The Love Dilemma (Unexpected Connections Book 1) by Eden Larsen

Author:Eden Larsen [Larsen, Eden]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Dream Write Literary Publishing
Published: 2023-12-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

❀┈┈┈❀┈┈┈❀┈┈┈❀

Riley was relieved to hear that Dean’s meeting with the licensing board had gone as well as it had. It was now one less thing to worry about as they moved forward in their relationship. The day after Dean’s case was dismissed, Riley made an appointment with his therapist.

“When is your appointment?” Dean asked when she told him as they sat next to each other on a couch in his apartment.

“I’d rather not say,” she said, wanting the time she spent with another doctor to be private. She was nervous about how it would all go down.

“Come here,” Dean said, pulling her close. He kissed the top of her head that was resting on his chest while his arms held her tightly. “No matter what happens, I’ll be here. Everything will work out.”

***

Walking into the second therapist's office in less than six months made Riley’s chest tighten and her palms sweaty. This building was not as uniquely shaped as Dean’s office. She missed the corridors leading up to the reception area. Instead, it was a regular square building with little character. It felt sterile inside.

After checking in and signing all the paperwork, she sat as close to the door as possible. There were three other people in the waiting room, which was another difference she noted. Thinking back to that day, she wondered if the empty waiting room was a reflection of the doctors who worked there.

Rummaging through her purse, she pushed aside the various objects that had found their way into the black void. At the bottom of the bag was her phone. She reached for it, just as the door to the offices opened. She heard a man laugh, and her head flew up to see if it matched who she thought it was.

“I’ll see you in a week,” Dean said, turning toward the reception desk. After he scheduled his next appointment, he turned around, locking eyes with Riley.

“Fancy seeing you here,” she said, smiling.

“I guess it was bound to happen,” he said, sitting next to her and putting his arm around her. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” she said, taking his hand. “Better now that you’re here.”

“That’s interesting,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Last week when I asked you when your appointment was, you wouldn’t tell me.”

Riley rolled her eyes. “I know. It was stupid.”

“No, I get it. I didn’t tell you when mine was, so why would you tell me?” he explained. “Besides, I know everything is going to be fine.”

“How can you be so certain?” she said, squeezing his hand for support. Her hands were still sweaty, and she both wanted to let go and remain close to him at the same time.

“Because of my initial assessment of you,” he noted. “It doesn’t matter what happens today. Be nervous. Be yourself. Be honest.”

“Any other ‘be’ statements?”

“No, that’s all I could think of,” he said, smiling.

They sat for a few minutes in silence waiting for her name to be called. When it was, he wished her well, and they parted ways.

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