She frowned. “I think more like this? I’ve never bonded with a person. But we do need to bond. So, I guess lots of hanging out.” She scrunched up her face. “Hope you didn’t want much of a social life, because between our two work schedules…”

I drank some of my beer, thinking. “Staying busy will probably be a good thing.” I set my half-empty bottle on the table. “We’ll also need to find a counselor and fit that in.”

Lou grimaced. “Yeah, about that.”

Juliet stared at Lou wide-eyed, her hand paused midswipe as she wiped down the bar top. “You know this is sketchy as hell, right?” She shook her head, leaving the rag so she could take a drink order from one of the waiters. She turned, plucking several bottles off the shelves behind her. “There’s no way the Tribunal will sign off on it. I’m your roommate!”

“Your apartment has its own address,” I pointed out. “So technically, you’re our neighbor.”

Juliet laughed as she started assembling a cocktail.

“It’s not perfect,” Lou admitted. “But I talked about it with Declan—he’d rather talk to someone he trusts. Couldn’t you set it up so it’s through your mentor? Have her oversee it or something?’

Juliet finished up the cocktails just as the waiter returned, whisking them away on her tray. She went back to wiping down the counter with efficient movements. “I do have to do two to three thousand hours of supervised work in my field. Which means yes, if I did work with you, everything will be overseen by my mentor.” Juliet filled up two pint glasses with water and set them in front of us. “If you’re really set on this, I can talk to her.”

“Please. I know you, which will make it a little easier for me.” I was comfortable with Juliet, and I didn’t feel like plunking down with a random counselor. I spun my coaster, watching it fall on the bar top. “Do you think the tribunal would make a big fuss over it? You knowing me? Conflict of interest or something?”

Juliet held a finger up, telling us to wait as she poured shots for one guy and a glass of red wine for another. “I don’t know, honestly. The ethics…aren’t great, and I lack experience. But if that’s what you want, I can talk to Dr. Kobayashi-Jones, my mentor. We could write something up and send it to the Tribunal to make sure they give it their stamp of approval.” She canted her head to the side, thinking. “I don’t think they’d let me counsel you alone. But I could be there, maybe? Work alongside her? That way you would feel comfortable because you know me, but you’d also get a really solid support from someone you know for certain won’t take sides or cause any tension between all of us.”

She propped her elbows on the bar. “I want you to think about it. I want what’s best for both of you, not just what makes you comfortable. Understand?” We both nodded, and she went on. “I’ll talk to my mentor and we’ll put together a plan for you. We’ll present it and you’ll meet her. If you’re okay with it, then we’ll proceed. If not? No problem. I’ll happily help you find another transitional therapist. Deal?”