"My head is fucking pounding."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIbohnurLX
"Maybe don't finish an entire bottle of wine," I mumbled as I slid a cup of fresh steaming coffee across the kitchen island to her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXTpfl3rQQ
"I get it—you're mad," Kai sighed as she picked up the steaming mug of coffee.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpn4aPLwQ9
"I am mad," I said, walking around the kitchen island toward her, "Because you always do this when you're drunk."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDLyg3sE9M
Kai took a hesitant sip of her steaming coffee, "I know, I just thought it was a funny story and—"
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpfiXTLls7
"And? It's still my business," I emphasized, standing beside her at the kitchen island she was leaning over.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHKlIiHzCc
"I'm sorry," Kai didn't hesitate to say the two words I constantly hear from her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i3V6KD8mS
It felt like it was easier for her to say them than show them.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Vzdo1YQc
"I just wish you would stop doing that, Kai," I admitted with a deep sigh, feeling entirely conflicted.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9FlJ2hE48
"I know-I know, I'm a terrible friend and I have a big mouth and I always fuck up—"
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBworFyehD
"Kai," I sighed, cutting her negative rant short as I eyed her face, "I one hundred percent agree."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhVfhS8Ebr
My best friend scoffed jokingly, glancing down at my lips when they spread into a smile.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ7lZz7rZZ
She knew I was joking with her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51TZDUuJW0
"I really am sorry, River—I didn't realize Zion and Sid couldn't know about it," Kai admitted, her tone more serious than before.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE15ttkzpD
"It's fine," I mumbled, awkwardly nudging my arm into hers.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhfOkk1wmi
I could never actually be mad at her, or even considering not being her friend, especially because she's always here for me when I need her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpN3r4qnxC
Kai smiled as she took another sip of her coffee, "So all is well in Kai and River world?" she asked, lowering the mug in her hand.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedxeq92eXs
I nodded, "All is amazing," I assured her, knowing she overthinks more than me, "I love you too much to be mad at you."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iaaMjZMOf
Kai hummed happily, "Good because you're the only one that can ever put up with all this," she joked, popping her hip with a snap.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TQvOaxq84
I dramatically rolled my eyes, "It's a lot to deal with too," I added sarcastically.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SBGKJb3UU
"Because I'm that fucking incredible," Kai said as she took another sip of her coffee, "Wanna shower together before therapy?"
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbprm4gc9R8
I shrugged, "Yeah, I just can't get my hair wet," I told her, knowing I had a hairstyle planned for my day two hair.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb9BN0BhjC
"More hot water for me," Kai determined as she backed away from the kitchen island, bringing her cup of coffee with her as we walked toward my room.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vaz5RCmmK
Once we entered my bathroom, I reached for my hair in a ponytail—tying it in a tight bun away from my face before stripping out of my oversized t-shirt and underwear.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQdPMOMu7l
Kai took off her sweatshirt and sweatpants, stripping out of her underwear as I turned on the shower to the hottest setting.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9BcAqmLrq
It only took a few seconds for the water to grow steamy, clouding the glass walls of the shower as I turned on my Bluetooth speaker and started playing one of my playlists.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj8aDscY6y
Kai waited for me as I quickly used my dry brush all over my body to exfoliate my skin.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5utcLtX2n
Once I had finished, we walked over to the shower opening together.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcpWlBXO1C
The steam engulfed us perfectly as we walked deeper into the shower, angling our bodies under the hot water.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlECNooln2p
It was like any other shower we took together— singing to the music together as we washed ourselves.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBw02BS9j9
Kai focused on washing her hair and body with the products she left here for herself.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLMvu9iD50
I focused on exfoliating my body with different scrubs, grabbing my exfoliating net to clean my skin afterward.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWnVplQfVU
I was out of the shower before Kai, drying off my body before pulling on my silky cheetah robe that fell to my mid-thighs.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEHO414aYe
While Kai finished showering, I picked out my outfit for the day.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQctf3G87m
A black low-cut tank top, a forest green leather jacket, and black low-rise jeans.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzOoWYO2rK
I grabbed the black Golden Goose platform sneakers I wore yesterday to pair with the casual outfit— throwing them on my bed so I could finish getting ready in my robe.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69MvCnwmH1
My hair was first on the agenda, slicking half of it up and leaving the rest down.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAroz3CNvm
The half-up was in a side part, going over my hair with a straightener since I got tired of my wavy blowout.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20OqwoqQkT
I planned to do a wash day tonight to refresh my curls and let them breathe for a little while before adding more heat.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULjiRBpCFG
It was something a hairstylist in LA taught me rather than my mother.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT3QinAUXq
Next, I put on a little makeup, filling my brows in and gelling them down before putting on light concealer.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGgJ5fyUuz
I also added a liquid blush on my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose, applying highlight over it.
