One More Night with You Read Online Free PDF Page A

screening process is heavy. The last time I was probed so closely, my feet were in stirrups and a speculum was involved.”
    Willa’s expression froze. Gray, kinky hair twisted high exposed a curiously lovely face. Freckle-dotted, fawn-colored skin. Asymmetrical cheeks. A mouth that drooped slightly on the right. “A specu— Ah, never mind. We prefer to think of our screening process as thorough, but you’ve found it intrusive.”
    â€œWell, yes, I guess.”
    â€œWas it overly time-consuming?”
    â€œJust too...in-depth.” In-depth, exactly. The questions held up far too many mirrors, shone light on things Joey preferred to stay in the dark. “I’m surprised no one’s popped in to ask me for a pee sample.”
    â€œYour humor protects you, doesn’t it?”
    Her guard slipped, and the honesty was as welcoming as the touch of a cool cloth on fevered skin. “I’d like it to.”
    â€œOh? Why?”
    â€œIf I answer that question, what will the next one be?”
    â€œWhy do you need protection?”
    Joey was here as a client, not a patient. She answered Willa’s scrutiny with, “Ohhh, no, you don’t, Miz Willa.”
    â€œFirst, I quite like that— Miz Willa. Second, what is it that you’re taking offense to now?”
    â€œCharlotte didn’t talk me into a therapy session. I’m here to meet somebody. An okay guy who can get me through my friend’s wedding, help me bust a few Os along the way and back off when it’s time.”
    â€œSo you’ve assigned an expiration date to a relationship that hasn’t yet formed.”
    Again with the psychological detour. Was this Willa Smart the matchmaker, or Willa Smart the shrink?
    The decor said she’d entered a trap of the latter. Aside from being overrun with flowers, it contradicted Joey’s imaginings. Behind Willa’s desk was a wall of frames that showed off credentials: doctoral degrees, therapist licenses, Association for Psychological Science awards. An ultra-comfy sofa cluttered with a pile of random throw pillows prevented the space from being labeled sterile. In place of candlelight and sultry R&B music were sunshine and opera. Where she thought she might find snapshots of smiling, happily matched couples were strange photographs of barren landscapes.
    Instead of shag carpeting, Joey found hardwood beneath her patent leather Christian Louboutin beauties as she paced the width of Willa’s desk. “Stop, all right? I’m not dumb.”
    â€œAgreed,” Willa said emphatically, consulting her tablet. “You’re a crack shot. You’ve incapacitated attackers twice your size without the benefit of a weapon. You can solve a Rubik’s cube with your breath held.”
    â€œI’m sorry, I thought my questionnaire answers were privileged info.”
    â€œAnd they are. You shared these facts on your welcome survey.”
    â€œOh.” A shrug. “About the Rubik’s cube. That’s more of a party trick. Gets a few laughs. My personal best is under three minutes, but I’m not trying to break world records.”
    â€œIt still speaks to remarkable cleverness. Also damn impressive bravado.”
    â€œPoint is?”
    â€œThose answers were in response to ‘What do you value most about yourself?’”
    â€œOkay, so? I answered on a whim. Didn’t realize I’d be judged on it.”
    â€œI’m not judging—”
    Joey cut her off. “You are. Looking at me now and skimming a welcome survey, you think you have a handle on me. You see somebody dysfunctional, somebody unmatchable.”
    â€œThose are neither my words nor my thoughts, Josephine. Take a seat, please.”
    â€œI have to go to work—” she jerked up her wrist for a glance at her watch. 8:06 “—within the hour.”
    â€œThen I’ll be brief.” Willa gestured to the sofa, and when