Temptation [h.s.] ✔

Chapter 44.

        Silence buzzes between us.

        "Do you?" he asks honestly, genuinely.

        I suck on the inside of my bottom lip. "Mostly. Sometimes."

        "Want to talk about it?"

        I raise my eyebrows, and he holds his hands up.

        "I won't charge you." He winks. "No, I'm genuinely interested in how you're coping, Liv. And to let you know that, if you need an impartial friend to discuss it with, I'm here."

        I study him for a minute. His eyes are soft and compassionate. He's leaning back in his chair, his hands resting on his legs. He means it. Just to talk.

        And I feel the burning desire to talk to someone who doesn't know but understands. Someone who truly can make sense of everything for me.

        The words tumble from me softly. From how we met, to our constant run-ins, to our 'safe' agreement. From the dangerous feelings to where we are now. How all of it makes me feel.

        "And he's gone until tomorrow night?"

        I nod. "I won't see him until Monday, but I'll be busy working to open the new bar, so I don't even know when." I run my fingers through my hair.

        "Is this the first time you've been apart since you accepted how you're feeling?"

        Another nod. "Yes."

        "And that feels..."

        I meet his eyes. "Being apart from him is like someone's torn my soul out and is shredding it right in front of my eyes."

        He blinks, my words throwing him off. Hell, they throw me off. No matter how true they are, I'm constantly surprised by the strength of my feelings for Harry. I'm constantly surprised by how they consume me.

        I take a deep breath and stand. "I have to go. I'm sorry."

        "Wait." Marchant stands and hands me a card from his pocket. "You ever feel the need for a coffee, call me."

        You ever feel the need for a free therapy session over coffee, call me.

        I curl my fingers around the card and take it. "I will."

        "And, Liv?" He steps closer to me and presses two fingers to my temple. "Addiction is all in the mind. So is willpower. You don't have to succumb to anything you don't want to."

        I give him a sad smile and gently lower his hand. I put two of my own fingers to my heart.

        "But my feelings are in here, and no amount of willpower will make those go away."

        "You would be surprised at the power of the mind."

        "The power of my mind is why I am where I am and feel what I do. Nothing about that can surprise me any longer." I grab my phone from the table next to my chair and sigh. "I understand what you're saying, March, but it simply isn't that easy. It's not a matter of box A and box B. There's no compartmentalizing when this situation arises. When emotion and addiction collide, you need a whole lot more than willpower."

        "Perhaps you should believe in your ability to conquer your addiction. We all have our vices, Liv. Yours are just stronger and more destructive than most." He follows me to the front door and opens it for me. "Perhaps you should use this weekend as a blessing in disguise, time to fight against your addiction. It will make you stronger."