Wren stared at him without blinking. Her guarded expression didn’t change. Seconds passed, and Lee told himself to stay quiet. He knew all too well how easily she could spook.
“When?” she asked finally.
His breath left him with a rush of relief. She hadn’t thrown the idea in his face, which was good because it was the only plan he had. The only way he knew how to help her. But they weren’t in the clear yet.
“Well… I — You could see her today — if you’re ready… or you could visit her next week,” he stammered as he spoke, unsure how she’d respond to the fact that he’d made appointments for her. “I took the liberty of booking a few appointments in case you were willing to see her.”
Wren’s eyebrows rose slightly at this news, but, to his relief, she didn’t look angry. She studied him for a moment, and then a look of distress rippled across her features.
“Do you think I’m crazy?”
The question struck him like a power surge. “My God, no.” Lee pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “Of course not.”
It took a moment, but her body softened against his — just a little — and her arms came up around him. It felt so good. He needed her to understand that he was the crazy one — or he would be if she pushed him away again.
“You’re not crazy. You’ve been hurting for a long time, and now you’re going to do something about it. That’s sane, Wren. That’s healthy.”
He felt her face tilt up against his chest, and he peered down at her, smiling at the sight.
“Are you doing this because you feel sorry for me?”
Her fears marked the contours around her green eyes, and Lee brought up a hand to brace her chin. He pressed his lips to hers and drank in the sweet reunion. It had been a crushing four days, and the relief of having her in his arms, of tasting her impossibly soft lips was almost too much for him. He let Wren feel his hunger, but he held the kiss in check before pulling back again.
“Did that feel like pity?” he asked, meeting her eyes again.
Wren blushed. “No…” But she worried her lips between her teeth and gazed up at him, looking like a woman who had everything to lose. “I want to trust you.”
“I want that, too.” He tightened his arms around her. “I promise you this… I’ll never give you a reason to regret it.”
She held his gaze, and her body softened a little more — the way it had with the first of their kisses. She nodded, finally, and Lee felt her grip the back of his shirt as though she braced herself.
“Will you come with me?”
THEY SAT INa hushed waiting room of earth tones and warm lighting. The space was small and, thank goodness, empty. Wren clutched his hand as they perched on a loveseat — perched, because she could not sit back and relax, and so Lee wouldn’t either.
An hour had passed since they left the museum, leaving her bike in the care of her friends and going together in his Jeep. But as they waited, Wren grew more rigid with each moment. They probably should have skipped the coffee at Johnston Street Java, but they’d needed to kill time somehow.
“Have you met her?” she asked, staring at the door.
“Yes.”
“What’s she like?”
Lee drew in a slow breath. “Like… someone at peace.”
Wren’s eyes cut from the door back to him. “You mean like all hippy-dippy-flower-child?”
“God no.” Lee laughed, making Wren smile. “Just… like…” Lee struggled to find the right words. His one meeting with Evelyn had left him with the sense that she was the kind of person who could create a space for other people. One that was free of judgment, but not neutral. Definitely full of healing. “Like someone safe.”
Wren seemed to like this answer because she nodded and let go a sigh. Just then, the soft click of a doorknob made them both go still, and Evelyn Reed stood before them. Wearing a camel duster over an olive-green dress, she seemed as calming as her waiting room. Lee exhaled in relief because there was nothinghippy-dippyabout her. Just an air of quiet competence and compassion.
“Hello, Wren. Lee,” she said, acknowledging them both. “Wren, won’t you come in.”
Wren gripped his hand and went rigid. “C-can he come with me?”
Evelyn only smiled, unfazed by this request. “Of course.”
She turned and led the way down a short hall. Wren still gripped Lee’s hand. She didn’t need to worry. He’d never let go on his own. His chest filled with pride at the step she was taking. He wanted to tell her as much before they slipped into Evelyn’s office, but there wasn’t time. The therapist offered them a seat on the beige sofa where he’d first met with her, and as Evelyn closed the door behind them, Lee’s eyes met Wren’s.
