Page 61 of Miss Treated

“Like is an understatement. I want a future with her.”

I had to hold the phone away from my ear when my mom squealed. “I’m so happy for you. Even more reason for her to meet the entire family.”

I brought my voice down to a whisper deciding to confide in my mom. “She got out of a bad relationship last year, and we’re taking things slow. I don’t want to overwhelm her.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry to hear that. But if anyone can bring light and laughter to her life, it’s you.”

I smiled. No one got me like my mom did. “Thanks. She makes me happy.”

“Your job doesn’t.” It wasn’t a question. Simply a matter-of-fact statement.

“I promised Dad I’d try. And you and I both know if I don’t give it the full year, I’ll always hear about how I can’t commit to anything.” I still got grief for changing majors three times and universities twice.

She let out a long breath. “I want you to be happy. Not tied to a career you don’t enjoy.”

It was the eternal struggle, wasn’t it? Did anyone truly love their career? Or did they simply appreciate at least some aspects of it? I was still figuring it out. But I wanted my father to take me seriously. Or at least more seriously, which meant I was keeping my commitment. He trusted me with his business, so I needed to honor that trust and give it everything for the full year. So what if I was already counting the days?

“Me too.”

“Meet you for lunch on Monday?”

“I’d like that.”

“Good. Love you, kid.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

Kelsey came inside fifteen minutes later.

“You all done, or in search of a snack?” I inquired.

“All done for the day. You sick of me taking up your space yet?”

I lifted her onto my countertop and stepped between her thighs. “Not even close. But you look tired.” Either from me keeping her up or her nightmare. “You want a nap?”

She ran her hands down my chest. “Is nap a code word for sex? Cuz if so, I’d like two, please.”

I threw my head back and laughed. This girl had no idea what she did to me with such a simple touch. “How about once before sleep and once after?”

She sighed. “I’m sorry for waking you last night.”

“Do I look like I’m sorry?” Her face heating at how we’d spend the next hour was enough to make me hard again. But I had to ask, “Do you have nightmares often?” She hadn’t seemed to be bothered by any when she’d spent the night with me in New York, so I was curious.

“No. Last night was the first. I’ve only been with my ex before you, and only slept in a bed with him, so I think last night my subconscious thought I was there again. I dreamt I was trying to escape this quicksand bed, and I couldn’t. I’m very sorry. The last thing I want is to tell you I was thinking about another man while in bed with you.”

“At least you were trying to escape him.” I gave her a lopsided grin. “I’d rather you be honest always. And for you to be able to talk to me.”

“My therapist will have a field day with this when I talk to her tomorrow.” Her eyes suddenly got big. “Guess now would be a good time to mention I have a therapist.”

I leaned forward to kiss her softly. “Kels, without this coming out the wrong way, I’m glad. You need someone to talk to about what you went through. You know, I had one when I was a kid.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I was old enough to understand how sick I was, and when a seven-year-old starts asking questions about death and God, and when he starts talking about a bucket list in his second-grade class, it freaks out the other kids and the teachers. And since parents don’t come with a manual on how to discuss those things, my mom and I went to therapy. I think it’s a stronger person who asks for help than one who ignores things and hopes they get better.”

“How do you always know what to say?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, aside from my dancing and my fear of flying, I’m pretty fucking perfect.”