And Tess, being Tess, lifts a hand for a high-five. “Hell yes. Welcome to the fucking club, girl. Ex killers.” She starts waving her hands excitedly. “Oh! Oh! Ex-Terminators.” Her grin widens. “We should start an ‘Unalive Your Ex’ support group.”
I blink at her, stunned.
It takes half the session to finally get Tess to focus on herself and her healing, but when the hour is over, I genuinely feel better. It’s nice knowing I have someone else who understands. Even if she’s a little too enthusiastic about it.
The rest of the morning flies by, and then Eli arrives with lunch, ready to pretend he’s my client again so I don’t get fired for gross misconduct.
“So, what did you do this morning?” I ask, digging into my salad.
Eli blinks at me like I’ve asked the stupidest question in the world. “Watched you.”
Fuck. Right. Hedidsay he’d find a way to stay close without being spotted.
I want to ask how… but I’m a little too concerned to find out.
I steer the conversation away from his stalking. “When do you go back to work?”
“I don’t.”
I almost choke on a piece of lettuce. “What?”
He shrugs. “I quit.”
I hesitate, suddenly wary. “Why?”
“Because if I’m there, then I’m not here,” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“You quit… so you can watch me?” I ask slowly.
His head bobs. “I knew you wouldn’t quit—and I wouldn’t expect you to—but I told you: I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
I pause. “I wasn’t actuallyinyour sight though, right?”
Eli shrugs. “I said what I said.”
Well. That’s equal parts creepy and endearing.
“Eli,” I breathe, my heart suddenly heavy. “You can’t live your whole life just watching me.”
“Why not?”
“Well, for one, there’s no need. Gia is gone. So is Liam. I’m not in any danger.”
He frowns.
“And two,” I add gently, “it’s unhealthy.”
“So?”
“So maybe we should use these ‘appointments’ to helpyou. Do some real therapy?”
He lifts one shoulder. “I guess.”
“You don’t think you need it anymore?” I ask at his nonchalance.
“You cured me, Angel.”
“Cured you?”