I enter my apartment, stripping out of my dress. Something I've grown accustomed to, but I still miss having Cassie around. She made partner almost a year ago, recently got engaged and now she is living with her fiancée. I'm happy for her, but on nights like these, I miss her. Walking into the kitchen I open the cabinet grabbing a wine glass. My wine cooler hasn't been open in a few weeks and now it will be getting used more.

I don't know what I was thinking about going after Darren. I'm almost 25 years old now and still resorting back to my teenage ways. I didn't think Darren still had this hold on me. For two years I didn't care what Darren did or who he did it with. Yet, when Emile started working for me I saw the way she would look at Darren. He never looked her way when she would hand him things, but I noticed Emile started to get bolder as the months went by.

She even asked me was Darren seeing anyone and if I thought he would be interested in her. I kept the two of them from ever having to come in contact with one another for more than a few minutes. So, when he asked for me to send Emile to his office to get the files. I immediately regret telling him I was still with my ex-boyfriend and telling him to move on. Emile was thrilled to go to his office and this time she said she was going to ask him out for dinner. Something I declined only hours before.

When she came back into the office I knew she didn't succeed and that made me happy. It was short-lived. Right before the end of the work day, Darren stopped by my office to talk to Emile. She was over the moon thrilled to spill the tea that Darren is taking her out to eat and if she was lucky she would know exactly how he looked naked—something I know all too well.

I shouldn't have dragged Kenza into this, but I knew she could get Vincent talking about where Darren was tonight. I remember they all share their locations with each other. Kenza said she didn't want to know why I want it, but if I wanted to be with Darren I shouldn't screw this up. Little does she know I already did lying about my ex.

There is an aggressive knock on my door and I groan, sitting up on the couch. I don't remember falling asleep. I glance at the clock, holy shit. I stand up, wrapping the throw blanket over my body rushing to the door. I look through the peephole—Darren looks annoyed. Opening the door I give him an apologetic smile.

"Long night?" He asks looking over my head into the living room.

"Something like that." I step aside allowing him in. "I'm so sorry. Just give me twenty minutes and I'll be ready to go. You can make yourself at home."

He shakes his head no. "I'll wait in the car. Don't need your boyfriend stopping by and seeing a man in your house."

Why does he keep bringing this up?

"If that's what you want to do." I sigh,

"It is. See you in twenty minutes." He turns around heading back downstairs.

****

I've asked Darren countless times to let me know where we were going, but he told me it was a surprise. And a surprise well worth it. I couldn't help but feel happy being in his presence again. After the death of our daughter and then not knowing if Zoey was his or not, I fell into a deep depression. Cassie slowly helped me out of that dark place and told me I needed to get out more. I needed to pick up a hobby. It was okay to grieve, I just shouldn't succumb to the darkness that comes with it.

Driving in silence for almost an hour drove me insane so when we pulled in front of our destination I nearly fall flat on my face as I got out of the car. I wait for him to pop the trunk, but he never does. He gets out of the car and heads toward the building.

"Shouldn't I get my luggage?" I ask following behind him.

"Not right now." He says holding the door open for me. It's then I see where we are as I read the words on the wall. "Why are we here?"

"I see a therapist. You said you would do anything I want this weekend. You'll accompany me to one of my sessions. I think it would benefit you too." That's all he says as he checks in at the front desk. I just stare at his broad back in surprise. Therapy? An older man with salt and pepper hair steps out of his office smiling as he sees Darren and me.

"Good morning Darren and I assume you're Alsie. Please come inside." He steps back into his office opening the door for us to enter.

I never knew Darren was seeing a therapist. I guess this is why he had a sudden change in behavior and attitude. The office is very cozy and welcoming. Darren gestures for me to sit on the leather couch and he sits next to me. He looks comfortable here, relaxed almost. The older man sits on the recliner across from us, with a clipboard in hand.

"Hello Alsie, I'm Glenn Romano...Darren's therapist. It is so lovely to have you here with us this morning." He smiles. "how are you?"

"Hello. I'm confused about why I'm here." I look over at Darren and back to Mr. Romano.

"Ahh, I see Darren hasn't informed."

"He didn't."

Mr. Romano started the session and at first, I was reluctant to speak about anything, but with Darren being so vulnerable and speaking—I did too. I was even surprised that Mr. Romano knew talked about Vanessa's death and more surprised at how much I wasn't able to grieve the loss of my child. Darren comforted me, telling me it was okay and to let it all out. Then Mr. Romano touch on more personal questions and started to have both of us open up more to one another.

"Before this session comes to an end, I would like to ask you both a question. Are your expectations for each other and your relationship reasonable? You two don't have to answer it now, but when I see you two at our next session—I would like to hear the answers." He smiles standing up. Mr. Romano says his goodbyes to us and lets Darren know he will email him the next appointment date.

"You lied," Darren says as he opens the passenger door.

"Huh?" I stop looking up at him.

"Your boyfriend." I see the glint in his eyes.

Oh yes, that. As the session continued I confessed that I wasn't in a relationship anymore. I thought I could move on from Darren. Because when I thought of Darren I thought more of Vanessa and it was too much for me. My ex knew I wasn't fully with him and thought we were better off as friends and I agreed. I just couldn't bring myself to tell Darren I wasn't in a relationship.

"Sorry about that," I say getting the car and he slams the door shut. I watch as he moves quickly to the driver's side. He doesn't say anything as he gets in starting up the car. "Darren I do apologize...I'm sorry."

"No worries, you will be sorry soon." He clears his throat.

"What does that mean?" I eye him as he drives.

"You will know when we make it to my house. Now, how did you like therapy?" he changes the subject. "It feels good doesn't it."

"Surprisingly it did. I can't wait to see Mr. Romano again. So, how long have you been going to therapy?"

"Almost a year now. It works, I'm a prime example of it. I'm glad you're willing to come back with me. I think this will be good for you—for us."

He is right. I think this will be a good thing for me. This first session was something I didn't know I needed.