Chapter 2 Darnell and Alicia

9:00 am

I open the door of my office and hold it open for Darnell and Alicia. They make their way over to the couch as I walk around to my desk and pull out my recorder, pen, and pad.

"Welcome back. How are you guys doing today?" I ask.

"Hey, Doc," Darnell responds, looking a little weary.

"Hi, Doctor Petersen," Alicia responds.

"So, let's get started. Who wants to go first?" I ask.

Darnell clears his throat and says, "Ladies first."

Alicia begins. "Me and Darnell have been married for a year, and things were good at first. We did lots of things together, like taking trips, going out to dinner, and lying in bed all day just talking." Alicia hesitates for a moment, looks down at her hands, and continues. "Ever since I found out about his baby mama, Denice, and daughter, Kenya, it's been different. I know that he was with her before me, but I just feel betrayed because he didn't tell me about them until we got married! Why the secret? Is he still messing around with her or what? I just feel like I can't trust him. Not to mention, Denice hates me and thinks that I took him from her! She won't let him see Kenya because she doesn't want her to be around me. It's really ruining the romance of our relationship, Doctor Petersen," Alicia says sadly.

"Ok, Darnell. What do you want to say about what Alicia just confessed to you?" I ask.

"She's just overthinking everything, Doc," Darnell says. "It's not as bad as she's making it seem, and Denice is starting to warm up when it comes to Alicia," he counters.

"So, you and Denice talk?" I ask.

"Yes, when I go over there to spend time with Kenya," Darnell says.

"He never brings Kenya to our house. He just goes over there for hours and won't answer his phone when I call," cries Alicia.

Darnell just shakes his head with a defeated expression on his face.

"It's a delicate situation. I don't want Denice to not let me see my daughter like she did after we got married," Darnell says.

"Time is about up," I announce. "I'll stop here and end it on this... How about incorporating Alicia into these visits, so the both of you interact with Kenya? Once Denice see's that Kenya can be safe with Alicia, things may dramatically start to change for the better," I suggest.

They both seemed to agree as I walk them to the door. After jotting down some notes on their case, I was done for the day.

I decided to go get some lunch in the shopping center on the corner at the new crab place called Crackin' Crab. I've been dying to try it all week since they opened. Opting to walk the short distance to the restaurant instead of driving my car, I set out down the street. After taking my seat, I take out my phone, turning it back on to check my messages. There were two messages from my best friend, Veronica, one from my sister, Kara, and a voicemail from Jaxon. Looking up, I notice this very handsome, milk chocolate, Hershey Kiss of a man.

He too was preoccupied with his phone, giving me time to check him out without him noticing. He was approximately six feet one with light brown eyes and the whitest teeth I have ever seen in my life! He was very muscular with deep waves in his hair. Oh my God, this man was beautiful. I guess he felt me staring at him because he looks directly at me. I smile awkwardly at him, and he smiles back. He even has dimples in his cheeks. Everyone who knows me knows dimples and a set of pearly whites will get me every time.

Damn, this man had me hot, and I didn't even know his name. Fanning myself with the menu as my waiter comes over to take my order, I realize that I haven't even looked at the menu yet. Shaking my head as I try to focus on what I wanted to order, I settle for the fettuccine jambalaya, the king crab, and some corn on the cob, with a Mountain Dew to go. I wasn't about to sit here and have this handsome man watch me devour this food. I did not play when it came to food. I just love it.

I decide to call Kara while I wait for my order.

"Hello," Kara answers groggily.

This girl is not a morning person, I think to myself.

"What you doing?" I ask.

"Nothing. Watching TV. You had clients today?" Kara asks.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I figured, when you didn't answer your phone," she states.

"That's why I'm calling back now, suga," I say, rolling my eyes.

"What you doing right now? Wanna grab some lunch? I'm starving," she inquires.

"I'm already getting lunch, but I guess I can share with you."

"Great! Come to my house then."