At Last by Alice Bello

Author:Alice Bello
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, romantic comedy, brides, rebound, new adult

~*~

It was Dr. Garvin’s turn to wince. She knew “Oh God” usually signaled an imminent bout of tears or hyperventilation. She went on anyway, determined she would set them both free, and today. She couldn’t hear another boring installment of “spinster architect in Chicago.” At any moment Susan would be telling her about her new cat.

“Think of this as a big, very positive step. A good sign,” Dr. Garvin started. Susan looked up at her with a surprised expression on her face. “This means you’re practically cured.”

“It does?”

Dr. Garvin smiled, pausing to rummage through her mind for a plausible yet convenient explanation. All she was coming up with were old moth eaten socks and bad spinster-cat jokes. She nodded and flipped the single page of Susan Rhodes’s file over, and then over again.

The answer wasn’t there. She was desperate to cut Susan loose. After all, she’d nicknamed her Susan Snoring.

Think .

She’s smart and driven, and she thinks almost exclusively of work.

Well, there you have it.

“Consider this a graduation of sorts.”

Susan frowned at Dr. Garvin.

“A promotion!”

This made Susan smile.

“You’ve been coming here...” Don’t mention the six months again. That just about had her in tears earlier. “And you’ve worked very hard. In fact, I’ve never seen a patient work so hard to overcome her problems.”

Susan’s smile turned embarrassed and she blushed, but Dr. Garvin could tell she was heading down the right path with this.

Cut her loose already!

“You’ve excelled, and now I feel you no longer need therapy--of any kind...at all.”

Susan looked at her, clearly flattered by Dr. Garvin’s words, but still clutching onto that fear of abandonment. She needed something else, something that would appeal to Susan’s practical side, and her wild side--if Susan Rhodes had a wild side.

“And just think, with all the money you’ll be saving not coming here twice a week, you could go on a cruise.”

Susan looked down and shook her head. “I could’ve bought a house for what I’ve paid you.”

“See? Just think of all the things you can do once you’re not paying for my services anymore.”

Susan sighed, still shaking her head. “A really nice house.”

That stung, and Dr. Garvin felt like she should be defending herself, that her fees were reasonable, and her services were well worth the price. But she remembered her goal for the session--getting rid of Susan Rhodes. So she smiled, nodding her head in affirmation.

“With a pool, a two car garage...and a panic room.”

Okay! That was enough . “Believe me. You’re ready for this next step.”

Dr. Garvin stood and helped Susan out of her seat. Susan was still holding tight to her leather portfolio case, and she still looked rather pale, but she had stopped rambling on about the house she could have bought.

“Just take one step at a time. First into the calm, peaceful world you’ve created for yourself.” And right out the door. “Second, enjoy your new freedom. Not coming here is going to free up a lot of your time. Just think of what you can do with that!” And never come back! Live out your boring days far, far away.

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