Bellissimo Rilascio (Beautiful Release): The Family Series #3 by Leigh Ann Lunsford Page A

allowed to stop for a coffee?”
     
    “Just don’t bring back that pumpkin shit . . . I want to hurl every time I smell it.”
     
    “You pregnant again?”
     
    “NO! Pumpkin flavored shit is just foul.”
     
    “Mommy, you said shit.” My cheeks hurt from holding in my laughter. “I tell Daddy, and he make you put a quarter in my piggy bank.”
     
    “I’m sorry, baby. I’ll put a dollar in if you don’t tell Daddy.” I lose the battle, and laughter spills from my mouth. “Seriously Bianca, at this rate he will have college paid for before kindergarten.”
     
    “Do you pay him a dollar each time you cuss?”
     
    “Yes, because if Bronson knew I slipped up, he’d never let me hear the end of it. And my words are shit or damn, not fuck or fuck.”
     
    “Mommy . . .”
     
    She quickly cuts him off, “Ten dollars and an ice cream.”
     
    “Stellar parenting. Now what can I blackmail you with?” I squint my eyes at her to study her reaction.
     
    “I swear, Binks, it’s your fault we had to start the deposit system in his piggy bank. You filled up two vases on your own.”
     
    “I’ll file this evidence for a later date. Want anything on my way back?”
     
    “If you stop at Starbucks, I’ll take a graham latte.”
     
    “Now that’s revolting.” She takes a quick look over her shoulder before flipping me off when she sees Angelo is engrossed in cartoons. “Lock up when you leave, and if you want a night out, I’ll keep him tonight.”
     
    “Really?”
     
    “Yes, you can wine and dine my brother. If you’re lucky you can end with sixty-nine.”
     
    “I’ve missed you.”
     
    “I’ve missed me. I’m getting my legs underneath me, and it feels fucking great.”
     
    “Aunt Binks, you said a word.”
     
    “Yep, Aunt Binks should probably just write you a check at the end of each month, I don’t carry that much cash on me.”
     
    I walk out of my apartment feeling like I was just released from prison. Dramatic analogy maybe, but my family has taken their role as my handler seriously. I make the short drive to Dr. Adams’ office blaring ‘Secondhand Smoke’ by Kelsea Ballerini. Lynsey left her CD at my apartment last time she was here, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I take my seat in the reception area and wait for him to call me back.
     
    “Bianca, you ready?”
     
    “What’s up, Doc?”
     
    “Are you going to ask me that every appointment?”
     
    “Are you always going to avoid answering?”
     
    “When I start paying for your services, you can ask the questions.”
     
    “Whoa, I’m not that type of girl.” I wink at him when I see his cheeks redden. He just shakes his head and mumbles under his breath. “Am I still your favorite patient?”
     
    “I don’t have favorites.”
     
    “Lie to me all you want, just not to yourself. Denial is the first step to delusion. Then you wind up on some couch spilling your guts and paying by the hour for advice.”
     
    “If this a shell of your former self, I’m going to have to say I’m terrified to see you in full force.”
     
    “Fear has no place in life, you should see a colleague about that issue.”
     
    “Okay, I see you have jokes today. Let’s get started.”
     
    “Sure thing. First, one more question.”
     
    “How can I say no?”
     
    “It’s real easy. They taught us in high school. No means no.” I see he is about to shut down my smart-ass remarks, so I hurry. “Are you single?”
     
    “Bianca, that is highly inappropriate. I don’t get involved with my patients.”
     
    “Uh, I think you’re already at the delusional stage. No offense, Doc, but you aren’t my type. You have your shit together; that’s so not my style. And you’re a tad stuffy for me.” I was honestly thinking he’s perfect for Lynsey. His wire-rim glasses give just a hint of nerdy, and the way his hair is disheveled reminds me of frazzled Lyns.
     
    “No, Bianca. I have a girlfriend.” He pauses, looking