Page 58 of Never To Suffer

“Ohhhh, but it is someone!”

“Yes, okay. You got me there. I’mtalkingto someone and there’s interest from both parties.” No amount of therapy canhelp someone addicted to gossip, and Kennedy could give places like TMZ a run for their money. I’m surprised she doesn’t go work for them. “But it’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

“Both parties? Interest? Lame! But okay, fiiiine. Your three o’clock just walked in. Late, as usual. Oh, and Chase called. I booked him for four fifteen, your next opening. Video call since he’s on set, but he called it kind of an emergency.”

“Fine, that will be fine. Kennedy?” I’m about to go back to my files, but stop. “Did I whistle for an hour?”

“At least. Like, you saw Mrs. Klein out and as soon as she was gone, you started. Pretty much been going strong ever since. You’re good at it though, so I’m not complaining, but I don’t know the songs, so I can’t sing along.”

LA Proper. I’ve been listening to their music again since I found out they were in that ridiculous, exploitative competition. Leave it to me to be the one shrink in LA whistling punk rock songs as a sign I’m falling for someone.

Am I? Falling?

I hope the band has a decent lawyer to get them out of whatever contract they had to sign to do this shit. The video of them from the show last night has hit record views because of their new bass player. The guy’s got skills, but he’s also got this stellar stage presence that pulls you in, which fits them better than the last guy. Doesn’t hurt that he and the drummer make out. I missed the Orange County show; it sold out in minutes. But I’ve already purchased a pair of tickets for their next closest show and finals party they’re doing here in Los Angeles months from now. Maybe I can bring Xander along.

“Oh, speaking of music, here!” She pulls out a handful of tickets. “This guy I met gave them to me, but it’s not my scene. He only wants in my pants. But you go to a ton of live shows, so maybe you want them or someone you know can use them?” Shethrusts them out toward me. “I don’t know the bands. Take your new boo!”

I take the tickets with a smile. No point in arguing with her when she doesn’t care if I go. She needs the temptation taken out of her own hands. I wish I could tell her how proud I am of her for this step, but she’s the type who doesn’t do well with that kind of praise. I give them a quick glance and see they’re for tonight.

“So?”

“Hmm?”

“The lucky person! I want deets!”

I tuck the tickets into my desk drawer and turn back to my computer. “It’s…seriously nothing to dwell on. We haven’t known each other long, and I don’t know where this will end up. There’s a few, uhm, complications? Things we’d need to iron out before he and I could move to the next step.”

“Oh. My. God. He’s married?”

“No, not exactly.”

She sits in a chair, scooting it closer before propping her elbows on my desk and batting her eyes at me in anticipation. A big bag of popcorn would complete her look as she sits there, expecting me to spill everything out to her. I would love to wax poetically about Xander to someone, but not to Kennedy.

“I’m a little…busy.” My phone buzzes, my fingers itching to pick it up. “Very busy, in fact.”

Her jaw drops. Shit. “Dr. Clay you cad!”

“Cad?”

“Yeah, I’ve been reading my mom’s romance novels and they’re, well, regency.”

“Interesting. Now, if you don’t mind?”

She rolls her eyes and finally leaves, saying something about going downstairs to get a coffee and some food. I flip over my phone and there are two new videos and a message from Xander.

Blue Eyed Baby

Was that too much?

No, baby. I’m just…work is making it hard.

But don’t stop. I look forward to watching all of these later tonight.

Blue Eyed Baby

It’s not your work making it hard, it’s me

Dinner when I come back? Like, out, not you cooking again.

---