Say You're Mine - Layla Hagen Page 0,59
woman I was crazy for had somehow seen right through me. I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to have her in my life.
“Hey, Mr. Clarke, I like that smile.” She pointed at my mouth. “And I want to hear all about it later. But right now, I need you to focus.”
She was only going to hear about it in New York. Because I’d decided I would do anything in my power to keep Isabelle in my life. I just needed a good plan.
One she couldn’t say no to.
Chapter Eighteen
Isabelle
We returned to New York on Monday morning. Brayden dropped me off at my office, because I insisted a lot. Sasha had also monitored the place and said there didn’t seem to be reporters around anymore. Even though I’d told all my clients we’d have online sessions today, I still wanted to check out the area. There were no reporters in front of my building.
“See? Sasha was right. I’m yesterday’s news,” I said.
Brayden was still glowering, looking around outside.
“Oh, why are you so grumpy?” I gave him a quick peck on the lips, cupping his jaw. I made eye contact with him until he smiled. Mission accomplished.
After getting out of the car, I headed straight inside the building. I met a few neighbors in the elevator and greeted them a little too enthusiastically. What can I say? After a weekend like the one I had, I was on cloud nine.
Once inside my office, I made myself a coffee. As I sipped from it, my phone buzzed with a message from Josie.
Josie: You’ve been silent all weekend. I can’t take the suspense any longer. HOW WAS IT?
Laughing, I put down my coffee cup and typed with both hands.
Isabelle: How about I tell you in person?
Josie: Awesome!
Josie: No, wait. I still want some details NOW.
Isabelle: What’s with the caps lock?
Josie: Sophie hasn’t slept well this last week... so neither have I.
Aww, my poor sister. I was going to drop by her house tonight with her favorite takeout food. I was certain Hunter was pampering her a lot, but sister time never hurt.
Isabelle: My first session starts in five minutes. I’ll text you during the next break.
Josie: You’re mean :-(
Isabelle: I love you.
I logged on my computer for the first session, happy I could do it from the comfy chair at my desk. The client I was talking to was going through a rough divorce, and my heart was breaking for her.
“Lilly, is the journaling helping you at all?”
“When I do it, yes. But some mornings, I forget to.”
“Why don’t you put it on your nightstand so it’s the first thing you see every morning?”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”
“Try to fill out every section. When you get to the one where it asks what things bring you joy, try not to just jot things down, but imagine yourself already doing them. It will put you in a good mood.”
“Okay. I hope I don’t forget.”
The concern etched on her face prompted me to ask, “Would you like me to send you a message each morning, reminding you?”
“Oh, you can do that? I hate to ask that of you, but maybe for a few days until it becomes second nature. Thank you!”
“No problem. It’s on my calendar.”
“I’m so happy I found you, Isabelle. You help me focus on myself, you know? Most of the time, I worry about how this impacts the kids, and I don’t pay attention to my feelings. I bottle everything up, and whenever I see my ex, I explode in a rant.”
“All this is normal, Lilly. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s painful, and you’re doing the best you can. Give yourself time. Be kind to yourself.”
By the end of the session, Lilly was in a slightly more optimistic mindset. I knew she still had a long way to go until she would feel happy more often than desperately sad. Each client was different. Some didn’t need my help after only a few sessions, though many continued their therapy for years. I had three online sessions a week with clients I’d started seeing years ago in Philadelphia. Nothing gave me more satisfaction than when one of them said they didn’t need any more sessions. It meant I’d done my job and they were in a happier place now than when they’d sought me out.
Glancing at the clock, I realized Lilly and I had gone over time and my next session was about to begin. I quickly glanced out the