Page 89 of Twisted Needs

“Anders.”

“Yup.”

She straightens. “That is not healthy, honey.”

“Ugh.” I sink lower into my chair. “I know.”

“How many times have we talked about this?”

“A lot.”

“You deserve someone who treats you consistently. Not someone who pulls you close one minute and pushes you away the next.”

I stare down at my desk because she’s right. The worst part is she’s always right.

“Anders,” she says more gently. “How did it feel when he called you baby?”

I immediately groan. “Oh, come on.”

“Anders.”

“It felt stupid.”

Helen raises an eyebrow.

“Okay, fine. It felt nice.”

“Nice?”

I sink lower into my chair. “I’ve spent weeks telling myself I need to get over him, and then he calls me baby one time and suddenly my brain forgets every single lesson you’ve ever taught me.” Helen doesn’t even try to hide her amusement. “That’s not funny,” I mutter.

“It is a little,” she chuckles.

“I’m literally paying you to be on my side.”

“Your insurance is paying me.”

“Not the point, Helly.”

“Fine.” She sighs. “So it felt good.”

“Yeah.”

“Really good?”

I groan. “Yeah, unfortunately.”

“And when he begged you to come home?”

I stare at the ceiling, my eyes following the turning blades on my ceiling fan.

“Anders.”

“I’m thinking.”

“This is called avoidance.”

“Same thing.”