Page 10 of Hypnotized By Love

Another snort from Mason.

I had to swallow back my retort.

We went through the remaining steps a tad faster than we might normally, partly because Heather had done it so often that it wasn’t necessary to take my time, but mostly because I really wanted Mason out of my office. That whole situation with Timothy had already made me doubt myself and my abilities.

I didn’t need Mason doing his best heckler impersonation and making everything worse.

I finished up, properly closing out the session and bringing Heather back to full awareness. I could always tell the moment it happened because her eyes popped open and she immediately began talking about her neighbor, picking up right where she’d left off.

Feeling a bit rude, I had to interrupt her again. I had another client scheduled, and I needed Mason to go so that I didn’t say something unforgivable to him in front of his sweet mother. “I’m sorry, but I wanted to tell you that I think our next session should be our last one,” I said. “It sounds like everything is working the way it’s supposed to.”

I hoped Mason wouldn’t show up for that one, too. I wasn’t strong enough to refrain from throwing things at his head if he continued to silently mock me.

His mother beamed at me. “You have already helped me so much. That’s why Mason wanted to come with me today. He didn’t believe it.”

I bet he didn’t.

“It was great to see you,” I said, pointing my comment solely at Heather. “I’ll see you again next week!”

She said goodbye and stood up. Then, oddly enough, she put a hand on my shoulder and said, “Be nice, please. And say yes. For my sake.”

Before I could ask what she meant by that, she left my office.

But Mason stayed put.

For a moment I couldn’t speak. He was looking at me so intensely—with anger? Desire? Something else entirely?—that I felt ... trapped. Like his gaze was holding me in place.

It was as if he were touching me, and all he was doing was looking at me. I had actual goose bumps.

Despite my resolutions to be the bigger person, I lashed out.

“What are you doing?” I asked him, rubbing my hands along my exposed arms, willing the goose bumps to go away. “You can go now. Feel free to show yourself out. I have another appointment.”

He nodded. “Yes, you do. And I’m your ten o’clock.”

CHAPTER FOUR

This was why Heather had asked me to be nice and say yes. They both knew they were going to spring this on me, and I was totally unprepared for it.

“That’s not ... you can’t ... I won’t ...” I sputtered, unable to form complete sentences. There was absolutely zero chance I was going to hypnotize Mason Beckett.

My plan was to steer clear of him entirely. Not to be forced to spend another minute in his lying-dirtbag presence.

“Always so articulate,” Mason mused, that insufferable smirk on his face. “I saw that video about you on social media. The one where you cured that girl’s anxiety.” He didn’t make air quotes with his fingers when he saidcured, but I could hear them in his tone.

“And so you tagged along today to what, try and catch me in the act of gaslighting your mom? You heard her. I’m helping. Sorry to disappoint. And, again, please feel free to go.”

He stayed put.

“My mom has dealt with insomnia for a long time. Ever since her mom died. She’s had a lot of sleepless nights. I know it’s affected her day-to-day life.”

His voice had altered, softened. It put my guard up, making me completely suspicious. He only talked to me like that when he wanted something. “And you’re right. She does seem to think that you’ve helped her.”

Seemed to think? “It’s not in her head. There are so many medical studies that prove the efficacy of hypnosis. It is especially helpful with insomnia, which is backed by scientific research. You can look it up yourself if you want. I’m not a witch doctor or a quack or whatever other insult you’ve got geared up. I take what I do seriously. I know it works.”

He held up both hands, like he was surrendering. To placate me, but I wasn’t in the mood to be placated.

“So let me see for myself.”

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