Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
After that, I had a chaperone for sessions until they could trust me again.
I’ve never made it easy for anyone in my life, and it’s not that I don’t want to. I don’t want to feel like this. It’s horrible, feeling agitation and resentment all the time.
The only time I feel relaxed is when I’m in a session with Macy, and then for a couple hours afterward. Talking to her helps me, but then I go back to my old ways.
I walk to my apartment, and Reid and the blond guy head to the one next door.
Reid slides his key card through the reader, and the door clicks open.
And then, for some reason unknown to me, I walk toward them and follow them inside the apartment.
I clear my throat.
They both turn, Reid widening his eyes and Leif with a nondescript look on his handsome face.
“May we help you with something, Ms. Taylor?” Reid asks.
“I’m the freaking welcome wagon,” I say.
Leif scoffs. “Could’ve fooled me.” Then he softens. “I’m sorry.”
I shrug. “Why are you sorry? I’m being a bitch.”
A glance passes between them.
I know what it is.
They know what I’ve been through.
And they feel like they have to be soft for me. Treat me with kid gloves.
I get so damned uncomfortable when people are nice to me. It feels all wrong.
“You can agree with me,” I say to Leif.
He glances at Reid. “Okay. I agree with you. You’re being a bitch. But you have every right to be, after what you’ve been through.”
There he goes again, giving me an out. If a paperweight appeared in my hand at this moment, I’m pretty sure I’d hurl it right between his eyes.
Fine. They all want to say it’s okay for me to act like this? Then I’ll act like this.
I take in the beige walls and leather furniture in the living room. “This décor sucks.”
I hate leather furniture.
We had leather furniture in our house growing up, and even though I know it’s expensive and wears well and all that good crap, I still hate it, because it reminds me of home. Reminds me of my thighs sticking to it on a hot day.
It reminds me of my mother, sitting in her recliner and smoking a cigarette, and me, walking on eggshells, knowing she could snap at any moment.
“I think it looks fine,” Leif says.
“Good,” Reid says. “But if you want to change anything, go ahead. Just expense it.”
“I’m easy,” Leif says, giving me a stink eye. “I don’t care much about décor.”
“Good thing,” I can’t help saying. “Does everything have to be so neutral? And a glass topped coffee table? Can’t you people afford marble?”
Reid clears his throat. “This is a one-bedroom place,” he says to Leif, totally ignoring me, “and the bedroom is around that hallway, on the other side of the kitchen. The kitchen is fully stocked with groceries for you. And of course anything you need, just expense that as well.”
“Must be nice,” I scoff.
“Ms. Taylor, you have a credit card at your disposal for any necessities.”
“I don’t like to use it.”
“That’s funny,” Reid says. “My assistant says you use it quite often.”
I cross my arms. “I do. I said I don’t like to. I hate not paying my own way.”
“Then find a job,” Leif says.
“I’m trying. But I don’t have any education. Besides, Macy says I may not quite be ready.”
“It’s okay,” Reid says, his voice gentle. “Macy has my confidence, and she knows what’s best for you. We are all here for you, and we want you fully healed.”
I scoff again. “Fully healed? Never going to happen.”
“We know that.” Reid reaches toward my shoulder and then appears to think better of trying to touch me. “A part of your experience will always be with you, but you can move forward with life. You’re a smart girl, Ms. Taylor.”
“I’m a woman.”
“Of course.” Reid attempts a smile, but I can see he’s tense.
I seem to make everyone tense.
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” Reid continues. “You’re a woman, a very intelligent woman, and my family is committed to helping you in any way we can.”
Thank you, I say to myself.
I haven’t said thank you to any of the Wolfes yet. The only people I’ve thanked are Macy and my doctors on the island.
But the Wolfes?
I just can’t do it. Not yet. Even though I’m well aware of everything they’ve done for me.
I am grateful in my own way.
The words just don’t seem to come out.
For some reason, I follow Reid and Leif into the bedroom.
The king-size bed, covered in a satin black comforter, draws my gaze. I like the décor better in here. A chest of drawers and a dresser line the wall, and a door is open to reveal a large walk-in closet. The apartment is the same layout as my own, only I have a queen-size bed.