Chapter 6: Katie
“Thanks again, Ms. Collins. I’ll try what you told me.” My last client of the day walked out the door and down the narrow path beside my home to where his car was parked and I waved from the door until Halle approached from her dad’s.
“Hey you, are you keeping a secret romance I should know about?” She gestured to the car as it slowly drove away.
I gave her a scolding glance. “That’s my client.”
“No wonder you wanted to host your sessions from home. He’s a total hottie. Nice car too.” She walked past me and into the foyer stopping just outside my office door.
“I don’t date clients.” I swept my arm and waved her to the kitchen. “Would you like to have a drink?” I entered the room behind her and she took a seat at the large island in my kitchen.
“Yes please.” She waited as I poured two glasses of bourbon.
I didn’t waste time throwing mine back and she gave me a wide-eyed look as I shrugged. “I needed that. Long day.”
“You know, I might need to talk to you in your office.” She tapped her long fingernail against the rim of the glass.
“Is everything all right? I figured you came to remind me about dinner, but if things have changed I can always order out.” I searched her eyes which met my own.
“No, dinner’s on. It’s just well, I hate to mention this before we go over. The last thing I want is for dinner to be awkward, but I told him I’d try to make arrangements.” I didn’t understand what she was saying and shrugged to show it. “I’d like you to counsel my dad.”
I hadn’t expected that and my eyes widened as it sank in. “Are you sure you’d want me to do that? I can always recommend someone else. What’s the problem?”
“He hasn’t sought out any type of counseling since mom died, and I really think he could use someone to talk to. With Dad’s reputation and wealth, it’s best he use someone we could trust. I was hoping that you could help.” Her brows curled in a worrisome arch. “He said if I made the arrangements he’d attend.”
“Does he want counseling or is he only doing this for you? I ask because most of my clients make their own arrangements and of course I’m sure you’ve heard that admitting you have a problem and need help is a first step.”
“I thought that was for addicts.”
“Well, it helps if anyone admits that they have a problem before seeking help, no matter if it’s an addiction or not.” I wondered if the display I’d seen was part of his issues and how much of that taste for healing his daughter knew about.
“I’ve been hearing things, Katie. Talk about his preferences and how he’s coping with my mother’s death.” Her face blanched white and she averted her eyes. “I don’t want my father getting a bad reputation any more than he’d want the same for me. I’d like you to find out if what I’m hearing is true.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and felt the need to set her straight immediately. “I wouldn’t be able to tell you anything about the sessions with him. Not even if what you’re hearing is true.”
She lifted her hand in a halting motion. “Oh, I know that. But I’m hoping if he talks about with someone he’ll realize that it’s not good for him and maybe he’ll change.”
“What makes you so sure I can help with such a request? It’s your father, Halle.”
She reached across the counter and placed her hand on mine. “If anyone could help me, it’s you. You’re the only counselor I know and the only one I trust with this. And, well, you’ve never let me down, Katie.”
I shook my head and released a long breath. “I’m not sure.” I thought of the scene on the veranda. I was certainly interested in seeing more of him, but not like this. Guilt burdened me as I looked up into her eyes and remembered the way I’d pleasured myself to what I saw.
“Please, Katie.” I looked into her big blue eyes and nodded.
“I’ll do it. But please promise you won’t ask me anything specific about the sessions and that you won’t be angry with me for not answering when you do.” I had a feeling she was going to be asking me plenty and I already regretted taking on the task especially when I remembered I was about to go meet him for dinner. It was too late to raincheck.
“Thank you. I’ll be good, I promise.” She crossed her heart and held up the finger to give her solemnest vow. “He’ll be so surprised, but don’t say anything over dinner. I want us to have a nice evening and then I’ll tell him when you leave. I don’t want anything to be awkward.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” I did feel a bit better that it wouldn’t be a topic of any heated discussion at the dinner table and hoped for a nice quiet evening.
“I can’t wait for you to see him again. He’s been through so much and I’m hoping you’ll be a great blast from the past. You remember that time you went to the island with us, that was so much fun.” She released a sigh of relief and finished her drink.
“I do, but I’m sure he barely remembers me. He was so busy with your mom and we were chasing after those guys that were from the other side of the island.” She had particularly been busy with one of them and I had only been the consolation prize for her guy’s best friend.
“Yeah, don’t remind me. You know, my dad saw that hickey that guy gave me. He came unglued. My mother had to talk him down from going out to drown that poor kid. He’s always so overprotective when it comes to that sort of thing.”
“So now the roles are reversed?”
“Maybe a little. He’s all I’ve got. I don’t want him stuck with some skank who gets herself knocked up so my dad will have to marry her. I want him with someone nice.” She glanced down at her phone which she’d taken out of her handbag and her eyes widened. “We should get to the house. Dad’s chef gets so ticked off when I’m late.” She giggled like pissing off the chef was something she did often.
“I’m ready when you are.” I took a deep as she dragged me around the counter and led me out the back door toward her dad’s veranda.
We walked into the house and she called out to announce us.
“Daddy we’re home.” She giggled and locked arms with me. “Look who I brought.” We entered the formal dining room and she smiled and stepped back from me, sweeping her arm out like I was the showroom prize and her father’s eyes widened as his jaw dropped. For a moment, our eyes locked and then he froze as if he’d lost his words.
“It’s good to see you again, Mr. Roberts.” I gave him a shy smile and then Halle pointed to the chair she wanted me in and I took a seat beside him.
“Very nice to see you again, Katie. Or is it Katherine these days? You’ve certainly grown into a lovely young woman worthy of such a strong name.” His eyes stayed fixed on mine, but I couldn’t help but think he’d already drank in enough of me to be thinking dirty thoughts, and there was a certain glimmer in his eyes that lent to strengthen my beliefs.
“Thank you, but Katie or Katherine is fine.” I wasn’t opposed to whichever name he chose, but something in me wanted him to speak my full name, to regard me as a woman and not someone closer to his daughter’s age than his own.
“So how do you like the new place, Katherine?” My cheeks burned as I smiled. He smirked and the curl of his lip was so mischievous that I couldn’t help wonder if he was thinking of catching me watching him.
“I love it. The neighbors are especially nice.” We shared a laugh between us and I glanced over to Halle wondering if she could sense the way her father was looking at me. The air in the room felt thick between us and I tugged at the collar of my blouse to let in a little air. It was certainly getting hot in there.