Page 88 of Novice Girlfriend

I kept it simple. Taylor’s people needed help besides with magic. Lots on our side did, and it wasn’t the side of the council really anymore after how corrupt they were. We needed the help, especially when half of the council was on our side. And people wanted to help but didn’t have the tools or training.

She was the training they needed and she could. So it was time to not accept new patients and fight for those who couldn’t, even if she wasn’t a fighter. There was more she could do than sticking her head in the sand and pretending she’d left it in the past. She hadn’t.

She couldn’t.

Leigh Moon couldn’t run from who she was by living with humans.

That landed a hit she didn’t like but accepted. She was at least that self-aware. She was quiet a few moments but then gave me a curious look. “What made you get to this place? Not people needing therapy, but me and teaching them?”

“Honestly?”

She snorted. “Yes, I prefer it instead of lies and my time wasted.”

It was my turn to snort. “You’d be surprised how often that isn’t the actual answer.”

She laughed. Leigh Moon actually laughed and it was a good one. “No, I wouldn’t be, Kelton. I listen to people for a living and I’m good at my job even if I fumbled big time with Bevin.”

That was a valid point and I said as much.

“Clare Shaw—Millen,” I admitted. “She’s not a fighter either. I figured you weren’t since Bev says your parents are nice and what she told us about your session. I get that, but the guilt was on your face when—Clare is the same, but she helps when she can.”

“Expound on that,” she pushed.

I blinked at her and she realized why after a moment, both of us chuckling.

But I still answered. “It will sound a bit weird, so hear me out.”

“I’m fairly open.”

Ohhhhh, I would debate that, but I wouldn’t since I wanted her on my side and to get her help. “She feeds everyone.” I waved off the scathing comment she was ready to give me from the venom that filled her eyes. “She likes to feed everyone. She got free and found out she likes to cook. She likes meal prep and people happy around her.

“Fed people are happy. They appreciate her and thank her. My mom says she hates dishes and grocery shopping, so someone she used to work with does that for them. Cool. Clare likes the meal planning and organizing for the ‘fighters’ to help. It’s not sexist. She’s making her own path and she likes it.”

“She probably likes getting to know the guards on a personal level after being with the Shaws where they were all corrupt and would hurt her for fun after how her father treated them,” she muttered. She gave me a look to file that away when I blinked at her.

Okay, fine, she was probably good at her job but messed up with Bevin.

“Maybe, I don’t really know her because I messed up bad with Bevin and then snapped at Clare that she didn’t get to pretend to be a sister now after all these years. I know they’re repairing—this isn’t my session.”

“No, but you need one,” she said gently.

“We all do, but we don’t have anyone who won’t use it against us. Won’t maybe make it worse. My point is that Clare understands that we need a community, not just fighters. That’s what led me to you. Your mom is helping the same. Brings meals and… I think she’s helping Bev learn how to be a girl? Bath stuff to settle her magic. I don’t know. I’m on the outside.”

“I’m sorry. That really hurts you,” she said gently with a quick glance around me. It was very subtle like she was processing and thinking of how to proceed.

“Seeing auras must really help in your work,” I muttered.

“It does,” she said. “I’ve worked hard for my life. You’re asking me to give that up.”

“No, no, I’m not.” I shook my head when she argued. “I’m asking you to pull your head out of the sand before you lose it.” I pulled out a piece of paper I’d written a number down on. “You pissed off Taylor and Link too much that they’ve written you off, but someone who works for Taylor said she’d read you in on what you’re really missing. That’s who got me here.”

She took the paper that had Emma’s number on it. Her eyes flashed shock, but then she swallowed, something making her nervous. She froze and studied me. “You don’t know who she really is, do you?”

I opened my mouth but then closed it. Frowning and then feeling stupid. “She’s from a top-tier family. She got out. I’m an idiot. It was right there in front of my face.”

“No, probably not, because the Emma I remember was beyond smart and capable and I bet she’s even more impressive now,” she said after a moment. “She’s well?”

So they knew each other. I gave her a soft smile. “Call her and find out. If nothing else, clearly it’s a chance for you to reconnect that I didn’t understand.”