“Well, it is. You’re coming into your own. You’re finding your voice in this art that is so powerful, it’s got the whole city’s attention. You’re discovering new things about yourself, making new friends, and entering into a romantic relationship for the first time. You were thrown out of your comfort zone when you came here and guess what, this was probably the best thing that could have ever happened to you.”

“Things with my mom and dad have never been worse, though,” I quickly said. “So how can this move be the best thing?”

“Sometimes things have to hit rock bottom before they get better.”

“I think finding your mom in a hot tub with your school counselor is pretty much rock bloody bottom, not to mention finding out your dad is marrying a woman who could be your sister.”

“Homework.” She stood up and clapped her hands together.

“What about it?” I asked.

“How’s your list?”

“It’s okay, I guess.”

She eyed me suspiciously. I didn’t think my list had been going that well, to be honest. I’d crossed and uncrossed so many things that I no longer knew what was even written there anymore.

“Well, now you have new homework,” she said. “I want you to stand in front of your mirror naked and look at yourself.”

“What?” I almost choked on a fleck of spit as it shot down the back of my throat. “Can’t I just do the list?”

She shook her head. “Start small, in your underwear maybe. And look at yourself. Really look. Look at everything. Get to know it. Maybe you’ll surprise yourself and find something you like?”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then you’re going to learn to like the parts you dislike. Because if you don’t learn to like them and become comfortable with them, no one will be able to put their hands on your waist without you running away.”

I folded my arms and looked at her. “Are you sex therapizing me now?”

She raised her eyebrows at me. “Nothing gets past you, ne.”

I sighed. “I haven’t seen myself naked in . . . a while.”

“Well, I think it’s time to meet that part of yourself again.”

“You know this is completely weird and lame and is probably something that I would find recommended in some hashtag self-help book.”

“Maybe it’s in the self-help books for a reason.”

I rolled my eyes; no way I was doing this week’s homework. I turned when I heard a noise behind us, and that was when I noticed the man in the navy suit. He stood there looking very 007-ish, if I do say so myself. He was hot. Older, but totally hot.