Free If I Say Yes by Brandy Jellum Page B

walking again. I jog a few steps to catch up and fall in step with him as we continue down the path. The path curves, circling back in the direction I came from, towards my apartment. The rest of the walk is silent.
    We reach the parking lot of my complex, and I see his sleek, black sports car parked next to my beat up, rusted Honda. Reid stops next to his car, opens the door, and stares at me. “I’ll see you at work on Monday.” I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow, questioning him silently. “I promise I’ll be there. And this time I’m not backing out. We have a deal, after all.”
     

CHAPTER TEN
    MONDAY MORNINGS MEAN only one thing to me: an appointment with my therapist. I wonder if Mr. Harder warned Reid about my late arrivals on these days, and if so, what reason did he give him. Did he tell him the truth? That I am seeing a shrink? God, who knows what he might think if he knows I have weekly visits with Dr. Uria. She’s been my therapist since I was a child, when I would act out and throw temper tantrums.
    Of course, my mother, being the loving and doting parent she believed she was, thought I had mental issues and sought out the best help Long Port had to offer. For the first few months after my mother’s death, I refused to come see her, even after multiple messages from Dr. Uria begging me to come. Surprisingly, it was Eli’s mother, Jezebel, who convinced me to return. Who knew his mother, the drunken socialite, was good for something other than downing mimosas. We started off with three visits a week, then moving to two visits last year before my internship had started, and two months ago, I started once a week visits.
    I’m glad Jezzie, as she likes to be called, convinced me to go back. Dr. Uria knows me better than I know myself, probably more than Elias even knows me, if that is even possible. I mean, I have been seeing her for eighteen years now, so she better know a little something about me. I look forward to our weekly sessions, and am really excited about today’s visit. The nightmares are creeping back in, and she’s the only one that can talk some sense into me. I’ve never told Eli about the dreams. I don’t know why, but I just can’t.
    Since Dr. Uria’s building is conveniently only three buildings away from the office, I park my wheezing car into my assigned parking spot on the ground floor of the parking garage, making note to take it in for a tune up or drop it off at the nearest junk yard. I really love that piece of crap. It’s done well for me these past few years, but I think it’s on its last leg. I sling my purse over my shoulder and exit out to the bustling sidewalk.
    The air is warm this morning, reaffirming my decision to wear a playful, one shouldered floral dress, which is the opposite of my every day wear of skinny jeans, baby doll tees, and flats. I’m positive when I finally arrive to the office later this morning, everyone will go into shock at the sight of the dress and a pair of killer heels that make my legs seem a mile long. I smile to myself, basking in the pleasure of what everyone’s reaction will be.
    How will Reid respond to the sudden change in wardrobe? I don’t know why I even care. The man irritates the hell out of me. But he opened up to me, telling me about his mother, something he hasn’t told anyone apparently. I feel almost honored to know the truth. Yet at the same time, I can’t get a grip on his swift mood changes. I debate whether or not I should mention Reid to Dr. Uria, but then I think, is there anything really worth mentioning? Besides the kisses. Or the fact that he lights my veins on fire, and I can’t stop fantasizing about him. I immediately dismiss the idea as I open the glass door to my therapist’s building.
    I nod and wave at the slightly overweight, middle aged security guard sitting at the front desk. He waves in return and buzzes me through the next set of doors. I stop in front of the elevator, pressing the up button