Slow No Wake - By Dakota Madison Page 0,19

go to sleep.

***

The next day, the twins caught me in the hallway on my way to the office.

“You look like crap,” Trinity said.

“Thanks,” I said. “I always like to start my day with a vote of confidence like that.”

“Sorry,” she said. “No offence, but did you get any sleep?”

I shook my head and starting walking. The twins followed. “I live in a duplex,” I explained. “My next door neighbor is a womanizing asshole and it sounded like he was having an orgy all night. Let’s just say the walls between our apartments are very thin.”

“That’s disgusting,” Serenity added.

“Extremely,” I agreed.

Trinity looked up and down the hall to make sure no one else was within earshot. “We wanted to talk to you about Brad,” she said.

“We need your help,” Serenity added.

I unlocked my office and the three of us entered. “What’s going on?”

The twins glanced at each other and then Trinity spoke. “We think if we can get him laid he’ll be nicer.”

I nearly choked. “And how do you propose to do that?”

“We want you to help us fix him up,” Serenity said.

“The obvious question is whether we need to fix him up with a man or a woman,” I said.

“That’s where you come in,” Serenity said. “We think we can find someone either way, but we just need to know which way to go.”

“So you’ve never gotten any clues to his orientation or preferences?” I asked. I couldn’t believe the direction this conversation was taking.

The twins simultaneously shook their heads.

“I’m not sure how comfortable I am with the whole idea,” I admitted. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to pry into people’s love lives.”

“We thought you might say that,” Serenity was obviously disappointed.

“Just think about it,” Trinity said. “You haven’t been the focus of Brad’s wrath yet but when you are, I think you’ll reconsider your position.”

And with that, the twins left my office. It was completely possible that the clinical staff I worked with were in just as much need of therapy as our clients.

A few minutes after I sat down and began checking my emails, Ricky poked his head in my door. “Mind if I come in?” he asked.

“Sure,” I replied.

He entered carrying a stack of files. “Ready for some cases?” When I nodded, he placed the files on the edge of my desk.

I sensed some tension in the air. When our eyes met, Ricky’s gaze was serious. “I hope I didn’t come on too strongly yesterday,” he said. “Danny is a good friend. I guess I’m a little protective of him.”

“I can appreciate that,” I said.

“He’s gotten hurt. I mean really hurt, in a past relationship, so it’s not easy for him to put himself out there.”

“I have too,” I admitted. Then I looked him straight in the eye and said, “I caught my ex-fiancé having sex with my sister.”

Ricky went wide-eyed. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. Just know that it’s not easy for me, either.”

He nodded. “Well, I’d better get back to work.”

“Thanks for the files.”

When Ricky left, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was getting myself into with Daniel. Could two people, who’ve had their hearts crushed, ever have a healthy relationship? I wondered if my attraction to Eddie was some kind of self-sabotage. Maybe deep down, I didn’t feel like I was worthy of, or even deserved to have someone love me. I obviously couldn’t keep my ex-fiancé interested. Maybe there was something truly wrong with me and I would never be able to hold on to a man.

FIVE

Eye of the Wind

Daniel came to get me for lunch early; it was only 11:30. I sensed he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss me or that maybe I’d go without him. At least now I had a better understanding of where his lack of confidence came from. It was the same place where my insecurities lie, in the remnants of our broken hearts.

I was glad when he suggested we get boxed lunches and sit outside by the pond. It was quickly becoming one of my favorite places.

Today, we had ham and cheese on rye bread with potato chips and a pickle. I ate my pickle first; I always did.

Daniel grinned. “Do you want my pickle?”

I stifled a chuckle. “Are you propositioning me?”

“You seem to really like pickles.”

“I do.”

He handed me his pickle. “Thanks,” I said.

Daniel’s expression became more serious. “I wanted to apologize for yesterday.”

“Let’s just forget it.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m the