Last, I lined my lips with a brown liner, adding a pinkish nude gloss over it.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97rF8z1TCf
Then I got dressed in my outfit, sliding on my low-rise jeans first before carefully pulling on the smooth black tank top so I wouldn't mess up my makeup.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjbbU54SE2
The tank top combined with the low-rise jeans left a small part of my lower stomach revealed, pulling my dark green leather jacket on before slipping my shoes on.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb4l96Cm90
By the time I sprayed on my perfume, Kai was luckily done in the bathroom.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnyh2zy3ER
She didn't get ready or anything considering she would take longer than me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxLE6gAAHq
Instead, she pulled on one of my sweatshirts and sweatpants to wear home, keeping her damp hair brushed back and her face bare.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c2gxfkNWS
"Have fun getting your brain poked at," Kai jokingly said as we parted ways through the parking garage.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYMw6dZgvR
"Fuck you, Kai," I jokingly said as I unlocked my Mercedes.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WJwsxHxAg
She sauntered over to her silver Porsche, flicking me off as she unlocked it.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwCqCbBtSY
I rolled my eyes with an amused smile as I slid into my car and closed the door, getting settled in the driver's seat.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGwTPmxjGV
After buckling my seatbelt, I started the car and put it in drive, following behind Kai's Porsche out of the parking garage.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NYga0BkWj
-
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIR4tONtNH
The therapy office wasn't exactly what I expected.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3JNIZAj59
Or where I expected.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mIViJnwtT
Yes, it was downtown, but instead of the quaint brick building I envisioned—it was a tall skyscraper instead.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKxT5yeamJ
And parking was a fucking mess.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYECVGhTCTs
I couldn't find a single parallel parking spot so I had to pay for parking in the nearby parking garage.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Hj8CV4xD
I wasn't that affected given it's my mother's money, and she's the one who wanted me in therapy to begin with.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYw1SJSdd0
I was just irritated because I looked for parking for ten minutes straight, having to avoid one-way streets.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pm7jtCVU6
I still didn't rush since I didn't want to be here in the first place.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A2olxIjrj
I took my time walking into the modern building, glancing around the sleek lobby filled with people either waiting for the elevator or leaving past me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjC8wRW54k
I noticed the glowing directory sign in the middle of it all, deciding to look at that before going over to the front desk where polished workers sat with security guards off to the side.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfwOw0T0TU
My dark eyes read over the different levels.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG4RLvJrbT
The first ten levels consisted of cafes and restaurants–along with yoga studios and a full-on fucking spa.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8lZD4F2hU
Levels ten through thirty were corporate offices like law firms, financial services, and a tech startup.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YJESEzDwQ
Levels thirty-one through forty-five were where I noticed the therapy practices and two private medical practices.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwyYhr7kTt
Then from levels forty-six and up were luxury apartments, rooftop bars, and restaurants at the very top.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bMvtVN4W6
This building had everything—I honestly considered why I didn't live here myself.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDhjabHYk9
Then again, I wouldn't like the idea of so many things going on in my apartment building.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEoChPtxAX
I walked past the directory toward the elevators after ensuring I was going to the right therapy practice.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LyPBedswr
I had to double-check my messages to confirm that the name was The Meridian Practice.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL6gfa0Nk1
It was on the forty-fifth floor, involving a decently long elevator ride with strangers stopping on various floors.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBKcNuzq14
At this point, I was over fifteen minutes late, which naturally made me smile.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCMUuu4SlT
Only because I knew it would probably irritate a certain therapist.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLCoD5eKMg
It felt like I was returning the irritation she caused me the other night.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPz5Bwy6bn
I glanced at the doors when they smoothly dinged open–revealing the dim lobby.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSClSu7JLnw
I stepped off the elevator with a sigh, rolling my shoulders back.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3Lh5VIHiM
My dark eyes trailed the lobby, taking in the marble black floors, sleek receptionist desk, tinted floor-to-ceiling windows, and the waiting area with black cushioned chairs.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtNTk2UO2T
The ceiling lights were turned low to a dimmer setting, naturally making the lobby a little more calming.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidbP6LwtYD
"Can I help you?" one of the women behind the desk politely asked me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ7lAwnJsd
She was dark-skinned with her curly hair slicked into a low bun away from her bare face.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbJCJbmTPv
She wore the same white button-down and black dress pants as the other blonde woman seated beside her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWNiCj7ExN
"I had an appointment at eleven with Dr. Luccino. I'm a little late, so I can always reschedule if needed," I purposely offered, trying to soften my voice among the quiet air.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfLkfuDoxz
"No, it's okay," the woman immediately assured me, her voice soft and reassuring, "You'll still have the full hour since Dr. Luccino keeps thirty-minute openings between appointments for precaution."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXiwzK83ur
