Read Online Trust by Sherri Hayes - Free Book Online Page A

can even leave the door cracked if that would make you feel better.”
    “Okay.”
    “We’ll be right outside, Anna.” Jade stood and walked to where Cal was standing looking none too happy by the door. She laced her fingers through his, and they walked back out into the waiting area, leaving me alone with Dr. Perkins.
    Once they were gone, Dr. Perkins turned her attention back to me. Now that we were alone, the couch I was sitting on seemed overly large, and it felt as if it would engulf me any moment.
    “First of all, Anna, I want to assure you that all we’re going to do is talk. I won’t touch you without your permission, all right?”
    I nodded, still unsure.
    “Also, in here we can discuss anything you want. If you want to talk about how hot it is outside today, that’s okay, too.”
    She winked, and I couldn’t help but smile slightly.
    The rest of my meeting with Dr. Perkins was a “get to know you” of sorts. She told me about her schooling, and why she’d decided to specialize in helping people with trauma-related issues. When she asked me to tell her a little about myself, I was at a loss. It was almost as bad as when Stephan had me write ten positive things about myself. Not quite as bad, but almost.
    “What do you want to know?”
    “Anything. Anything you want to tell me.”
    “I’m . . . I’m nineteen. I grew up in Dallas, Texas with my mom. I’m an only child.”
    “Was it lonely growing up an only child?”
    I shook my head. “Not really. Mom . . . we always did lots of fun things together.”
    “Like what? What is something you used to do with your mom?”
    I didn’t have to think too hard about it. “We used to go to the zoo.”
    “That’s always fun.”
    “It was.” As I thought of going to the zoo with my mom, I also remembered the time Stephan had taken me. It was shortly after he’d rescued me from Ian, and I’d still believed then that he’d wanted to use me as Ian had. That day had made me start to think that maybe Stephan wasn’t the monster I’d originally thought him to be.
    “Where did you go just now?”
    I jerked at the sound of Dr. Perkins’s voice. “I was . . . remembering.”
    “Your mom?”
    I was tempted to lie to her, but it didn’t seem like the right thing to do. “No. I was . . . I was remembering whe-when Stephan took me.”
    Dr. Perkins glanced at the clock, then back at me. “Next time, maybe you can tell me about this Stephan. He seems important. For now, though, I bet your friends are anxious to see you.”
    On the drive back to Cal’s house, I looked out the window at the passing buildings and wondered where Stephan was. It was a Friday afternoon. Was he working? Or was he already home?
    “What did you think of Candice, Anna?”
    I turned my head to look at Jade for a moment before going back to watching the passing scenery. We were headed out of the city, and the buildings had given way to houses. “She was nice.”
    “I liked her, too.”
    “Jade and I both rearranged our schedules so that we can continue to take you to see her. Even if we sit out in the waiting room while you talk to her, at least we’ll be there if you need us.”
    I glanced over to Cal and nodded. He was trying to be there for me, to help me, and I appreciated it. I only wished he wasn’t so hostile toward Stephan.
    “Cal?”
    “Yeah, Anna?” He met my gaze in the rearview mirror.
    “You’re still going to help Stephan, right?”
    Cal sighed and refocused on the road. “Yes. I promised I would, and I will.”
    “Okay. Thank you.”
    When we arrived home, to Cal and Jade’s disappointment, I went straight to my room and climbed into bed. Being under the blankets made me feel surrounded . . . comforted. It wasn’t the same as Stephan’s arms, but if I closed my eyes really tight, I could imagine it was.
    Talking to Dr. Perkins today, although it hadn’t been as horrible as I’d thought it would be, had reminded me of yet another thing I