miss it. In the past few months, I’d gone on a few dates, mostly with guys I met online, but nothing panned out. Neither made me feel even 10 percent of what Brayden was doing to me. I couldn’t even understand it, but I honestly wasn’t even going to try. He and I lived in different worlds, I was very well aware. These flirty messages weren’t going to lead anywhere, but I sure as hell planned to enjoy them while I could. I’d never had a strong relationship, at least not the kind Mom and Dad had, or Josie and Hunter. I’d dated plenty in Philly, but I’d never found the one. Not that I was worried. It would happen when the time was right.
Brayden: I think I deserve some insider info.
I wrote and deleted two replies before hitting Send.
Isabelle: I don’t think so. If anything, Lars deserves it.
Brayden: How do you figure?
I was laughing now, so lost in our conversation that I forgot to even bite into my sandwich.
Isabelle: Just seems fair. Besides, I like to tease you.
Brayden: I’m starting to get that.
Isabelle: My break is finishing. I’ll keep in touch. But no insider info for you.
Brayden: We’ll see.
Laughing, I put my phone to one side or I’d never finish the sandwich before the next client arrived.
***
In the evening, I read Sasha’s email on the way home and replied that I’d be taking the assignment. I lived in the Parkchester neighborhood in the Bronx. My apartment was in a lovely redbrick building with an old-world charm.
I made myself a quick frozen pizza for dinner, because even foodies had to cut corners after a long day of work. To my astonishment, Sasha messaged me back quickly.
Sasha: Perfect. I’ll email you the contract and you can sign electronically. I’d like to start ASAP. One of the guys volunteered to drop by your office in the evening so you can start with the psychological profiles. When’s a good time for you?
Wow, she moved fast.
Isabelle: I can do it tomorrow evening.
Sasha: Perfect.
Isabelle: Who’s the volunteer?
I was pretty certain I knew the answer, but I wanted her confirmation. My breath caught anyway when she replied.
Sasha: Brayden.
***
The next evening, I was slightly nervous as I wrapped up the consultation with my last client. I’d sort of expected Brayden to message me today, perhaps to tease me about something, but he’d been completely silent, which was putting me even more on edge.
Sasha had asked if she could contact the building’s reception to make sure Brayden could come up with no issue, and I gave her the green light.
I walked my last client out of the consultation room and into the waiting area and was stunned when I noticed a man there. He had his back to us, inspecting the photo of the Brooklyn Bridge. He also had a baseball cap on; was that so no one would recognize him? When did he get in?
“Anna, I’ll see you next time. Kiss Lindsay for me,” I said. Anna was more family than client. Her brother was married to Skye Winchester. She was recovering from a messy divorce, and I was happy she’d reached out to me. I adored her daughter, Lindsay, and was eager to help them both in any way I could.
“I will. Thanks, Isabelle. You always make me feel at ease. You’re a good friend.”
I opened the door, and Brayden remained with his back to me as Anna stepped out, closing the door behind her. Then he turned around, taking off his cap and training his gaze on me.
Oh, my.
“Hey, how did you get in?” I asked.
“Sasha contacted reception, and they gave me the code for your door.”
“No one recognized you?”
“No, they brought me in through a back entrance.”
“And in the elevator?”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “I took the stairs.”
“Wow. That’s seven floors.”
“I know, trust me. My bodyguard is also here, outside the door.”
It was surreal having him here. He was larger than life somehow, fitting in perfectly on stage or at the bowling alley.
“What kind of therapy do you specialize in?” he asked, glancing around.
“I wouldn’t say I specialize in something in particular. But most clients do seem to come to me due to relationship problems, be it with family, or friends, or dating.” He looked at me questioningly, so I continued, “My degree is in counseling.”
“And you give them advice?”
“I help them find the answers. Deep down, they almost always know it, but sometimes we resist following our intuition.”
He curled his lips upward.