His smile brightened when he opened it up. “Ah, an Asiago cheese bagel. You know me so well.”
“I should hope so,” I said with a laugh. “I’ve been talking to you for almost two years. I consider you more a friend than my therapist now.”
“If I was your friend, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have forgotten to tell me about your new boyfriend. What’s going on with you and the football player?”
Sighing, I leaned back in the chair. “I had no clue they were going to put that picture in the paper.”
Philip took a bite of his bagel and shrugged. “Well, you look happy in it. I have to give you that. I’m assuming everyone will know who you are once the story circulates.”
“Including Austin’s family,” I added sadly.
He sat back with furrowed brows. “Do you think they’ll get angry with you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I hope not. This is all so new to me.”
“Are you two serious?”
“Not in the way you’re thinking. We haven’t even gone on a date yet. I do like him, though. He’s the first man I’ve felt anything for in a long time.”
“I see. And does he feel the same way about you?”
Looking out the window, I could see the football stadium. “Yes. It scares me because I don’t know the first thing about being with someone. Austin is all I’ve ever known.”
“Just take your time,” he suggested. “I know guys like that are used to getting what they want. I’d hate to see you pressured into doing something you don’t want to do.”
“He’s not like that, I assure you. Evan’s different. I’ve known him for a long time now.”
Philip got up and sat down beside me, studying me. “Good. Although, I have to say, you seem different today. This past week has changed you. Do we owe that to your newfound love?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Not exactly. Maybe half of it, but it’s also that the tavern is going to be featured in Southern Trends. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am. For the first time in my life, everything feels right.”
Turning toward me, he grabbed my hand and covered it with his other one. “That’s amazing, Summer. I’m so proud of you and how far you’ve come. From what I’m hearing, it sounds like you might be ready to be on your own. Don’t you think?”
Nodding, I agreed. “I believe so. It’ll hurt to stop coming to you because it feels like we’ve grown close. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Summer. I’m still going to come to the restaurant, and instead of analyzing you as a doctor, I’ll talk to you as a friend. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” He helped me to my feet. “Although I think I’m going to miss you. Your smile always brightened up this stuffy office.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I’ll miss you, too. If something happens and I need to call…”
He held me tight around the waist. “Then you call me, okay? I’m always here for you if you need me.”
“Thanks, Philip. That means a lot to me.”
Letting me go, he stepped back and leaned against his desk. “So is there anything else you want to talk about before you go? It is your last session.”
Smiling, I shook my head. “I actually think I’m good. Maybe now when you come to the restaurant I can ask you questions instead of our conversations being all about me.”
“I look forward to that,” he murmured.
“Take care, Philip.” Opening the door, I breathed a sigh of relief and looked back at him one more time before walking out of his office and out of the building. It felt good to be on my own.
—
By the time I got to the restaurant, Lara was champing at the bit. She greeted me by the door and pulled me into the office. “Why haven’t you answered any of my texts?”
“Uh, maybe because I’ve been busy. What’s going on?”
“You and Evan are what’s going on. I saw the picture of you two. You both look so freaking adorable. They’re all calling you his girlfriend. They even mentioned the restaurant. How cool is that?”
“Has Grayson seen it? Have you talked to him?”
Her smile faded. “He’s not here yet. Do you think he’ll have something to say about it?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I keep wondering what Austin’s family is going to say. I don’t want them to think I’m going to forget him.”
Lara put her hands on my shoulders and squeezed. “No one’s going to think that, Summer. We all know you love and miss Austin. You’re twenty-eight years old. Surely they wouldn’t expect you to be alone for the rest of your life. And if they do, they can suck a big fat cock and get over it.”
We both burst out laughing and I hugged her. “Oh, sis, what would I do without you?”
“Go insane. I’m glad I can make you laugh.”
“You do more than that, and I love you so much for it.”
She squeezed me hard. “And I love you.”
Chapter 14
Summer