After blow-drying my hair, I quickly braid it over my shoulder. No loose wavy strands.
I sit down at my desk and open Tom’s file.
The guy has a strong personality, that much is clear to me. I wonder if he’s easy to work with, and if not, how long it will take for him to lower his guard.
Some patients open up right away, and with others it takes weeks, sometimes longer, and that’s where the challenge lies. In those cases, I have to adapt, try different approaches, and create the right environment for them to feel safe. Patience and space. Those are important things to offer.
As the minutes tick by, there’s still no sign of Tom. I sigh, staring at the empty chair in front of me. Not exactly how I pictured our first session. Did something happen? Perhaps he needs more time to settle in. It also wouldn’t be the first time a guest is hesitating to walk into my office.
I check the little clock on my desk, he’s ten minutes late. I’ll better go and check on him.
Most guests have morning activities scheduled, so Arcadia is quiet right now. I only hear the troupial birds whistle from the palm trees and the tic of the sprinklers misting the grass.
I don’t have to go far. I already have a theory about where to find Tom McKenna. Too predictable, I have to say.
My feet lead me to the front desk. Funny to see my instincts were spot on.
Tom is leaning over the counter, fingers lazily playing with one of his curls as he flashes a slow, charming smile.
The girl behind the desk blushes and tries to hide her giggles.
A spark of annoyance bounces around in my chest, mingling with something else I don’t want to name right now. I clear my throat as I approach, making sure he hears me coming.
“Looks like you found a way to pass the time.”
When Tom turns, he looks completely unbothered and unapologetically arrogant. I even get the same flirty smile as he straightens. He knows he’s been caught. And yes, he seems to enjoy that.
“Doctor, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t find your studio and this sweet lady was so helpful explaining the map of this place.” He nods at her, and she immediately looks away.
I don’t acknowledge the excuse or the performance.
“How about we head to my studio now? We’ve already lost a good amount of time.”
“Of course, Doctor.”
He follows me through the meditation garden. I slow down so I can walk beside him. Small things like that can make a difference. Whatever his reason for being here, I want him to feel comfortable.
Back in my practice, I close the door behind us and gesture to the chair on the other side of the desk.
He settles in, and I head to the kitchen to pour us both a glass of ice water. The island’s in the middle of an extended dry season; offering something cold is the least I can do.
It gives me a second to compose myself. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past 24 hours, it’s that Tom McKenna loves stirring the pot.
“You can call me Yosh,” I say. “We keep things informal here to make sure everyone feels at ease. That being said, I expect my patients to be on time. Today, I get it, but let’s not make it a habit.”
“Thank you,” he says with British politeness as I hand him the drink. He downs it in one go, ice clinking against the glass as he sets it back on the table. He clears his throat.
“I totally get that, Yosh. And you can call me by my first name, too. Which you already did.”
He pauses, his mouth lifting at one corner. “But let me also be clear. I expect my doctor not to walk out on me. As for yesterday, I totally get that you were, let’s say… a little impressed by me, but let’s not make a habit of that either, shall we?”
The grip around my glass tightens.
Did he just—?
No, I must’ve misheard him. Because he couldn’t have just sat there and implied I walked out on him because I was impressed by him.
A nervous little laugh comes by itself.
