Page 22 of Her Wicked Plan

“Might be crazier.” I answer honestly.

“Damn.” He curses. “Shit, I’m being summoned into another dumb meeting. Don’t let that place get the best of you, and sleep with one eye open.”

“Brilliant advice, Myles.” I roll my eyes.

We hang up, and then I’m met with silence again. Almost silence. The only sound in this room is the grandfather clock ticking perched against the left wall.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

Inhaling a deep breath, I glance again around the office, which will be mine for now. My stomach growls, and I realize I never ate breakfast this morning. I am too nervous to eat.

Mustering up the courage, I leave my office and head to the cafeteria for food.

Early in the morning, my eyes flutter open, and it takes a moment for me to remember where I am. My arm is stretched out, the palm of my hand gliding along the sheets beneath me.

They are softer than mine at home, but of course, they are. These sheets are made of satin, while mine at home are made from cotton. I’m lying on my side, my blurred eyes staring at the dresser stationed on the wall.

I slept better than I thought I would. Maybe it’s because no patients can come down this wing, and no one can sneak into the room.

Even though the door at the end of the hall was double-locked, it didn’t stop me from locking the bedroom door. I didn’t want to take any chances.

Rolling onto my back, the ceiling above me disappears a few times as my eyes continuously blink to get a better focus on things. Once I clear my vision, I sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed.

With it being Tuesday, Veronica and I would typically meet, but I decided to start our sessions on Thursday. That way, I would have time to plan a session with her.

There are matters I want to bring up and talk about with her. Veronica’s sister might be a hard limit, but I hope she will push past the uncomfortable issue and speak with me about it.

With time.

I shower and get dressed. Today, I'm wearing navy blue slacks with a lighter blue, almost white button-up. I’ve brought some short-sleeved, professional shirts, but it gets cold in the building.

Also, I have to talk with Dr. Bennett about their policy on tattoos since my arms are covered.

When I enter the cafeteria, I take a cup of coffee from the woman behind the metal counter, aware of the multiple eyes on my back. Turning around slightly and stepping over to the food, I find the feeling accurate.

Patients who are enjoying their breakfast are gawking at me. It might take some time, but I need to get used to it. To the wandering looks and lust-filled gazes.

Only one woman doesn’t have her eyes on me. With her back facing me, head down in a book or something else, I know it’s Veronica. You can’t mistake those curls for someone else’s.

I grab a breakfast sandwich and head to her table to find her reading a book. I keep walking since she doesn’t seem to notice me.

“Not even going to say hi?” Her voice is sharp, and when I peer at her over my shoulder, she hasn’t even taken her eyes away from the book.

“You seemed very enthralled with your story. I didn’t want to disrupt you.”

She closes the book, not marking her spot, and sets it face up on the table. “You can disrupt me anytime you want. Plus, I’ve read this one before.”

I glance down at the cover, which is almost hypnotizing. All within one another, circles start large and continue down until the circle in the center couldn’t even hold a penny. Tilting my head to the side, I read the title.

“The Bell Jar.”

“It’s an excellent book, but...” She sighs. “I’m finding it hard to focus on the words. Every time I read any part of it, my eyes go blurry, and my mind wanders.”

“I’m surprised they have this book available for you guys.”

“You’ve read it?” she questions, leaning back into her chair.

“When I was in college, yes. We had to read it for a class.”