Aunt Faye sniffed into the tenth piece of Kleenex she’d grabbed in twenty minutes. “Blake, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“You deserve better. Do you really want to be with this man forever?”
Against my better judgment, I’d agreed to let my aunt bring her husband to one of our sessions. I counseled women on leaving, not mending relationships. Yet, I couldn’t resist the woman who’d taught me how to write my name in cursive, the woman who’d pressed my hair, the woman who’d bought me pancakes from McDonald’s every other Saturday because I loved them. Obviously, she wasn’t ready to leave her trifling second husband alone, and I hated to see her like this week after week—dejected, whiny, and sad. As much as I loved her, after today, she’d need to find amarriagecounselor or a clinical psychologist.
“I know it’s over,” she said. “I just didn’t want to admit it, and I definitely don’t want to go through a second divorce.”
I squeezed her shoulders. “It’s okay to walk away. You’ve proven that, time and again.”
She shot me a wobbly smile. “It doesn’t feel like that, Blake. Every relationship I’ve had has failed.”
“Because the men you’re choosing are not worthy of you. I’ve been telling you that since I was a kid.”
My aunt hugged me. “I’m so proud of you. Not just because of how successful you are, but because ofwhoyou are. You saved my life all those years ago when Walter kicked my ass. You stayed on me, encouraged me to get out of that toxic relationship. And you’ve continued to set an example of a strong woman.”
“You’re strong too, Auntie. You’ve persevered, and you’ve never given up on the fairytale.”
She wiped her nose. “I won’t. Even after everything that’s happened, I still believe in love and happy endings.”
I laughed. “That’s where Bliss gets it from, huh?”
Grinning, she nodded. “I guess so. But you can have it too, baby.”
I swallowed. Getting to happily ever after had never been something I’d considered. I’d told myself I didn’t need it, that I didn’t need a man to make my life complete. In hindsight, I could recognize the lie hidden in all that false bravado. Because underneath my happily-never-after persona, I was just scared. Terrified to open myself up, to let someone in, to get hurt.I’m still scared.
“I’ll call Dallas and set up a meeting.” Aunt Faye pulled me into an embrace. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I walked my aunt to the door. After we said our goodbyes, I called Lennox and asked him to stop by after his last class.
Fifteen minutes later, my admin poked her head into the office. “Blake?”
“Hey, Lexie,” I said. “What’s up?”
She stepped into the office and closed the door. “You have a client.”
“I’m done for the day.”
“You might want to see this woman.” Walking over to my desk, she set a Post-It down. In big letters, the name “Dory” was scrawled on it. “She’s right outside, tells me her name is Hannah.”
I scribbled a note for her to call Jace. “Okay, I’ll see her. Send her in.”
Lexie hurried to the door and ushered Dory into the office before she disappeared, hopefully to call the police. I popped a piece of candy into my mouth and stood.
“Hi,” Dory said.
“Hannah, huh?” I kicked off my shoes, just in case I had to kick her ass. “What are you doing here?”
“You’re with Professor Cole.”
Planting my hands on my desk, I asked again, “What are you doing here?”
“I saw you with him. You were walking at the park, hand in hand. Then, I saw you leaving his house. I saw him entering your place. Why are you with him?” she shouted.
It occurred to me in this moment that no one had really told this girl the truth. She’d lived her life thinking the world was hers for the taking, that she could have anyone, that she could do anything without consequences. “I don’t owe you an explanation for what I do or who I do it with. You’re wanted by the police. Yet, you’re here—upset about a man who’s never been yours. You created an entire relationship with your professor; you nearly destroyed his career. Yet, you’re here trying to check me for some perceived offense.”
“You told me you’d help me.”
