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His smile faded and she knew she owed him more.
“B-being honest, there are things in my past...there would be no way to hide them if someone went digging. I like you, Isaiah. Your family name goes back generations and we both know nothing is ever truly buried.”
There was a deep crease between his eyes as he considered her words. “Nina. Have you been protectingme?”
Arching one brow, she said, “You’re a fucking teddy bear. Happily skipping through the world with laughter and throwing money at people. You haveno ideawhat a shit storm someone like me would represent to your calm existence. I protect you from who IknowI am, not who youthinkI am. There’s a canyon of space between the two, Isaiah.” She patted his chest and winked. “I can’t tell you how much I loved walking on the wild side with you though.”
“Hmm,” he said gruffly. “Little bitty thing like you protecting me. It’s ludicrous.” He blew her a kiss and headed upstairs to the sound booth. Over his shoulder, he said, “Get straight and come on back, Nina. Enough money insulates you from everything.”
As he disappeared, she murmured, “Not frommypast, Isaiah. All the money in the world couldn’t protect you from that.”
Grabbing her bag, she walked across town to her little one-room walk-up. She could afford to upgrade to a better place but didn’t because she liked the bodega downstairs.
Dropping her stuff on the sleeper sofa that took up most of the apartment when it was open, she stared at the card Isaiah gave her: Dr. Kelley Hawkins, Psychologist.
Sticking it to her slim fridge with a magnet, she showered, made a quick salad with tuna, and stared at the black paper rectangle while she ate at the narrow bar that served as her dining room.
Lifting the phone off the cradle, Nina dialed the number listed and a cheerful voice answered, “Hello! This is Dr. Hawkins’ office. How can I help you?”
Clearing her throat, the words dried up in her mouth. Her lips parted but nothing came out. It didn’t even feel like she was breathing.
The woman on the other end said gently, “My name is Sophie. I’m Dr. Hawkins’ assistant. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. If you’d like to come in,” there was a pause as pages turned in the background, “the doctor had a cancellation tomorrow afternoon. It’s her last appointment of the day so no one would be around. You’re welcome here. If you’d like us to prove that, come in at four-thirty tomorrow and the doctor can introduce herself.”
Nina hung up and stared at the phone as her body shook.
“No way. I can’t.”
The following day, she went home after rehearsals and paced her apartment in agitation after her shower and lunch.
“I-I need to walk…”
She grabbed her bag and ran downstairs. Walking rapidly, tuning out the other pedestrians, Nina made it to the psychologist’s office at four-twenty. She stared at the building, frozen in confusion.
A voice said cheerfully beside the door, “Hello. I’m Sophie. I think we talked yesterday.”
Nina glared at the petite redhead and snapped, “You seriously greet potential patients on the streetalone? This is New York, not Mayberry. I could be a serial killer, for fucks’ sake.”
The woman laughed. “You’re fabulous already.” She approached Nina and held out her hand. “Sophie Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins is my aunt.”
Thrown off balance, Nina shook her hand. “Nina Adams.”
“Come on up, Nina Adams. I’ll pretend I don’t recognize your name or face from the dozen times I’ve seen your latest play.” Nina’s eyes widened. “Confidentiality from the moment you dialed the office yesterday. Come meet Aunt Kelley. She’s a huge fan.” Holding the door wide, pale blue eyes stared up at her. “That doesn’t mean she won’t be the person you need to talk to. Meet her. You’ll see.”
Nina stepped into a gorgeous lobby and followed the shorter woman to the bank of elevators. The strange assistant hummed a show tune under her breath.
As the doors opened, Sophie turned to her and grinned. “You don’t seem the type but...try not to stare.” They crossed the hall and the redhead held the door for Nina.
On the other side of the room, a child turned and then she realized it wasn’t a child but a little person. With bright red hair and pale blue eyes like her niece, the woman threw her arms wide and sang Nina’s opening song in the current play loudly and with obvious adoration.
Her pitch was perfect.
In awe, Nina said, “Your voice is beautiful…”
The woman snorted and grabbed a cane to walk across the room. “If I’d ever passed three-six, perhaps I could have had a career playing children. As it was, I decided to tap dance my way through the human mind.” She had the barest trace of Irish in her voice. In front of Nina, she smiled up at her and extended the hand not holding the cane. “Kelley Hawkins, Miss Adams. We adore your work.”
“Thank you. Please call me Nina.” Nina took her hand, smiled, andintendedto discuss their obvious love of the theater.
Instead, she crumpled into wracking sobs. Covering her face, her entire body shook.
