office as new appointments. But if his growing need to be close is anything to go by, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this secret.
If it gets out, my career is over. There’s no way around it. For us to haveanykind of relationship, he would need to have not been my patient for at least five years.
Oh shit.
I haven’t updated my address—mostly because I kept telling myself this wouldn’t be permanent. They still think I live in my old flat.
I can’t give them Eli’s address.
It’s already on file.
But what if they need to send me something important? I have to give themsomething.
This is an issue for another time. Right now, I need to catch up on my emails and double-check my notes from my last sessions.
At nine-thirty, I leave my office to greet my first patient. Thankfully, it’s Tess. Now that we’ve moved to monthly appointments, she requested a new slot on a Monday instead of a Friday, and starting my week with a familiar face is exactly what I need.
“How are you today?” I ask as she settles onto the sofa. Baby Nico is in his pram beside her, since Kai is at work.
I lower myself into my usual armchair, but the movement makes me wince at the pull in my wound.
Her head tilts, forehead scrunching. “Have you hurtyourself?”
“What gave it away?” I drawl, rolling my eyes.
“What happened?”
“We’re not here to talk about me.”
“What if talking about you would helpme?”
“Tess,” I groan.
“Please?” She wobbles her bottom lip dramatically.
I swallow hard, staring at the ceiling before forcing the words out. “My ex showed up.”
“Oh my god. What did he do?”
“Shetried to kill me.”
She gasps. “You’re gay?”
“I’m bi—is that really all you’re getting from that?”
She waves me off. “No, no. I’m just assuming Eli dealt with—” she leans in, chin tucked, eyes wide, “—her.”
“Actually… I ‘dealt with her.’” I make air quotes, just to be clear.