Guilty Stars

4

What he said was true. He could request a new therapist be assigned. Dating someone I’d had a single session with could hardly be called inappropriate, could it? Would anyone even find out? My stomach swirled with a toxic combination of excitement and nerves, my voice stripped to a shadow of its usual strength. “Please don’t make me regret this.” OceanofPDF.com 2 MICHAEL I was late getting on the road to my mom’s place the next morning after spending half the night thinking about the surprising turn my day had taken. Instead of cursing the New York judicial system, I was considering sending them flowers. Evie was one of seventy-two kids in my graduating class. The only person I ever befriended at school was Sofia, so I hardly gave any thought to my classmates after my senior year. I never could relate to the trust fund kids who spent their weekends in the Hamptons and agonized over their gluten-free diets. My mom thought the school would ensure I saw a path away from the Bratva as an option, but my time there only highlighted that I didn’t belong. Despite the disassociation I felt from my classmates, I was surprised I didn’t recognize Evie sooner. Her auburn hair should have been a dead giveaway—few people possessed her dynamic red undertones without the help of a high-dollar salon. Her ivory skin was flawless and perfectly accented her hazel eyes. Had I been a touch more perceptive in my teens, I might have noticed the fiery specks of gold glinting in those eyes or the reckless sense of abandon that lurked beneath. I suspected Evie had been just as out of place at that school as I had been; she just hid it better. When I left her office, I hadn’t planned to stick around but found myself staring at the building, unable to drive away. It was one of the best nondecisions I’d ever made. The difference in my outlook after one simple evening with her was astounding. I’d gone from Charlie Brown—unable to catch a f*****g break—to Charlie Bucket with his winning golden ticket. If I hadn’t known better, I would have said she’d drugged me. I hadn’t felt so high on life in years. “Misha, baby. It’s so good to see you!” Ma wrapped me in a warm hug the second I walked inside. She hated my career choice but would never let that get in the way of her love for me. I appreciated that more than she’d ever know. “Hey, Ma. Good to see you, too.” “How’s your leg? You been going to rehab like the doctor ordered?” She led us to the kitchen, where she had cabbage rolls simmering in a covered pot. “Yeah, the leg is healing up great.” “Good. The food’s ready. Let’s eat before it gets cold.” Once I’d stuffed myself full of the delicious goodness I could only find in her kitchen, I helped her with the dishes as she caught me up on all the latest family news. When we were done, I dug through my old room, still littered with some of my things, and uncovered my old yearbooks. I was suddenly incredibly grateful Ma had insisted on purchasing them. I remembered Evie vaguely, but I wanted to see what else I could learn about her. My life had been consumed with Sofia during those years. I wasn’t as tuned in to my surroundings as I would have been otherwise, and the books were the best way to look back at what I’d missed. I scoured through the pictures, gleaning every bit of information I could about the sexy counselor. She had been highly involved in school activities, which meant I found plenty of great photos and snippets about her. When I came across a picture of Evie in a tiny cheerleading uniform, I got out my phone. Me: I didn’t recall you being a cheerleader. She must have been near her phone because her reply was instant. Evie: Who ratted me out? Me: Yearbook. Evie: Oh, God. Please don’t look at that. Me: Why not? Words do not do justice to you in a short skirt. I feel like an i***t for not worshiping you back in school. The conversation dots appeared, then disappeared, but no message arrived. I started to worry I’d been too forward when her reply popped up on the screen. Evie: You used to eat lunch under one of the oak trees on pretty days. You wore Chucks to gym even though Coach Patterson threw a fit, and you were the one who rescued the freshmen jocks from their lockers on senior prank day.

I might have been oblivious, but Evie was telling me she’d been very aware. How could I have been such a dumbass? I didn’t regret the years I’d spent concentrated on Sofia—she’d needed me at the time—but I did feel an odd sense of remorse for what had been right under my nose. I could only hope that fate had a plan. This was our moment, and I wasn’t going to squander it. Me: When can I see you again? Evie: I suppose at your next session. Me: What if I want to see you before that? Evie: Not until you are assigned a new therapist. I’m sorry. I knew exactly what I’d be doing come Monday morning. I’d pay whatever it took to get a change of counselor expedited. Me: Wednesday never sounded so good. Take care, Evie. Evie: You too.

“Mr. Savin, please come in. How was your week?” Evie greeted me in her most professional tone, which only conjured thoughts that were the epitome of unprofessional. Instead of sitting as she expected, I slowly stalked toward her. She wore a rose-colored pencil skirt cut snug against her thighs and a floral sleeveless blouse that tugged seductively at her curves when she moved. Her hair was pulled up again, and I wondered just how long it was. Would the auburn waves cover her pert n*****s when she was naked? Did she sleep with her hair in a braid or allow it to flow freely over her pillow? I found myself wanting to know everything about her and fantasized about her touch. Sensing a shift in my demeanor, Evie stilled beside her desk. “Is everything okay?” I pulled out a folded piece of paper from my pocket and handed it over. Her fingers shook with the slightest tremble. The knowledge that I affected her only intensified my craving for her, making me wild with need. I’d done nothing but think about her for days, and now I was starving for more. “It’s the order for my new shrink,” I rasped, eyes glued to her bowshaped lips.