Page 43 of Clueless
Taz
Grace was lying with her head on my chest while I sifted her silky hair through my fingers, when she asked about my call with Quinn.
I didn’t want to hold back with her.I wanted to tell her everything, even when it didn’t cast me in the most favorable light.
“She hates me, there’s no doubt about that.”
She kissed my chest as she drew hearts on my abdomen with her fingernail.“She told you that?”
“She didn’t have to.She practically spewed hate with every word she said.”
“Babe, I’ve mediated a lot of conversations like this, between estranged family members.Both while I was interning and since I started my own practice, and I can tell you there’s always a lot of animosity in the beginning.It takes time to work through that.But if both parties remain receptive, it can happen, over time.”
I was so grateful to have someone in my life who understood this shit, because I was clueless.“I know I’m willing.No matter how much abuse she wants to dish out, I can take it.But I can’t say how willing she is.”
“Maybe you two should sit down with a professional, someone who could mediate.I could refer you to a colleague of mine, if you think it would help?”
“Your friend, Kaitlyn?”
“No, someone with no connection to you, even through me.There’s a therapist in my office building.His name is Jasper.He’s about my age and he’s fabulous.”
I scowled at her as my gut clenched.Great, another guy I had to be worried about.“Why is this the first I’m hearing about him?”
She rolled her eyes, pushing against my chest.“Uh, because we’ve never talked about the possibility of you needing a therapist before, so why would I mention him?”
“Is he a friend of yours?”
“Sure, we’ve become friendly.”
My hand tightened around her waist.“Define friendly.”
“We go out to lunch from time to time, talk about clients, in general terms.We’re friends, Taz.I do have male friends, you know.Guys I went to school with?—”
“Are you still friends with anyone you dated?”
“Uh, no.Definitely not.”
“Good.”I rolled over on my back, staring at the ceiling.“This is so weird for me.Never, in my life, have I been jealous of a woman.”
She giggled.“We’re venturing into all kinds of unchartered territory, you and me.”
I side-eyed her.“You think it’s funny that I’m such a mess?”
She inched closer on the bed and kissed me.“You’re not a mess.You’re perfect.For me.”
I sighed as my eyes scanned her beautiful face.“God, I want to believe that.”
“So, believe it.Because you are.”She smiled.“I wouldn’t change anything about you.Not your past.The fact you have a daughter.I love that you’re rough around the edges and not afraid to speak your mind.I think it’s sexy that you’re so protective of the people you care about.”
I wrapped my hand around her face.“And I do care about you, so much.That’s why it kills me to think about you with someone else.”
“So, don’t think about it.Because it’s not going to happen.”
“Is this guy married?Girlfriend?”
“Who?”she asked, frowning.
“Jasper, or whatever the hell his name is.”
