I laugh, but my voice shakes. “To be fair, I’m not sure I could hold anything because I can’t feel my fingers. It was worth it, though.”
“We should get you back to your car so you can get home to your mom’s and warm up.”
He reaches for the panel, but I stop him. “Wait. Let’s stay just a little longer.”
I know that tomorrow, I’ll regret every minute spent in the cold, every second I haven’t rested, despite my body begging me to. I might hate myself in the morning, but tonight I want to enjoy the perfect view with the perfect man because I know moments like this don’t last forever.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he says, peering down at me.
I slide my arms up his chest and around his neck. “Kiss me.”
“Lindsey,sweetie, are you okay? Lucy just called. Lindsey? It’s after eight.”
“What?” I bolt upright, sending a sharp pain through my neck. “No, it can’t be.”
I blink hard, desperate to clear the fog that’s settled around my brain, and snatch my phone off the nightstand. Sure enough, it’s 8:13 a.m., which means I’m late for work.
My mom sits on the edge of the bed, petting Catrick Swayze who hasn’t so much as lifted his head. “Honey, you don’t look like you feel well. Maybe you should reschedule your appointments for the day.”
“I can’t,” I say. “They need me. I’ll be fine. Just tired is all.”
“Your fibromyalgia is flaring up, isn’t it?” she asks as I slide out from under the covers. “You really should take a day to rest. You know your father would want?—”
“Mom, I’m okay. I’ve got everything under control,” I insist, knowing full well I donot.
My mother opens her mouth to protest, but I grab my scrubs and run to the bathroom to change. I brush my teeth just long enough to knock the morning breath off my tongue and swish around some mouthwash while I throw my hair in a haphazard bun.
When I return to my room, my mom is waiting outside the door.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asks as I rush by her to grab my purse, phone, and keys. “You look exhausted. Maybe I could just drop you off at the clinic? I’m on my way into the office now.”
“I’ve got this, Mom.” I pause long enough to peck her on the cheek. “Thank you, though. Love you,” I call as I dash down the stairs and out into the cold.
Thankfully, my drive to work is even shorter from my mom’s house, allowing me to make it there in six minutes.
I burst through the door to find two clients in the lobby and Kayla eyeing me as though a wild animal just strolled in wearing a top hat.
“Sorry I’m late. I got held up this morning.” I turn to address the waiting pet owners in the lobby before I push through the entrance to the back. “I’ll be right with y’all.”
Before the door can close behind me, Kayla’s on my heels.
“Lindsey, how about I reschedule the rest of your day?” she asks, following me into my office.
“No need.” I toss my bag on the desk and grab my lab coat from the back of the chair. “Just let my next one know I’m running a little behind, but I should be able to catch up.”
Kayla body blocks me as I try to leave the room. “Lindsey, you know I love you, right?”
“Yes, but I need to get to work,” I say, attempting to step around her, but she holds out her arm to stop me.
“I don’t think you understand,” she says, lowering her voice. “You look a little like a feral possum fresh out of the dumpster.”
“Lindsey, is that you?” I hear Lucy’s voice before she appears in the doorway. “Are you—” She cuts herself off with a sharp intake of breath. “Oh my God, what happened to you?”
“She gotheld up,” Kayla answers for me.
“At gunpoint? Because I guess that would explain it,” Lucy says. “Seriously, you look like shit.”
“Gee thanks, y’all.” I roll my eyes. “I just overslept and didn’t have time to get ready. It’s not a big deal.”
