“I’m not,” I said, though amended quietly, “At least, I’m trying not to.”

    I could admit these things to Anna, my best friend, and it did feel good to talk about them allowed. If I talked with her about them, sorting through them, then maybe I coulde out the other side with everything resolved.

    “When we were sitting around the table, I had glimpses… like, this could be our future. We could be a family like this…” I said, even though I felt somewhat foolish.

    “You really think he would honor that? After what he did to you before?” Anna lowered her head. “bI’ll /bnever forget finding you copsed on the sidewalk, Amber. And he just left you there, so that he could follow Olivia around. Don’t forget he cheated on you…”

    “I haven’t forgotten, and I’m not sure she isn’t pregnant. I just…” I sighed a little. “I don’t know, Anna. I want to believe him. I know that’s dangerous. I know it hurt me in the past. I just…” Another sigh. “I’m not being terribly logical about this, am I?”

    “Not even a little,” Anna said. “I just don’t want to see you hurt again…”

    Our voices trailed as Ca knocked on the door and came in. She was blushing fiercely and stuttering

    some.

    “We had a w–walk–in, Healer Amber,” she said, and then giggled. “I thought you might have some time to see him before your first appointment.”

    I did, but… “Are you okay, Ca?”

    She was always a ray of sunshine, but this morning she seemed like the entire sun. Either she had way too many espressos this morning or there was something else going on.

    “I’m sorry,” she said, but continued smiling bright. “The new client is… well, he’s…” She giggled again.

    Anna and I exchanged a nce.

    “Must be a charmer,” Anna said.

    “And handsome!” Ca added with enthusiasm. When we both looked at her again, she lowered her head, clearly embarrassed for her outburst. “Sorry.”

    Well, whoever could so quickly win the heart of Ca was someone I had to see.

    “Should I lead him to a room?” Ca asked me.

    “I’ll do it,” I said, guessing that leaving Ca alone with this man would only result in more hijinks and less work doneb. /b

    As I stood, Anna called out to me. “We aren’t done talking.”

    “I know, I know,” I replied. I was d to have Anna, someone to help keep me on the straight path, listening to my brain and not my heart. My heart had caused me nothing but trouble in the past. My head

    was the only part of me I could trust anymore.

    Leaving the office, I followed Ca out toward the front waiting room. She giggled as she turned, stepping behind the reception desk. I continued forward and found the new client only a few steps beyond the desk.

    Standing confidently, he was dressed something like a rock star. Tight ck leather pants, an oversized t -shirt that with a wide neck that showed off his vicles, expensive–looking designer boots. His arms were covered in chains and nes and some tattoos of snakes twisting up his arms, disappearing under his sleeves. On his wrist, he wore a very pricey–looking wristwatch.

    “You must be the famous Healer Amber,” he said smoothly, and held out his hand for me to shake. Some of his blonde hair fell into his eyes. He shook his head slightly, flipping it back, all without taking his eyes off of me.

    I shook his offered hand, relying on my professionalism.

    I could see why Ca would be beside herself. This man oozed charm, and he was handsome. His looks were not as appealing as Julian’s, but I could still recognize how he would appear like an Adonis to some.

    “Yes, that’s right. And you are?”

    He grinned widely. “Chasei. /iMy name is Chase.”