It seemed to give me a much-needed diversion from work. There were times when the long, taxing counseling sessions got to me, and it was nice to have something to distract me—especially tonight after hearing that Dalton had gotten his parole.
I’d been trying not to think about the fact that although he was out there and within reach, he was completely and entirely off-limits. Sprucing up the place with some holiday cheer was the best way I knew to do that, so I blew off my sister’s judgments about my early decorating and asked, “What are you doing here anyway? I thought you had a class on Wednesday nights.”
“I do, but I just wasn’t feeling it tonight.” She walked over and plopped down on the sofa. “And before you start in on me, I have a good reason for not going tonight.”
I adored my little sister, but there were times when she was a bit of a flake—especially when it came to something she didn’t want to do. I glanced over my shoulder and gave her a disapproving look. “Oh? And what is that?”
“My professor is a narcissistic asshole who thinks he knows it all.”
“He’s the professor, Margo. He’s supposed to know it all.”
“Yeah, but it’s more than that.” She gave me another one of her dramatic eyerolls as she explained, “This guy thinks he’s God’s gift to women and is constantly flirting with all the girls in class.”
“Has he flirted with you?”
“Well, yeah. All the time.” She crossed her arms with a huff. “Like I’d ever screw around with an old geezer like him.”
“Margo, you have to report this man to the dean!”
“He is the dean!”
“Seriously?”
“Yep, but don’t freak out. I’m going to handle it,” she replied with confidence.
“How are you going to do that?”
“I’m gonna drop his class and take it next semester with a different professor.” Before I could interject, she raised her hand and continued, “I know it’s not the perfect answer, but it’s the only one that keeps me on track with my degree and won’t mark me as some kind of martyr.”
“I’m really sorry you have to deal with this.”
“Me too, but for now, it gives me a night off.” A smile crossed her face. “How about we order dinner and find a movie to watch?”
“I would be up for that, and I’ll even pay for the pizza if you help me put the rest of the ornaments on the tree.”
“I’ll tell ya what. I’ll pay for the pizza and keep you company while you do your whole decorating thing.”
“Fine, but I want cheese sticks, too.”
“You got it.”
I continued to decorate my small apartment, only stopping long enough to eat a slice of pizza with Margo. I’d just sat down on the sofa next to her when she asked, “So, how are things going with work?”
“Okay, I guess. I have two new clients this week and possibly two more coming in at the end of the month.”
“I guess the holidays really do bring out the crazy in people.” I didn’t respond. Instead, I simply glared at her. When she saw the disapproving look cross my face, she quickly nudged me with her elbow. “Oh, come on, sis. I was just teasing.”
“Mm-hmm.” I was accustomed to Margo giving me a hard time about my work, so I simply shook my head and said, “I’m just doing my part to help people deal with a tough time.”
And just like that, thoughts of Dalton came crashing through my mind. I’d been working so hard to put him out of my head, but just the mention of my work had every thought I’d ever had about him come rushing back, making that empty feeling in my chest ache more than ever.
I tried to fight it, knowing it was wrong. I was his therapist. It was my job to help Dalton move past his indiscretions, not get involved with him. My actions could cost me my job and so much more, but I missed my sessions with him.
I missed being with him, talking with him, and most of all, I missed the way I felt when he looked at me. He had this way of making me feel things I never had before and feared I might not ever again.
I was officially the world’s worst therapist.
It was beyond inappropriate for me to even think this way about a client, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. Dalton Hughes was my kryptonite, but thankfully, since he was released on probation, I was no longer his therapist and could put him out of my head for good. I was still lost in my thoughts when Margo said, “There you go again.”
“What?”
“You looked like you were a million miles away.” Concern filled her eyes as she continued, “You’ve been like that for months. One minute you’re all happy, and then you get weird like something is bugging you. What’s going on?”