Of course, she does.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJULPUJvQ7
I forced a nod at her words, watching the woman briefly click around on her laptop.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfkgW8ZiNu
"River Romero?" she clarified, briefly glancing away from her computer screen.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIZONzJpgl
"Yes," I said with a brief nod.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvh0Vs9GH8
"It's nice to meet you," she said with a warm smile, standing from the shared front desk, "I really like your hair."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipAEIEjmMI
I smiled at her compliment, "Thank you, I like yours too," I complimented her back.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgDk6nI2UD
I love a girl's girl.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yzn5NCls0
"Thank you," she smiled as she rounded the desk, "I'll walk you back since Dr. Luccino went to go handle something while awaiting your arrival," she spoke to me, her voice soft and steady, "Also, I'm Sienna—and that's Reagan. We're always here if you need help with appointments or have questions," she said, motioning to her coworker.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVXnO8oABu
I nodded, suddenly realizing this was the same Sienna Dr. Luccino had been speaking to on the phone a couple of nights ago.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid9cifO25M
I glanced around as we walked past the reception area down a black hallway, stopping by one of the doors halfway down the hall.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8GDxCeZ8k
It was left open, unlike the rest of the frosted glass doors that blocked you from fully seeing inside.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk5VlW9XyD
"Here's her office," Sienna said, motioning her to the open doorway.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYpi3dlrm2
"Thank you," I said as I walked past her into the office, inhaling the deep Jasmine scent.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1AfcnHoHi
"She should be in any minute," Sienna said as she backed away from the doorway, leaving me alone in the large office I naturally began analyzing.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnzeeyA0kp
There was a sleek black couch with leather pillows placed precisely on it and two black tables on either side.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7SQqTQ8qE
Across from the couch was a cushioned leather chair with a small side table by it, facing away from the tinted black floor-to-ceiling windows behind it.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQIuVurWYy
Off to the further end of the office, there was a small step-up in the floor where a long black desk with a swivel chair sat.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeSqYQN5ab
The desk was clean, only a Macbook and a glass of black pens were on it.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWL0CCZDSd
Behind the desk, were tall black filing cabinets on either side—a place where I assumed a lot of client information was.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsur5HdDqZ
"River," I suddenly heard the soft familiar voice behind me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XrxpWhwXp
I immediately glanced over, noticing her presence by the door that she carefully shut behind her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB3pgaJU5m
She wore black dress pants with a white button-down and a black blazer over it, keeping the tie tucked under the blazer that clung to her waist.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NByGZxbnY
Her smooth brown hair wasn't down like the last time I saw her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7b0FWN8oa
Instead, it was in a high bun, leaving her curtain bangs to frame her sharp face covered in light makeup.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yXP3OfHjl
It felt like there wasn't a single inch of her that wasn't polished or carefully curated.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTRcy6EeBZ
She was so unlike most of the women I had seen, especially compared to the ones at my college.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdYJqivB4C
I pursed my lips, fighting my amusement when her brown eyes finally landed on me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQZ1peReTQ
I noticed her expression shift.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjwzF1NGjl
But it wasn't obvious.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjONzJ9XOcI
Her brows did subtly furrow-just barely.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPKUVVAfkG
"Wow, what a coincidence," I purposely said, my glossed lips parting dramatically as if I were actually in shock, "You were at that bar a couple of nights ago."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ693O4Yafge
Dr. Luccino remained silent for a moment, but her stare didn't falter—analyzing my face so openly.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG3W8JSwle
"And now I'm your therapist," Dr. Luccino calmly said, her voice just as smooth as I recalled it, "Everything that transpired before this is merely a past instance."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM7h93rUpf
I tilted my head at her words, and how professional she now behaved in front of me, especially the generous amount of space between us.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpF2pFnYmq
It was a complete contrast to what I previously witnessed.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmSyJzR42s
This is not going according to plan.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV2hdyKZyv
She's supposed to feel uncomfortable and drop me as a patient.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshJyMjyUuA
"I'm not sure that would be possible," I suddenly said, crossing my arms over my chest, which made Dr. Luccino's stare briefly divert down, acknowledging my change of stance, "Maybe I shouldn't be your client. It would be so awkward after what happened at that bar," I said, trying my best to sound like I was genuinely worried.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfnXNT5dD5
But the smile threatening to grow on my lips was making this shit so hard.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wGSFRg4j7
I don't know why this is amusing to me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdM2HHqozE
Dr. Luccino hummed, the soft sound vibrating in her throat, "We're now in a professional setting. My role as your therapist is separate from anything that happened previously," she briefly explained, making me internally roll my eyes.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLhBHYwa2t
Why can't she just offer the idea of dropping me as a client?
