Page 231 of The Carnage We Keep

But slowly, I nod my head.

I shiver, my eyes still tightly closed as I feel him pull me to him. His breath ghosts across my lips.

“I love you, Bella,” he breathes against my mouth.

My eyes open, and my gaze holds his without blinking, without flinching, without hiding.

“I love you, too.”

“I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see you again.”

I jolt when I hear her voice behind me. But then I exhale the tension and finish setting the envelope and little present on Dr. Fallon’s kitchen table before I turn to smile at her.

“It’s been a while, Britney.” She smiles at me, tightening her bathrobe around herself as she steps into the dark kitchen.

“Missing my psycho conversation, doc?” I grin. “Or just me tying you up?”

She chuckles quietly. “Oh, I’ve got someone else for that now.”

My jaw drops.

“Well hellooo, Dr. Fallon!!” I grin. “Look at you, getting your slut on!”

She hides a smug grin as she walks past me to the stove. “What? Therapists are allowed to have sex lives.”

“Yeah, super kinky ones, apparently!” I giggle. “Jesus Christ, doc. I mean I leave you unsupervised for five minutes…”

She chuckles as she leans against the counter. “How’s Blandrew?”

I blush before I take a slow breath and grin.

“Damiano. His name is Damiano. And… He’s really good.”

My grin widens as I roll my eyes.

“And apparently I love him.”

God. The grin turns into a full-blown big, sappy, dumb smile. But I embrace it as I look right at her and shrug.

“Yeah. I love him. Like, a lot.”

Dr. Fallon beams back at me. “That’s wonderful to hear, Britney. I’m so happy for you!”

I shrug, my face still throbbing. “Thanks.”

“And this is…reciprocated, I hope?”

“I mean…” I gesture broadly at myself. “Obviously.”

She chuckles and reaches for the kettle. “Tea?”

“I’m…” I chew on my lip. “I’m not staying, actually.”

A warm smile spreads across her face. “So, things are going very well with Damiano, then.”

I blush deeply.

“I just wanted to stop by and…you know…” I turn and nod at the wrapped box and the envelope sitting on her table. “As a thank you. You can open them now.”