Page 146 of The True Garza

“I’ll be right back.”

She skitters off to where Lexi, Monica, and Tillie are talking near the gazebo. She says something, and all their heads swivel to where True is.

Hmm.There must be something with True and that woman that I don’t know about. I sweep my attention back to True and the woman, observing. Her red pantsuit and pearl necklace are classy, but not in tone with the event, so she’s for certain not a guest. At this point, I’ve spent so much time with True that I’m—almost—utterly familiar with his body language. And what I’m getting right now is that there’s nothing to be worried about. He’s not interested in her.

The rest of the Garzas don’t seem to think that, though, judging by their reactions.

Eventually, the woman leaves, but it doesn’t stop the random looks from the Garzas.

When the constant looking and whispering starts to get to me, I fire off a text to True to let him know I’m going out to the front garden, then grab my crutches and straighten up.

True doesn’t even check his phone, yet before I’ve made a single step, he’s moving in my direction.You were watching me even when it seemed like you weren’t, huh?

I hobble off a few feet, then stop and wait for him.

“Hey,” he says when he reaches me. “Where are you going?”

“Your family keeps giving me strange looks and whispering among themselves and it’s making me uncomfortable. I’m just gonna chill out in the front garden until you’re ready.”

His brows knit together as he glances around. “Oh. Shit. They’re probably wondering about Sonya.”

“If Sonya is the woman who was whispering to you a bit ago, then you’re right.”

“Come on.” He prods me along. “I was waiting for an appropriate time to leave that wouldn’t offend the bride and groom, but if they’re gonna make you feel uncomfortable by being nosy idiots, then screw them.”

“What,no, you can’t leave.” I stop and look up at him. “The bride and groom haven’t even danced yet.”

“Okay, we’ll come back.” He prods me to get moving again. “We’re not going far.”

Albeit confused, I let him guide me inside the B-and-B, into the elevator, and up to the second floor. He stops outside door “12” and knocks.

Seconds later, the door swings open, revealing the woman from earlier. She smiles warmly and waves us in. “Hello, London.”

Though utterly bewildered, I shuffle in.

The room is large, spacious, and airy. In the center, however, are three club chairs around a coffee table with a teapot, teacups, and bottles of water.

“So…?” I prompt, waiting for an explanation.

True guides me to sit in one of the club chairs, then takes my crutches and sets them aside. “This is Dr. Sonya Yoon. She’s a psychotherapist. I’ve been seeing her for the last two months.”

“Oh?”

“She’s leaving tonight for a month-long trip overseas, but I begged her at last minute to see us together before she leaves. And since I’m her most charming, handsome client, she couldn’t say no.”

Sonya rolls her eyes.

“So, yeah, that explains this room and the impromptu session in the middle of my brother’s reception.” He sits in the chair next to mine and takes my hand in his. “I’ve been seeing her about my… issues. And aboutus.”

“Okay….”

Sonya sits in the chair on the other side of the coffee table.

“I want to commit to you. I want to be able to be with you without hurting you,” True goes on. “So I wanted to know if there was any hope at all of that being possible. And after many long sessions….” His smile is hesitant. “There’s hope.”

Skeptical, afraid to get my hopes up, I swing my eyes from him to Sonya. “Really?”

Sonya nods, smiling kindly. “We went deep. Though it’s up to him if he wants to share that depth with you. But I do encourage that he shares any and everything he believes will put you at ease.” She looks to True. “Do you want to do that now, Trueman?”