Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Yet, I can’t help it and watch the lush brunette as she chats with a few new fans who are seated at the counter. Harlow’s laugh carries all the way to where I’m sitting, and she’s absolutely magnetic. The beautiful woman flips her long brown hair over her shoulder as she leans against the counter, all smiles and joyful ease. Clearly, these young people love her too because they’re hanging onto her every word.
But as I watch the interaction, my heart clenches because this is what’s supposed to happen. My stepdaughter should be among people her own age, enjoying that wild freedom that comes with youth, and not hanging out with an old fogey like me. But at the same time, I know that I don’t want to give her up, not now. Our relationship—as odd as it might seem to some—feels incredibly right, and even bigger than the two of us.
This is definitely something to discuss with my shrink, I think grimly. And yet the second my eyes land on Harlow again, all bitterness fades from my mind because she’s charismatic, appealing, and just so attractive that my heart softens.
How does she do that? I can’t help but wonder. How does she chase away gray clouds with her presence alone? But again, this is likely a matter for my therapist because the sweet girl’s already headed back to our table.
“Jenny’s bringing our coffees over in a minute,” she burbles, all smiles. “Don’t you love this little café?”
I glance around quickly before I let my gaze rest on Harlow once more. “It is full of beauty,” I say in a low voice, my meaning clear.
Harlow blushes crimson. “You’re being ridiculous.”
I merely shrug and then wink. “No, I’m a poet at heart, honey, and I mean every word of what I just said.”
With that, the gorgeous brunette merely slides her chair closer to mine before leaning her head against my shoulder.
“I repeat, ridiculous,” she murmurs happily. “But do you mind staying to see the rest of the performers? You don’t have too.”
I pull my woman in even closer and plant a quick kiss on the top of her head.
“As long as you’re here, then I’ll be here too,” I state simply, and it’s true. My heart has been captivated by this beautiful young woman, but the problem is that our relationship is taboo. What do we do? At the moment, it feels like we’re in safe territory, surrounded by love, music, and laughter. But we can’t keep going like this forever … or can we?
10
Sam
I lean back in the leather chair and stare at the slightly older man sitting across from me. Dr. Izzard’s big black beard is so bushy that I wonder if a squirrel is going to pop out, but then I reprimand myself. This is not what I should be thinking about when I’m supposed to be focusing on my mental health. Hell, this guy costs five hundred bucks an hour, so I need to focus.
“So what’s going on, Sam?” Dr. Izzard asks, his gaze open. “How can I help you today?”
I sigh and then smile ruefully. “Doc, I’m not sure you’re going to like what I have in store for today.”
The good doctor merely shrugs. “No judgments, Sam, just conversation. Let’s hear it.”
I run a hand through my hair, making the strands stand on end, and glower a little.
“It’s Harlow,” I growl.
“Your stepdaughter, right?” Dr. Izzard repeats, nodding slowly. “What’s going on with Harlow?”
I sigh again.
“Fuck Doc, what isn’t going on with Harlow?” I shift in my chair. “You know we live in the same house, right?”
Dr. Izzard nods.
“Yes, after your former wife passed away, she left the townhouse to her daughter, but also stated in her will that you were welcome to stay as long as you liked.”
I nod.
“Well fuck, but maybe I should have moved out because we’ve been seeing each other over the last couple of months,” I grind out.
Dr. Izzard is motionless for a moment.
“I see.”
“Yeah,” I say in a brusque tone. “Pretty fucked up, right?”
The therapist is silent again.
“How old did you say she was?”
I sigh.
“She’s nineteen, and no, Doc, I didn’t touch her until after she was legal. This thing between us didn’t start until recently. But goddamn! I’m in a relationship with my own stepdaughter. How fucked up is that?”
Dr. Izzard crosses one leg over the other, merely absorbing this information. To be honest, I never thought I would be the kind of man to see a shrink, but a couple years ago I landed on Dr. Izzard’s doorstep after a particularly stressful year at work. Now, I attend therapy regularly because it helps, and as a doctor myself, I firmly believe in treating the mind as much as any other part of the human body.
“This is an interesting situation,” my therapist states in a calm tone. “Can you tell me more about it?”