every gory detail of the nightmares I still have about the wreck that killed my father and sister five years ago. And he even made a way for me to see my mom more than the four times a year I’m allowed to visit.
My therapist back in the States recommended him to me since I have exceptional needs as she stated in my report. The breathing techniques I’ve learned have also helped my respiratory issues.
“Erin, come back to me. I said let’s talk about what’s bothering you.”
I debate on just how much I should really tell him. “I’m--I wish I could trust people more than I do.”
“Is it that you wish you could trust people more? Or do you wish you could trust yourself to be willing to learn something from new experiences?”
“Am I allowed to say yes to both of those?”
He gives me a Fabio style smile. “Ah, dear Erin, they are both one and the same, trusting someone else and believing in you. Accepting one simply leads to discovering the other hidden element inside yourself.”
“I never thought about trust that way,” I answer truthfully. “I guess it all makes sense.”
“Who would you like to trust?”
What the hell ever. Just tell him. “My new boss.”
“You left Black Butterfly?”
“No. I was hired to design a new line by this Maestro. He’s kind of a big deal. I’m scared as hell. And I don’t want screw up.”
“Why do you believe you’ll be unsuccessful?”
That’s a trick question. I have several answers for it. The main one being that I have a mega crush on the Maestro. Oh, and did I mention I can get fired if we wind up screwing around? And don’t even think about what could happen if things get crazy and we wind up hating each other. I take the safe route with my answer. “I really want to impress him. With my work, that is.”
Petre doesn’t miss anything. “You like this man. Is he the first person you’ve been attracted to since your last boyfriend?”
Another tricky one. “I haven’t exactly been a nun, Petre.”
“I’m aware of that, but this man is different. I can tell by the way you’re glowing, today. You’d like to be able to trust him. Then maybe you’d consider allowing him a chance to move beyond the walls you’ve erected around fragile Erin, protecting her.” He gives me a knowing smile. I’m conflicted inside. I like that he understands me so well, but I don’t enjoy the times when anyone gets this close to figuring me out. I think of the way Alek compared me to a song as I prepare my reply to Petre’s comment
“Are there really any walls around me? Or could it be that I’ve just been asleep? Maybe I’ve been kind of hanging out and waiting for the DJ to play the right song to stir me up a bit.” That’s what Jada would say, anyway.
Everything that came out of her mouth was compared to music. My chest tightens as I think about the day she died, the one time I’ll always regret being a coward for the rest of my life. “Geez, you’re rubbing off on me too damn much,” I scold, sharing a light laugh with Petre, and trying to put on a brighter face. He’s like the father I no longer have around.
“Open your mind, Erin. However you choose to do so. Whether it’s believing in your abilities or seeing yourself as a sleeping beauty who needs to hear the right words to break her spell. Either way, life will reward your bravery.”
I inhale and hold my breath a short moment before I say, “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter Five
Alek
The limo eases to a stop in front of Giacomos , one of my favorite restaurants in all of Italy. With sweaty palms stuffed in my pockets, I wait for Hagar to get out and open Erin’s door. My mother’s trusted driver passes a smug grin toward me as he walks over to Erin’s side.
Watching Erin Angelo step out of the car stops all of my bodily functions, except for one. I see nothing and notice no one else but the woman wearing a sunny colored dress. She could easily have stepped straight out of
My therapist back in the States recommended him to me since I have exceptional needs as she stated in my report. The breathing techniques I’ve learned have also helped my respiratory issues.
“Erin, come back to me. I said let’s talk about what’s bothering you.”
I debate on just how much I should really tell him. “I’m--I wish I could trust people more than I do.”
“Is it that you wish you could trust people more? Or do you wish you could trust yourself to be willing to learn something from new experiences?”
“Am I allowed to say yes to both of those?”
He gives me a Fabio style smile. “Ah, dear Erin, they are both one and the same, trusting someone else and believing in you. Accepting one simply leads to discovering the other hidden element inside yourself.”
“I never thought about trust that way,” I answer truthfully. “I guess it all makes sense.”
“Who would you like to trust?”
What the hell ever. Just tell him. “My new boss.”
“You left Black Butterfly?”
“No. I was hired to design a new line by this Maestro. He’s kind of a big deal. I’m scared as hell. And I don’t want screw up.”
“Why do you believe you’ll be unsuccessful?”
That’s a trick question. I have several answers for it. The main one being that I have a mega crush on the Maestro. Oh, and did I mention I can get fired if we wind up screwing around? And don’t even think about what could happen if things get crazy and we wind up hating each other. I take the safe route with my answer. “I really want to impress him. With my work, that is.”
Petre doesn’t miss anything. “You like this man. Is he the first person you’ve been attracted to since your last boyfriend?”
Another tricky one. “I haven’t exactly been a nun, Petre.”
“I’m aware of that, but this man is different. I can tell by the way you’re glowing, today. You’d like to be able to trust him. Then maybe you’d consider allowing him a chance to move beyond the walls you’ve erected around fragile Erin, protecting her.” He gives me a knowing smile. I’m conflicted inside. I like that he understands me so well, but I don’t enjoy the times when anyone gets this close to figuring me out. I think of the way Alek compared me to a song as I prepare my reply to Petre’s comment
“Are there really any walls around me? Or could it be that I’ve just been asleep? Maybe I’ve been kind of hanging out and waiting for the DJ to play the right song to stir me up a bit.” That’s what Jada would say, anyway.
Everything that came out of her mouth was compared to music. My chest tightens as I think about the day she died, the one time I’ll always regret being a coward for the rest of my life. “Geez, you’re rubbing off on me too damn much,” I scold, sharing a light laugh with Petre, and trying to put on a brighter face. He’s like the father I no longer have around.
“Open your mind, Erin. However you choose to do so. Whether it’s believing in your abilities or seeing yourself as a sleeping beauty who needs to hear the right words to break her spell. Either way, life will reward your bravery.”
I inhale and hold my breath a short moment before I say, “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter Five
Alek
The limo eases to a stop in front of Giacomos , one of my favorite restaurants in all of Italy. With sweaty palms stuffed in my pockets, I wait for Hagar to get out and open Erin’s door. My mother’s trusted driver passes a smug grin toward me as he walks over to Erin’s side.
Watching Erin Angelo step out of the car stops all of my bodily functions, except for one. I see nothing and notice no one else but the woman wearing a sunny colored dress. She could easily have stepped straight out of
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