Page 63 of Manhattan State of Mind

Priya’s eyebrow arches, interest in her eyes. “How are the sessions going?”

I shrug, absentmindedly twisting my bangs into a makeshift unicorn horn. “Okay, I guess? It’s not like I have any point of reference. We’re doing CBT techniques. No miracle cure though. It’s on me to fix me, which is scary.”

“At least they let you out tonight,” Libby chimes in, her eyes wide. “I was worried they wouldn’t.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Who arethey, Libby? Did you expect me to be chained up in a straitjacket at home? I’m not Hannibal Lecter. I’m still perfectly capable of going out with my friends.”

Her eyes bulge. “I just… I don’t know anyone else with amnesia! You only hear about it in the movies.Groundhog Day!”

“Please, no. That poor bastard was stuck on repeat. This is more likeOverboard, except instead of a yacht and a ruggedly handsome carpenter, I’ve got a sex shop and Spider.”

“Overboard. I love it.” I see Libby’s mind ticking away. “Oh my God, I could get you onPage 12! This is someDays of Our Liveslevel drama. Readers would eat it up.”

I shudder. The last thing I need is to be turned into clickbait fodder in Libby’s trashy tabloid. “I can imaginewhat they’d cook up.Who the f**k is Lucy? A memoir. Except in your tabloid, I’d be in my underwear for no logical reason. Not happening, Lib.”

Libby’s shoulders sag.

“Anyway,” I continue, “speaking of me being allowed out into the wild… there’s a comic convention happening this weekend…”

“Shit,” Priya hisses.

“You’re not trying to find this random guy in a rubber suit, are you?” Libby groans. “That’s just crazy. One photo does not mean this guy is your soulmate.”

“I know that,” I snap back, prickling at her words. “But I’ve got a gut feeling. And since my head isn’t working properly, I’m relying on my gut. Besides, my doc said I should get back to normal life and this is my normal. I go every year.” I smile innocently at them. “So… you’re coming, right? Because you’re my ‘loving and supportive’ friends?”

Priya narrows her eyes. “You owe us big time, lady.”

I grin, all fake sweetness. Memory loss has some advantages.

“And one more favor,” I continue, while I’m on a roll. “Can you both join a therapy session online in three days? I’ll send the details later.”

“Sure we can,” Priya supplies with a shrug, followed by a nod from Libby. “Honestly, this healthcare service is phenomenal. Even friends are involved.”

“Apparently, it’s part of my work’s insurance package.”

Priya looks up, her wine halfway to her mouth. “Impressive. Maybe Wolfe and the Quinn brothers aren’t the assholes we thought.”

“Actually…” I pause, swirling my straw in my drink. “Wolfe gave me a ride home today.”

Their eyes nearly pop out of their heads.

“JP Wolfe?” Priya parrots, like she misheard. “For real? But why?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure. He made me go to his office after I had a meltdown at Dwayne. I thought I was going to be fired or something, but instead, he insisted on driving me home.”

“Hold up.” Priya’s eyebrows reach for her hairline. “You’re saying that Wolfe actually put his own billionaire butt in a car seat and drove you himself?”

“Uh-huh.”

They look so stunned, it’s almost insulting.

“That’s so weird.” Libby wrinkles her nose. “Why wouldhewant to driveyouhome?”

“Cheers, Lib, way to make me feel special.”

“He’s the big boss. I’m just saying it like it is.”

I sigh, pushing down that pesky pang of disappointment in my chest. “Okay, fine, maybe you have a point. He’s not evenmyboss. There’s a whole corporate ladder between us. It’s amazing he even knows my name.”