By the time I finish, Avery's eyes are so wide, they look like they’ll pop out of their sockets. “Holy shit, Nat.”
“I know,” I say miserably.
“I mean,holy shit.”
“I know.”
She's quiet for a moment, processing. Then she leans forward. “Okay. So you made out with your incredibly hot patient. It's not the end of the world.”
“It's unprofessional and inappropriate. It's everything I swore I would never do.”
“It's also human.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “You're not a robot. You're a woman who went through a traumatic breakup, moved to a new city, and is now spending every day touching a very attractive man. Things happen.”
“They can't happen again.”
“Why not?”
“Because he's my patient. Avery, I've been in New York for less than two months, and I'm already making the same mistakes I made with Brody.”
Avery frowns. “This is nothing like Brody. Brody was a manipulative asshole who cheated on you. Ethan is a grumpy hockey player who kissed you in a moment of vulnerability. Those are very different things.”
“It doesn't matter. I'm not ready for anything. I'm still too wounded from everything that happened.” I push my salad around my plate. “Besides, Ethan hasn't shown any interest since.” Lie, but I’m not going to tell her about him getting hard earlier. I don’t think that’s something Ethan would want people knowing. “We've gone back to being professional. Whatever happened was a one-time thing.”
Avery tilts her head. “You know, that's interesting. Liam says Ethan never shows interest in anyone. When the guys go out, he's the one nursing a single beer while the rest of them flirt with every woman in sight. He's turned down more puck bunnies than anyone on the team.”
All air leaves my lungs. The image I had of hockey players, the partying and the groupies and the revolving door of women, doesn't fit with the man I've been working with.
“Maybe he's just private,” I say.
“Maybe.” Avery shrugs. “Or maybe he was waiting for someone worth being interested in.”
My stomach flutters, and I take a long sip of wine to hide my reaction. The thought that Ethan Ward, who could have any woman he wanted, chose to kiss me in that locker room suddenly carries a different meaning.
“He kissed you, Nat,” Avery says. “A man who never looks twice at anyone else kissed you.”
My heart pounds against my ribs. I want to dismiss it. I want to say it was just a moment of weakness, that he would have kissed anyone. But I can't make myself believe that anymore
I force a smile. “Can we please talk about something else? How is work?”
“Quiet. Most of the players are still on vacation, so I'm just doing background stuff. Social media planning, off-season press releases, that sort of thing.” She waves her hand dismissively. “Nothing exciting. Tell me about you. Have you made any friends besides the WAG crew?”
“Actually, yes. There's a woman named Ivory Brock who works as a physical therapist for the rest of the team. She's really nice and easy to talk to.”
“I’ve met her a couple of times,” Avery says. “You should bring her next time we all go out.”
“I will,” I say, feeling guilty because I already invited her without asking first.
“The more the merrier.” Avery grins. “Speaking of going out, what are you wearing to the party after the Skills Showcase?”
I groan. “I haven't even thought about it.”
“That’s unacceptable. We're going shopping this weekend. I saw this boutique in SoHo that has the most gorgeous dresses. You need something that makes you look like the confident, successful woman you are.”
“I don't need a new dress.”
“Everyone needs a new dress. It's good for the soul.” She pulls out her phone and starts typing. “Saturday. Noon. I'm picking you up, and we're not leaving until you find something perfect.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you're very bossy?”
