“Do you know how completely embarrassing it was not only to pee in a cup, but to have to ask a police officer to help pull my pants down to do so?”
Grant tried not to smile. “Yeah?” His eyes twinkled. “Well, that was a one-time deal, Bonnie, unlike the weekly torture you just subjected me to.” He imagined therapy would be like a metaphorical pulling down of his pants, leaving him utterly exposed.
He joked, but she could read the real dread in his eyes. How could a man who so bravely protected them from Carlo feel such intense fear about just talking? She would have to show him the way.
Placing a slender hand on his arm, she confided, “I know you’re not looking forward to counseling, Grant. But let’s face it, we need it. Both our mothers have died, and our relationships with our fathers are hardly healthy.” She gazed at him earnestly, anxiously. “As devoted as we are to each other, there’s a lot that could come between us if we let it.” She didn’t have to mention Logan for both to sense his presence.
Grant sighed loudly and nodded, which encouraged Sophie to continue.
“Besides, I always told myself I was going to have a better marriage than my parents did. To achieve that, I knew I would probably need couples counseling with the man I wanted to marry.”
His eyes lit up, and without a second thought, Grant grabbed her and drew her to him. Their eyes locked for one intense moment before he leaned in to unite his perfect, full lips with hers. Her mind and body raced with exquisite pleasure, and once again, time stood still on the busy city street.
Grant could not get enough of her soft, inviting mouth, and he could focus on only one singular thought: a promise for the future. She said she wanted to marry him!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to …
The team at Omnific Publishing, particularly Jessica Royer Ocken
Aunt Nancy for reading the original manuscript, giving some editing tips, encouraging my writing skills and me as a person
Mom and Dad for being such avid readers and for fostering creativity
My sisters Laurie and Susan for introducing me to the great city of Chicago
My nephews Nick, Dylan, and Henry for teaching me the depth
of Joe’s love for Grant
Pamela for helping me with the plot, namely suggesting that
Uncle Joe live on a naval base
Lorne Griffin for making the banner and tolerating the Muffin torture
Ina for a fellow shrink’s perspective and ardent support
Amy Watson for her ongoing encouragement
Nora for editing the synopsis and medical expertise
Marilyn for her hilarious and thoughtful reviews
Riem Harper for the McSailor marquee, poem, and awesome support
Jaquita Chaquita for her incredible sense of humor
Leah for her listening and editing help
Nix for her legal insights and encouragement
Online friends: Elke, Deb, Danni, Karina, Spunky Ashley, Adriana,
Thania, Sim, Lily, Ginger
Table of Contents
1. Reconvictation
2. Dishonorable Disappointment
3. “If Yes, Please Explain”
4. Solitary
5. The Jacket
6. In Treatment
7. Man Overboard
8. Forty Percent
9. CONvocation
10. The Slippery Slope
11. Taking a Gamble
12. InSPIREd
13. Low Lo
14. Talking in Your Sleep
15. Sexy Vegetables
16. Say Uncle
17. Caretaker
18. Fucking Carrots
19. The Womanly Touch
20. Mideast Feast
21. Fit
22. Naked
23. Cugino Carlo
24. Nemo and Nema
25. Unexpected Gifts
26. Perfect CONnection
27. Imperfect CONnection
28. Fathers
29. You Only Realize What You’ve Got When It’s Gone
30. CONsequence
31. Until Morale Improves
32. Complicated Grief
33. Casting a Pall
34. Family Tree
35. Scar Tissue
36. Restraint
37. Back Inside
38. Uncles
39. Bonnie and Clyde
40. Going Home
41. Con-habitation
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
With Good Behavior [Conduct Series #1] Page 48
