Shameless (The Therapist #2), стр. 51
Liam nods his approval while swallowing down some steak smothered in A1 sauce. “Wow. That's incredible. I’m sure you're excited.”
“For sure. I sort of stole a page out of your book on that one.”
“Sounds like it,” Liam says behind a smile. “I’m impressed, Ms. Milton. Staking your own claim. That’s great.”
“Thank you.”
“I love how strong-minded you are,” Liam says. The man has no sense of embarrassment when it comes to dishing out compliments. “You're focused, and you speak your mind. You don't see that enough from people, especially women, unfortunately. Personally, I think women should speak their minds more often, although I know society frowns on that kind of thing.”
“Fuck society,” I reply, stealing a line from Dr. Colson. Liam smiles like I just gave him a gift he’s been wanting his entire life. “I don't mean to be so blunt… Well, yes I do. After everything I’ve gone through recently, including my breakup, I’ve found a ton of comfort in speaking my mind and doing things I want to do. There’s no room for caring about other people’s opinions to the point that it affects what I do.”
“I hear that.”
“So, when I tell you that I find you incredibly attractive, and that I keep wondering what that tattoo on your chest looks like without your shirt on, I mean it. I’m saying it because that’s what I want to say.”
Liam twists his mouth into a confused smirk.
“I don't mean to be too forward and come on too strong,” I go on. “It’s just the zone I’m in these days. Blame my therapist, but I’m just being honest. You're gorgeous, Liam, and I love how you keep putting a smile on my face. After dinner, I was hoping you could show me that tattoo while we lay in my bedroom.”
I let the words linger in the air for a while, hoping I didn't just ruin a perfectly good date by being over-the-top. Liam, on the other hand, looks completely calm. He even grins before speaking again.
“Interesting,” he says, nodding his head. “While I can totally appreciate that type of brutal honesty, I have to be honest myself. The truth is, Tessa, I think I might actually like you. Like, for real. After we met, I’m pretty sure I thought about you every single day until I saw you at the bar the second time. There's something about you I find very comforting and easy to talk to, and I appreciate that. So, when I asked for your number, it wasn't so I could try to get you in the sack for a one night stand. I wanted your number because I wanted to see where this could go in the long run. So, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to take my time getting to know you. I mean, don't get me wrong, I’m not anti sex or anything like that. In fact, the thought of sex with you is doing something serious in my pants as we speak, but it’s not all about that with me. I’m just interested in you for real. I’m not in any rush for anything specific. When we get to that point, and we will get to that point, I know it’ll be incredible. It’ll be earth-shattering. But I'd like to walk there, not run. Is that cool?”
Out of all the things I expected Liam to say, I never thought he'd say that. Any other guy would be trying to pay the check right now so we could go get started. Either that, or they'd call me a whore and try to use and abuse me. Not Liam, though. He actually wants to take his time getting to know me.
I may not have known what I wanted or liked until Brandon dumped me and I went and found my own voice. Everything may have had question marks before, but there's one thing I know for sure now—there isn't a person in the world who wouldn't like everything Liam just said. I don’t have to sow any wild oats to know that I definitely want that.
I smile an uncontrollably large smile and nod my head. “Yeah, that’s definitely cool.”
Maintenance
Chapter Thirty-Three
~ Malcolm ~
Today is a great day. To me, there's no better feeling in the world than knowing a patient feels strong enough to move on in their life without you. It’s monumental because it’s a decision that isn't made by me. This comes directly from the patient, who decides in their own mind that they're ready to continue their lives, using the information we’ve gone over in our time together, and they feel bold and courageous. It’s a proud parent kind of moment.
Tessa sits in front of me wearing all-black sweats, but nice ones. It’s attire she wouldn't have worn before, because she felt she always had to be at the top of her game when she was with Brandon. He and Judy made Tessa feel like she always had to look her absolute best in order to be taken seriously in this world, which translated to being taken seriously by men. Now, however, Tessa has realized that she's allowed to be as comfortable as she wants to be. She can dress down or up, and as long as she feels beautiful, she is beautiful.
“So,” I say to begin our session. “You've decided today will be the last time we see each other. I love that you feel confident enough to move on from your therapy, but I’m curious what made you decide you’d like to be finished.”
Tessa sweeps her hair off her shoulder, and even that movement seems more confident. I swear, Tessa is a completely different person than who I met with her ex, at a time that feels like it was