Dana was wrapping up the session when she cleared her throat. “Before we break, I want to remind everyone that I’ll be scheduling individual one-on-ones to discuss the group project, progress, and air any grievances we may have had along the way.”
Marco shifted in his chair and reached for the back of his neck. “So, do we got to like, uh, present our stuff…out loud for everyone or just chat with you?” His wariness was apparent for the room to see.
“We welcome all types of sharing in the room. However, there will be no presentation required. Just conversation. Remember, being honest with ourselves is more important than worrying about the logistics of how it comes out,” Dana said with an endearing smile.
I could hardly concentrate on her voice while Asher stared attentively at me, hardly blinking.
The chemistry between us felt like sparks snapping in the air, all-consuming yet invisible to the world around us.
Dana dismissed the group, and Asher shot up from his seat like he was waiting for permission to do so. He rushed over to me, but remained aware that my level of comfort with public displays of affection was a lot different than his. Still, his hands landed on my waist without hesitation.
“Staring at you for two hours is fucking torture when I can’t put my hands on you,” he confessed.
A smile betrayed my face before I could stop it. I’d never had someone obsess over me like this. And if I was being honest with myself, this felt like the only way anyone should exit this world— chosen and worshipped, with a man on their knees for them. This was a type of power I could get used to.
In another life.
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “What’s swarming that pretty brain of yours, Lennon?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. Just…taking you all in. I’ve never had someone fawn over me, Asher. It feels like I stole someone else’s life and they’re going to come take it back any minute.”
“It’s all yours,” he said sweetly, ducking down to my eye level. “I’m all yours.”
My stomach fluttered.
“I have to call my sister, Mila,” he added. “I just need an update on my brother’s condition.”
Concern flickered across my brain. “What’s going on with your brother?”
He waved it off easily. Too easily. “Oh, just family stuff. He got hurt and I’ve been checking in on him every hour.”
A quiet chuckle left his lips, then he kissed my forehead and stepped away.
I chose to wait in the hallway to give him privacy. I exited where everyone else had just piled out of already. The corridor was strangely quiet. Hospitals never truly had moments of rest, so when I entered out into the loneliness, I embraced the peace. Sunlight poured through the skylights, artificial hope for people drowning in the darkest times.
The sun outside was shining brightly, taunting me to enjoy it.
I tilted my head back allowing the warmth to touch my face, forgetting my surroundings.
What was I doing in this life?
I had a date pinned down. An ending. A final destination.
So why did part of me feel like I wanted it to…extend itself? Why did I feel like maybe, just maybe, things could work out?
“Why hello, Lennon!”
The voice startled me out of my spiral. I made eye contact with a small, middle-aged woman approaching with confident steps and a bright, deliberate smile, projecting that spirit ontothose around her. She carried a beautiful way about her. She extended her hand for me to take.
Confusion ran rampant on my face, and she startled. “Oh goodness, where are my manners? I’m Dr. Graves. But please, call me Blythe. I’m the one responsible for the development of Group Therapy for Mental Health Outcomes. The developer, if you will.”
Then it clicked.
“Oh. Right.” Shaking my head, I stuck out my hand to meet hers. “You must’ve read my file then.”
She nodded. “Ms. Galloway has mentioned you are making great progress in the group, so I thought I’d pop by to check in on everyone else.”
Feeling unsure of what more to say to her, I settled on. “I’ve attended a few groups before. This one has probably been the most…impactful.”
