“Dr. Keller!” my Dating Specialist picks up on the first ring. “How great to hear from you. Sorry I wasn’t able to reach out sooner, but the weekends are always a busy time. I wanted to collect your feedback on your date Thursday night. Did you enjoy your evening?”
“Yes,” I reply truthfully.
“And did you feel you and Miss Di Mauro were compatible?”
Like always, she sticks to our aliases instead of real names.
“Yes, but—”
“How wonderful,” Jennifer cuts me off in a wave of enthusiasm. “And if Miss Di Mauro also gives me positive feedback, would you be interested in a second date?”
“No.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said I don’t want a second date with Mira.”
“But… why?”
“There was no spark.”
“No spark,” Jennifer repeats, and then takes a brief pause. Did I finally rock her boat?
Nuh-uh. Two seconds are enough for her to recover and get back on the warpath. “Okay, Dr. Keller, you’re a tough nut to crack, but I don’t give up easily. What if we tried something different for a change?”
“Different how?” I ask warily.
“Well, you’re not hitting it off with the women best suited for you, so… How about we try matching you with someone completely wrong for you on paper? You know, try an ‘opposites attract’ strategy.”
“Wouldn’t that be a recipe for disaster?”
“Well, Dr. Keller, everything we’ve tried so far hasn’t worked, so it’s time to think outside the box. Or do you no longer want to find true love?”
Despite my better judgment, I agree with Jennifer’s crazy idea. One more terrible date won’t kill me, and at least I’ll be able to ask for a refund afterward.
***
I let Vivian process what’s happened with Tegan’s father for a few more days before I press the topic again. In an ideal world she would’ve already reached out, but Vivian has been AWOL all week. For a lawyer, she sure doesn’t like confrontations when it comes to her personal life. Her trust issues with men make a lot more sense now that I know about Tegan’s father. But by Friday it really is past time we talked about this, so I show up at her office door bright and early, armed with more donuts and Vivian’s favorite coffee order—vanilla latte, as kindly disclosed by Tegan.
She opens the door, taking me in alongside the box of donuts and coffee tray. “Why am I not surprised?” she asks, her lips parting in a smile.
Bun tighter than ever, she’s wearing another one of her purplish suits. If I were meeting her for the first time, I’d still call the ensemble stern. But now I know what lacy secrets hide under those pencil skirts, and I can’t stop thinking how good it’d feel to untie her hair and let it flow through my fingers like silk.
I’m still staring like an idiot when Vivian speaks again. “Are you doubling as a delivery boy, or did you have a reason to be here?”
And I must’ve gone mad, because I’m even starting to enjoy her banter.
“I’d like to talk about last weekend, and the donuts are to sweeten the pill a little. You have time?”
“Would it matter if I said no?”
“If you’re not in the mood for donuts and a vanilla latte—skim milk, extra vanilla pump—I can come back later.”
Vivian’s eyes widen upon hearing the description of her favorite coffee blend, and her smile gets bigger. “Gosh, you’re good at getting me to do things I don’t want to do.” She steps aside. “Come on in.”
I wait for her to be properly caffeinated and sweetened before I ask, “How are you holding up?”
“That’s not just a conversational interlude—you want a proper answer, right?”
“I’d like one, yes.”
“Has Tegan said anything?”
I nod. “She’s processing and recovering fast from the blow. But you’re a big part of her world, and she can tell you’re upset.”
“I am,” Vivian admits. “I’m furious that bastard disowned Tegan a second time and threatened her, but… Coming clean has lifted a huge weight off my chest. It’s wonderful to no longer have secrets with my daughter, not to live with the constant fear of Tegan finding out what a jerk her father is. The worst has already happened, and now we can both move on.” She pauses for a moment, turning the paper cup in her hands, and then raises her big, Bambi eyes on me. “And you were right, by the way. Sharing the truth brought us closer.”
My lips curl. “I’m sorry, I must’ve heard wrong. Did you just say I was right?”
“Now, don’t go getting a big head, Doctor, you’re still an awful neighbor. But I have to admit you’re a decent therapist.”
“Oh, come on, would an awful neighbor bring you your favorite breakfast?”
“I thought you were acting in counselor capacity.”
“And as a friend. If you’re still okay with being friends, that is.”
She looks startled. “You’re worried about me?”
“Is that okay?”
“I suppose…”
We hold stares for a long time, as if we’re playing a game of whoever-drops-their-gaze-first loses. But I’m not interested in competing, so, with the excuse of taking another donut out of the box, I break the eye contact. And Vivian breaks the silence.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Did Tegan tell you about her plan? To denounce her father, and possibly get him fired?”
I nod.
“What do you make of it?” she presses. “Is it an act of pointless revenge, or does it have merit?”
“What do you think?”
“Is answering questions with other questions part of your shrinking voodoo, Doc?”
“Sorry, I can’t share my secret juju.”
Vivian rolls her eyes but answers my question all the same. “I’m torn. Tegan’s right when she says I should’ve reported her father years ago, and that if he’s been treating other women the same, he needs to be stopped…”
“But?”
“But I’m also worried she’s just seeking revenge out of spite. He rejected her, and she’s lashing out. And I’m not sure a tit-for-tat approach is healthy.”
I consider
