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“You always focus on the negative.”
She smiles. “That’s why you pay me the big bucks. Tell me why you let it get to you the way it did. It seems to me like you and Beckett were very much on the same pageabout wanting to explore a real relationship, and then a few comments from a stranger caused you to completely alter course.”
I contemplate her thoughts for a few seconds. “I think he hit the nail on the head with regards to every insecurity I have about being with a man like Beckett Windsor. That I can’t navigate his world. That I’m not good enough. You know I didn’t grow up like him.”
“And you think something completely out of your control makes you undeserving of him? Your upbringing is something you endured and through which you persevered. It doesn’t define you as a person. Everything you’ve done since to create a different life, a different path for your daughter, that’s what defines you.”
“I know you’re right. I can’t help that it makes me uncomfortable. His money makes me uncomfortable.”
“Does Beckett ever make you feel embarrassed about your different upbringings? About his wealth?”
I think for a moment and answer honestly. “Not once. He never makes me feel anything but good about myself. He’s always complimenting me. Always making me feel good.”
“Yet you let someone who doesn’t know you at all get under your skin?”
“I suppose I did.”
“Tell me more about your time with Beckett.”
I can’t help but smile. “He’s incredible. He’s sweet, generous, romantic, considerate, and so damn sexy.”
“You’ve fallen for him.”
I blow out a breath. “I have, and I’m scared shitless. I know what we did the past month is unconventional, and I’m sure you have a lot of opinions on it, but in some ways, it was special. We spent so much time talking and getting toknow each other. I’ve never done that with a man before. Things always turn physical so quickly. Beckett and I achieved this intense level of intimacy before the physical came into play.”
“It was like hundreds of dates all in a month.”
“That’s exactly what it was like.”
“And you’ve established relationships with both his daughter and mother?”
I smile. “Yes. I adore them both. His daughter, Andie, is like a breath of fresh air. Watching him be a wonderful father to her warms my heart, but it’s a little bittersweet. I see what it could be like having a devoted father, and then I ache for Jade that she didn’t have it for so long.”
“Jade’s doing fine. Declan has been a good father to her for a long time. And Collin is unfathomably perfect for her.”
“You’ve met him?”
She allows a small smile to creep through. “Yes, he likes to ruffle my feathers just like she does. Him doing a purposeful naked walk-by during her sessions has become the norm.”
I burst out laughing. “She really did find the perfect man for her. You should see them together. They’re completely in sync with each other. He loves her so much. And he’s already incredibly warm and comfortable with me.”
“Yes, I agree, so stopachingfor her. Everyone faces some adversity in their lives. Some more than others. It impacts us all nonetheless. How you come out on the other side is what matters. Jade is there.”
“You’re right. I know you are.”
“And Beckett’s mother? Tell me about her.”
“Oh god, I love her. She’s the mother I always wished Ihad. She stays with Beckett for a month every six months to help with Andie. Beckett says it’s to help give Andie the things he feels he can’t. She exudes warmth. She alluded to growing up like me, so I feel like she understands me. We have a camaraderie that’s hard to explain.”
“It sounds like she’s a fan of your relationship.”
“Very much so. I’m pretty sure she’s constantly manipulating things to get us together.”
“Does anyone make his mother feel less than worthy because of how she grew up?”
I sigh. “No, not even for a second.”
“So let me get this straight. Beckett clearly wants you. He’s not remotely hiding it or playing childish games. His mother, who’s heavily involved in his life, adores you and wants you together. You seem to get along with his daughter, who you’ve spent a lot of time with. But then his father, whom you met less than an hour earlier, misjudged you, and you spiraled.”
