Page 80 of Counting On You

Right.

What the hell did I hope to hear?

“You know, this place isn’t so bad once you get the hang of it,” he continues. “Join the group session today.”

I don’t know what to say to that. I can’t just tell a bunch of strangers my most intimate thoughts. “How do you know I haven’t been there?” I ask.

“I don’t ever see you.” He regards me intently. “You know there are mixed sessions, right?”

“Is it working for you?”

“I don’t think anything’s working here.” He winks. “But when I listen to other stories, it actually makes me feel better knowing I’m not going through their shit. So, in some way, you can say that I’m relishing in the fact that others have it worse.”

I laugh. “You’re so bad.”

“I know, right? Join me, Vicky. You’ll have so much fun. It’s one big soap opera after another,” he says. “There’s this girl who’s in love with someone she’s never seen, never spoken to. And, get this. She hasn’t even seen his photo, meaning she doesn’t know who she’s been chatting with. But she’s convinced that she’s in love.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He raises his eyebrows and gives me a deadpan face. “Why don’t you join us and see for yourself? This is real-life stuff. Even better thanCatfish.”

I stare at him.“Catfish?Seriously? You watch the show?”

“Is that so hard to believe?” He smiles and his eyes flicker with something. “We have a lot in common, don’t we?”

His words catch me off-guard.

“Yeah, I guess we do,” I say softly. My feel-good bubble is slowly bursting as something dawns on me. “How late is it?”

He glances at his watch. “Past eleven.”

I’m so late.

The last time I checked, it was shortly before nine. I realize we’ve been together for more than twelve hours.

How did my time with Kade fly so fast and I didn’t even notice?

“I’ve got to go.” I jump to my feet and run out the door before he can say anything.

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