Page 116 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I pretend to study the chart a little longer. "Hmm."

He narrows his eyes. "You're enjoying this."

"A little."

"Annette."

I finally look up. "You gained another eight degrees."

His eyebrows rise. "Really?"

I lean against the counter. "Do you know what I see?"

"What?"

"A man who hasn't stopped moving since he walked through these doors."

He smiles. "I thought that was the objective."

"It is. "But sometimes..."

I pause, choosing the words carefully.

"...it's okay to stand still long enough to notice how far you've already come."

The room grows quiet. Not awkward. Thoughtful.

Jamie glances toward the wall where colored tape marks every milestone we've celebrated together.

He hadn't looked at them in weeks. Now he does. "I guess..." He smiles to himself. "...that's farther than I thought."

"It is."

He lets out a slow breath. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making me stop long enough to see it."

Something warms quietly inside my chest. Not because of the words. Because he means them.

Before I can answer, Elise walks past the treatment area, glances at Jamie's chart, and whistles softly. "Another eight degrees?"

Jamie nods. "Apparently."

She grins. "I knew you'd get there."

Jamie smiles. "I wasn't always so sure." Elise points toward me. "She was."

I look over in surprise. "I don't think I ever said that."

"You didn't have to."

Elise continues down the hallway before either of us can respond.

Silence settles again. Jamie looks at me. "Were you?"

I don't hesitate. "Yes."