She kept at it. “I’m not saying you should go faster than you’re ready. I’m just saying your mind can shut down to that part of life and it’s important not to shut it off, twist it so you’re convinced it’s wrong or dirty. It’s important to remember it’s right, it’s natural and it can be very, very good.”
I blinked and my gaze slid away. Then I sighed and set aside the bullshit.
“Okay,” I whispered.
Bex wasn’t quite done.
“If you’ve got worries, talk to him. I think Hector’s the kind of guy who’ll listen and wait until the time is right for you. But keep him in the loop and let him know where your head is at.”
There was no way I was going to keep Hector in that loop (or any loop, for that matter).
I didn’t tell Bex that.
Instead, I said again, “Okay.”
“You need to talk to me, you know where to find me,” she finished.
I nodded then looked at her and in an effort to change the subject, I informed her, “We’re going to watch YoYo for you.”
She gave me a gentle smile that I understood with a gratitude so strong I felt like hugging her (however, I did not) meant she was finally letting me off the hook.
“I know,” she said.
Luckily the door opened, the nurse walked in and the latest trauma in a life full of traumas was thankfully over.
And I’d survived, yet again.
* * * * *
After I signed the paperwork, Bex went back to the rape crisis center and Hector took me to Art.
During the ride I didn’t speak. Hector didn’t either. I found this uncomfortable. Hector acted like this was perfectly normal. This made me want to throw my squeezy ball at him.
Of course, I did not.
Hector parallel parked in a very unusual prime spot a door down from Art.
Before he had the Bronco’s ignition shut down, my door was open, I was out, around the front of the Bronco and hoofing it on my Manolos down the sidewalk toward the gallery.
I was feet away from the door when an arm tagged me around my shoulders, I came to a rocking halt and he turned me into him.
My body went rigid and I lifted my chin to grant him with a patented Chill Factor Sub-Zero glare.
“I have to get to work,” I informed him.
“You’re welcome,” he said in return, looking down at me unaffected by Chill Factor Sub-Zero, his fantastic mouth fighting a grin.
Seriously a squeezy ball throwing moment if there ever was one, however, I was not at a distance which would allow for it and further, an action such as that would not befit The Ice Princess.
“For what?” I asked instead of throwing my squeezy ball at him.
“For the ride,” he replied.
Chill Factor Sub-Zero descended sharply to Chill Factor Dry Ice. “I suppose I shouldn’t have to remind you that I didn’t ask for a ride.”
He lost the fight and grinned casually in the face of Chill Factor Dry Ice.
“True enough,” he said calmly.