Page 70 of Sweeter Than Fiction

I think for a few seconds. “That he will have the same type of reaction. And that he will run away and this whole thing will be over. Things like this—guys like Don—don’t come around often for me.”

“Have you considered that letting your guard down may not be such a bad thing?”

“What if I do that, and this whole thing ends horribly?”

“What if it doesn’t?” She asks.

“Huh?”

“What if Don is your happy ending?”

“I…uh…don’t know.”

She leans forward and hits the button to stop her tape recorder.

“Are we done already?” I ask. “That was a quick hour.”

“I’m going to divulge something personal.”

“Oh, okay.” I try to patiently wait for her to continue.

She takes off her glasses to clean them as she begins to speak. “When I was in college, something awful happened to me. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say that it’s something you don’t come out of unscathed. I didn’t date anyone else until my husband came along. He was kind and patient. I was convinced at any moment he was going to get tired of it all and walk out the door. But he never did. He stayed. If I hadn’t learned how to let down my walls again, I would have missed out on the best thing that ever happened to me.”

When I don’t say anything right away, she goes on, “Sometimes, the right person just comes along. Them walking into your life will defy all odds, and you will constantly think that it’s too good to be true. But one day, you’ll realize that they are exactly where they are supposed to be…and so are you.”

“How did you let your guard down enough to get to that point?” I ask, hopeful that she can give me some type of clarity.

She thinks for a moment. “It was hard, and it took some time. But eventually, I realized that I didn’t do anything wrong. When that awful thing happened to me, it didn’t make me any less worthy of love. And Abby, just because you see yourself a certain way doesn’t mean that you are any less worthy of it either. As much as it contradicts my scientific teachings, I like to believe that there is someone out there for all of us. I found mine. Maybe this guy is yours. When you read a romance book, do you think oh this character doesn’t deserve the perfect book boyfriend? No. You just think that maybe they finally met the one. Maybe this is your chance.”

Without another word on herself, she leans forward and turns the tape recorder back on. “One thing I want you to work on before our next session is trying to break out of your comfort zone a little bit. Do something that maybe you were scared to before—whether that’s going on a date to a crowded place or going on a quick little weekend trip somewhere…or even pushing your boundaries in the bedroom.”

I know I should listen to her. Dr. Green has yet to be wrong. When I first started seeing her, I was still skeptical of the whole therapy thing. Part of me thought the whole thing was a huge crock of shit. But the more I saw her, the more I realized maybe she does know what she’s talking about.

When I started listening to her, I was able to make changes that pulled me out of my depression. And despite how it may look, I’m not nearly as much of a mess as I used to be.

I guess it’s time to step out of my comfort zone a little bit.

As difficult as it may be.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Jenson greets me with a kiss on the cheek. “I have to say I’m a little surprised that you are calling me for coffee in the middle of the day. Usually, you are too caught up in work.”

“I took the afternoon off because I had therapy today.”

“Oh, right.” He nods but leaves the subject alone. Going to therapy himself, he knows how deeply personal it can be. He doesn’t ask me what I talk about during mine, and I afford him the same courtesy.

“I wanted to see if you could help me out with something.”

“What’s going on?” He asks, taking another sip of his latte.

“Well, as you know, Don and I have started doing…the deed.”

He stops me. “Abby, let’s call it what it is…you have been blessed by the sex gods and have been having what I assume is incredible sex with Mr. Perfect who lives next door to you.”

“Uh, yeah,” I agree. “I’m trying to break out of my shell a little when it comes to that department, and I was hoping you could maybe go with me to find something sexy to wear.”

As if all of his dreams are finally coming true, Jenson’s face lights up like I’ve never seen it. “You are not going to regret this.”

I point my finger at him. “Look, I’m not looking for something crazy. Maybe just something that makes me look and feel a little sexier than usual.”

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