Page 130 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

She smiles gently. "That's what I thought."

***

Maybe that's why my shoulder suddenly feels heavier than it did twenty minutes ago, not because the muscles are tired. Because the weight isn't in my shoulder. It's everywhere else.

Annette stands. "Come with me."

"Where?"

She smiles. "Outside."

I look toward the therapy equipment. "Aren't we behind schedule?"

"We are."

I can't help smiling. "You really are dangerous."

"So, I've been told."

She picks up her coat from the hook by the door. "Sometimes the best therapy isn't another repetition." She looks back at me. "Sometimes it's remembering how to breathe."

For a second, I simply look at her.

Then I stand. "Lead the way."

***

Annette steps alongside me as we leave the therapy room. Her smile is always there—whether the session went well or not.

Somehow, I find myself looking for it now.

We haven't gone far when Frank from Maintenance appears around the corner, pushing a ladder toward the rehabilitation wing.

Frank parks the ladder for a moment.

“Oh—and I wanted to let you know the hydrotherapy pool's finally running properly.”

“Glad to hear it, Frank. Thanks.”

“About time.” He gives us a quick wave and continues down the hallway.

I glance over. Annette is watching me with that thoughtful expression I've started recognizing.

"What?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing."

"It didn't look like nothing." A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. "I was just wondering..."

She hesitates. "...never mind."

I grin. "No, go ahead."

She studies me for another second before giving up with a quiet laugh. "It's nothing."

We continue toward the lobby. I don't press. Some questions are more interesting before they're answered.

And for reasons I can't quite explain...