Page 93 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

She could do more for him than any fucking therapist.

Because shewantedto help. She wasn’t doing it because she was being paid. She was genuine and not only going through the motions.

When the last two group members finally left, he unfolded himself from the chair and headed over to where she surveyed what remained on the table.

Mostly nothing but crumbs and a couple of empty plastic containers.

“I saved you one.”

“One what?”

She held up a Rice Krispie treat tucked in a napkin.

His mouth watered.Damn it.“Your boys must love them.”

“I’ve found that all boys love them. Including adult boys.”

He pressed a hand to his stomach. “I had a big dinner.”

“Stop being so damn difficult.” She shoved the treat at him.

Of course, that meant he had no choice but to take it. So he did. She stared him down until he took a big bite.

He blinked as the sweet treat hit his taste buds. “What did you do to them?” he asked around a mouthful.

“If I tell you my secret, you’ll have to sign an NDA.”

“NDA?”

“Non-disclosure agreement,” she explained.

“I know what an NDA is, Liyah. But we’re talking baked goods here, not NASA secrets.”

She grinned. “I was just seeing if you were paying attention, unlike during the group meeting. I add a dash of vanilla and cinnamon.”

He wasn’t any kind of baker but now that she mentioned it, he tasted those flavors. Nothing overwhelming. She added the perfect amount.

After she watched him inhale the rest, they got to work cleaning up the room and putting away the table and chairs.

As they carried the last of the folding chairs to the storage closet, she said, “You told me you were no longer coming to the meetings.”

“Did I say that?”

“I heard it and actually believed it. I was completely shocked when you walked through that door. I figured you couldn’t face me.”

“Why’s that?”

Inside the closet, she stacked a chair and turned toward him, settling her hands on her curvy hips. “You tell me.”

He put the chairs he was carrying with the rest, making sure they wouldn’t fall over like noisy dominoes. “I’ve got nothing.”

“Oh, I’m sure you have plenty, but you don’t like to share. Like in the group. I’m also sure you aren’t spilling your guts during your sessions with your therapist.”

“Maybe you should stick to baking and selling houses, instead of accusations.“

“Accusations? What did I say that’s wrong?”

“That I couldn’t face you. Me being here dispels that notion.”

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