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“I’m about to head downstairs. Shore should be here by now.”
My stomach somersaulted. “Do you mind if I come today?”
He frowned at me but shook his head. “No, I don’t mind. We have a deal, right?”
Yes.
He never denied me.
“We do.”
“Anything you want to tell me before we go in there?”
Routine and consistency.
He needed it.
I now understood how important both were when it came to keeping him level.
“I just want to talk about my career. Some changes that might happen in the future.”
“Changes?” The muscles locked in his shoulder and his jaw went tense. “Something happened?”
I knew he was thinking about Shilo. Not that he needed to worry. Shilo had learned his lesson about being respectful not just with me but with the entire company. I was sure some behind the scenes conversation happened outside of his personal chat with Elias months ago. But I never asked. I didn’t care.
“No, nothing happened…”
“Then what changes, Cress?”
“With Shore, okay?” I lifted and pecked his lips.
He was uneasy but I needed this. I needed support to have this conversation. Elias kissed me on the forehead and slipped his palm against mine, intertwining our fingers. His way of letting me know that my decision to sit with him during his session was okay with him.
We moved through the house and greeted Dr. Shore once we entered the living room. He stood and shook both of our hands offering a subtle smile as he waited until we were both seated side by side before he began.
“I wasn’t aware that you were joining us today.” He turned to me, his expression welcoming so I wasn’t worried or offended by the statement. Through the months of Elias meeting with Shore, I’d learned that he was very matter of fact with most things. It helped keep the lines defined with his handling of Elias but I always felt welcomed and that my presence was valued.
“I had a few things to discuss.”
“Is that so…” He glanced between Elias and me and I nodded.
“Okay then where would you two like to start?”
“She can go first. Something about her career so that’s the priority.”
I tensed at what he must be thinking. I had purposely been vague, not wanting to say the wrong thing.
Dr. Shore turned his eyes on me. “Cress, you’d like to discuss your career?”
“I would.”
“Please…” He sat back, crossing one leg over the other. His demeanor was calm and soothing as always. Elias placed his hand over mine where it rested between us and gave me a gentle squeeze of reassurance. I swallowed the tension in my throat and began.
“I was thinking that maybe I would take some time off in the future.”
“Why would you do that?” Elias frowned hard at me but I kept going.
“Because it might be difficult in a few months. The season gets hard and there’s back to back shows. All my time will be dedicated to practice and performances.”