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDH9Wx4OlV
"I just..." I trailed off with a sigh more dramatic than I was aiming for. I'm so not good at acting, what the fuck, "I don't think I can view you as just my therapist anymore."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs27YHKVocY
Dr. Luccino rolled her lips into a pursed line, clearly analyzing this entire conversation between us.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGdGMedri0
Hopefully, she doesn't analyze too fucking harshly.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnZVntWbxZ
"Come on doc," I purposely said, flashing her my usual smirk, "You should just drop me as a patient— this clearly isn't going to work," I said, openly holding her brown eyes.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ckiV1N0O6
Dr. Luccino calmly clasped her hands together, "Is this purely about our previous altercation, River?" she asked me, making me internally sigh.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBL2k004Xs
I figured this would be easier.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCiiq6kn9J
Like I would walk in and she would immediately say no.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvNHvsAb9i
But it seems to be the fucking opposite.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KojhgTV5i
"Yes, definitely," I said, hoping she would just take that and leave it alone, but it didn't seem like she was, "I mean, I could get used to staring at you for an hour if that's what you want," I suddenly decided to flirt with her, hoping it would help her with her decision to drop me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KdBvOrApN
But Dr. Luccino didn't seem to react.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATbHUgvGG8
At least not visibly.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiLb7eO8Dx
She somehow remained neutral, her brown eyes narrowing the tiniest bit.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dte6KDzfP
But enough for me to recognize that she was calculating her next words.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6WLYodIWw
"Okay," Dr. Luccino suddenly said, naturally making my tense shoulders relax now that I had gotten my way, "I can refer you to my associate, Celia Kincaid. She's down the hall."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LOOS1GgaD
My eyes suddenly widened at her words, "No-no I don't need a reference," I quickly said, knowing that would mean I did all of this for nothing.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0rYGnGrSU
If Dr. Luccino drops me as a patient without a reference then my mother would have to find me another, which she'll probably never get around to again.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrncIoAjDuT
But if she refers me...
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1cqJZmvKd
Then I'll still be stuck in fucking therapy.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3AgUFxka8
"I can't let you leave here without a suitable reference, River," Dr. Luccino calmly said, naturally earning a deep sigh from me.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRkRnRWnoA
"But I literally don't need one. I can find my own," I said, trying my best not to get irritated.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDrKULxRwB
This all just feels like it was for nothing, especially if I end up down the hall with another therapist.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyq6YpFw9A
"I'm not referring you to inconvenience you," Dr. Luccino said, clearly picking up on my irritation.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTB3kPQ1Tw
Maybe it's the way I'm looking at her right now because this is genuinely all so fucked, "I have a responsibility to ensure you're taken care of."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF0jFY6NqJ
I rolled my eyes, "You really don't—you just fucking met me," I mumbled, purposely using a cuss word just to irritate her.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kgJJctbu6
Only because I'm irritated and she's just...
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBqHr2fqmi
Calm.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjoVzT9cfZ
I get she's a professional but it's annoying.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMR7zNRhZp
Dr. Luccino nodded stiffly, clearly affected by the cuss word I used, "Sit down," she calmly instructed, motioning her head to the couch, "Or we can walk down the hall to Dr. Kincaid."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfPIZjZ2mA
Is she really talking to me like a child?
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvGnIeAHHT
My jaw tightened, "Or I can leave. I have free will," I pointed out, shaking my head at this entire situation.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEREa3eQD3Z
It took a quicker turn than I expected.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGNLoucoCy
"Something tells me that if you could leave, you would've already," Dr. Luccino stated, her brown eyes never wavering from mine, "But by all means, you're free to leave, River."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK3GRX7aLB
I scoffed, glancing away from her when my face burned up, "This is so fucking stupid," I mumbled, staring past her at the city just beyond the tinted glass walls.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrRF48g7gO
"Yet, you're still standing here," Dr. Luccino calmly pointed out, making my irritation triple, "Which means this isn't about a past altercation between us— or even a referral itself."
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JydznAVXk
I remained silent, hating that she read this all so easily.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK3PZIhUmv
"So we can discuss this together, or I can refer you. The choice is yours," Dr. Luccino told me, still only offering the two options I didn't want.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg5UaOWYYd
But I couldn't walk out of here, or my mother would probably make good on her promise to cut me off.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAECZVRvafh
And I don't want to go to a new therapist—if anything I want to stay here and make her job as hard as fucking possible.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORkiBwV25j
It's only fair given she can't drop me as a client and let me leave.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4NxvjL9DD
I suddenly turned away from her, silently walking over to the leather couch and reluctantly sitting down.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwRmq3C1zy
Fuck my life.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnGPYcnrw0
I crossed my arms back over my chest as I watched Dr. Luccino sit down in the chair adjacent to me, smoothly crossing her leg over the other.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76k5FM1Vxj
"Now," Dr. Luccino went to speak, rolling her shoulders back slightly as she got comfortable in her chair, "Do you want to tell me why you're starting therapy, River?"
ns216.73.216.224da2
然後按「加至主畫面」