Chapter One
“I must say, Kayla,I’m incredibly proud of you. Do you realize how far you’ve come?”
A little burst of joy flooded Kayla’s chest, making her fingertips and toes tingle, but she’d spent her entire life learning how to dull the sharp edge of her accomplishments. Too much emotion led to disaster on the soccer pitch and in the board room. She took a deep, steadying breath through her nose and let it slowly out through her mouth. She dropped her left foot to the ground and crossed her legs in the other direction. A twinge of pain shot through her right knee when it settled into place, just like she knew it would, and provided the dose of cold water to her excitement.
“Thanks. I’m proud of me, too,” Kayla said.
Unfortunately, Dr. Miranda Frost knew her tricks. Her eyes darted from Kayla’s slightly flared nostrils to her knee. “I’m serious. You’ve made remarkable strides for such a short time in therapy. You’re allowed to celebrate the win.”
Kayla forced a smile to her lips and made herself nod. What did Miranda Frost know about winning? Okay, so there was that little triptych of degrees behind her desk that proved she was a winner in the academic world. And, of course, the Chanel skirt suit and the Louboutin dangling from her big toe as she leaned back in her chair said she was clearly financially winning at life. But shapely calves notwithstanding, Dr. Frost wasn’t an athlete. She didn’t know how to win like an athlete. An athlete never gave up, even when they were down a goal or two with less than a minute left in the game, and that was winning in Kayla’s book. It was far too early for her to call herself a winner just yet.
What she did care about was the phrase “such a short time in therapy.” What was that supposed to mean? Kayla had nailed her recovery, but Dr. Five Inch Heels was acting like she was just starting. Time to start really laying on the charm.
“You’re absolutely right. You know how much I worry about celebrating too early, but this time I’m going to give myself permission.”
Dr. Frost nodded, and her scarlet lips turned up a few degrees at the corners. That helped. After all, who didn’t get a glimmer of pride from making a beautiful woman smile?
“I know the work we’re doing here is great, and it’s made me stronger,” Kayla said.
Another millimeter closer to a smile. Jeez, what was it going to take with this woman? Time to be a little more honest. A little vulnerability always won her over.
“And I’m on the road to being a better partner thanks to all our hard work.” Kayla couldn’t hold back her smile. “In fact, I got a message from Skye. She finally wants to meet for coffee tomorrow afternoon. We’ve been texting for a couple months now, but she’s been hesitant to meet in person. I think there’s a chance that, if I can show her how much I’ve grown, I can win her back.”
Dr. Frost’s lips snapped back into a straight line like a door slamming shut. She leaned forward, the dangling shoe nearly dropping from her toe. “Kayla, you know that’s not the goal here. You are working on your mental health for yourself, not to rekindle a relationship with your ex-fiancée.”
“Right. Of course. I know that.”
“Do you, Kayla? If you aren’t growing and moving forward, you risk falling into old habits with old partners.”
Kayla ground her teeth at the phrasing. Skye wasn’t just an “old partner.” Skye was The One. Nothing had been right in Kayla’s life since Skye had broken it off. Nothing would be right until they were back together where they belonged.
Kayla fidgeted in her seat. It would serve her better to play Dr. Hell on Heels’ game, but she couldn’t just let that go. “I do want to grow, but I don’t think I have to change who I am to become a better partner.”
“Certainly not. If you have to change yourself to have a successful relationship, then it isn’t a healthy relationship for you.”
“Exactly. I just have to show Skye that I’m a great partner.”
Dr. Frost let a moment of silence stretch a beat too long. Kayla forced herself to hold the uncomfortable eye contact until she spoke again. “What do you think makes you a great partner, Kayla? What do you think you offer a partner that no one else can?”
This was a new twist. Dr. Hell on Heels was far more likely to lead her to an answer rather than asking for one directly. The change unsettled Kayla. How the hell was she supposed to answer? “Well, I love her for one.”
“I don’t mean Skye specifically. I mean generally. What do you offer a partner in life?”
Kayla’s skin itched just at the idea of loving someone other than Skye, but she decided Dr. Frost didn’t have to know she wasthinking only of the one relationship she cared about. “I’m loyal. I would never cheat on anyone I’m with.”
“And you wouldn’t tolerate if they cheated on you?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. That shows that you expect the same from a partner that you do from yourself. What else?”
Kayla thought for a moment, but it didn’t take much soul searching. After all, this is what she was doing now, wasn’t it? “I work hard. Relationships aren’t easy, and I’m willing to put in the effort to make it work. Even if it hurts.”
“Interesting that you added that last part. Do relationships often hurt?”
“Of course. Isn’t that part of the definition of passion? Overwhelming emotion always comes with a little bit of pain.”
“But passion isn’t the ruling force in a relationship. Love, commitment, mutual respect. Those are all far more long lasting.”
