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“Oh! That explains it.” Her face was pinked with pleasure. “Mr. Fantana, congratulations. Truly. That’s wonderful to hear. Your color has improved drastically. Blood sugar. Potassium. Iron. Magnesium. Superb.”

The doctor’s praise filled him with pride. Tyler smiled, thinking of his early morning runs with Josh, the trips and jokes and everything else that had turned his life around so much the past few weeks. “Some easy hikes with a friend. Even strength training a couple times a week. Nothing extreme, but still… I sort of got my blood flowing again.”

“Ah. It’s definitely flowing.” Dr. Reynolds nodded. “You look so much more grounded than you did during our last visit.”

“Feels good,” Tyler agreed with a tickle of pride.

She made some notes and then glanced over his charts again. “Marvelous news on all fronts, it seems. And therapy? How have you been feeling since our last visit? Do I even need to ask?”

“Much better, actually,” Tyler said. “Therapy has been good. I’ve been three-three-threeing like there’s no mañana. I’m watching what I eat. I’m learning to cook, even, with a friend.” He stopped himself before Josh’s name came up. Last thing he needed to tell his cardiologist.

“You’ve clearly been taking better care of yourself.”

“Couple gallons of water every day. Bananas. Kale.” Tyler nodded, thinking of Josh pushing him on their runs, believing in him when Tyler didn’t believe in himself. “I’ve had help. A friend has really been there for me through all of this.”

Dr. Reynolds fixed Tyler with a knowing look. “A new relationship?”

“No, actually. An old friend from my high school.” Caught off guard, Tyler had reddened. He pictured Josh’s warm eyes and easy grin but blinked the thought away.

“I assume they get some credit for this remarkable turnaround?”

“Sure. Yes. Josh.” He hadn’t considered how he was supposed to discuss Josh with anyone else.

She raised her eyebrows with a gentle smile of interest. “Someone back home?”

“Exactly. From Hamilton. A coach who still lives there.” He knew she’d assume he meant some old man who’d coached him fifteen years ago, but no harm done. “Really gifted sports medicine guy, as it happens.”

“You mean your coach still works there? What a blessing.” Dr. Reynolds hesitated, squinting. “But nobody else? I could’ve sworn you had that glow about you. Someone special.”

Tyler’s chest tightened, and he swallowed hard. His mind raced. He was wary of saying more than he meant to, so he froze and fibbed. “Josh has been training me, keeping me motivated. Good guy.”

“Great coaches can be life-changing.” Dr. Reynolds patted his knee. “And you seem so… grounded today. I’m thrilled by your progress.”

Though he dodged her questions, she’d noticed plenty. “Thanks, Doc,” he mumbled, still evasive. “I appreciate that.”

Her voice softened, as though she sensed his reluctance. “I only ask because I care about your well-being. Helping you heal is a wonderful thing. Your coach must care a lot about you.”

He felt crappy not giving Josh full credit, but he still wasn’t sure what Josh wanted. Saying something out loud would make it real, and that was a risk he wasn’t ready to take, not with reporters hovering in the lobby. He forced a casual laugh, shrugging his broad shoulders. “Just been focusing on my health, Doc. That’s all.”

“Well, whatever you’re doing, keep it up. And don’t worry about any reporters outside. My staff can make sure you leave without issue. If you’ll wait here, I’ll have someone escort you out.”

“No, Doc. I’m fine now. I’m just out of practice running offense.”

As she left the room, Tyler couldn’t suppress a grin. He felt lighter, stronger, and more alive than he had in months, and he knew exactly whom to thank for it.

He headed down the hall and discovered Cilla and crew had been booted.

“She’s toast.” Standing at the reception desk, the male nurse gave him a nod. “Escorted off the property. We called her station manager for good measure. She’s a nut. Mark my words, she’s got a wall covered with your stats and old socks.”

“Thanks, man.” Tyler extended a hand to him.

The nurse shook it firmly with a big grin and ran a hand over his bald scalp. “Thank you. I’m such a big fan, Mr. Fantana.”

Tyler left Dr. Reynolds’s office. Did his growing fondness for Josh really show that plainly? The thought made Tyler blush. He wasn’t ready to define whatever existed between them, even to himself.

He hated lying, but it also felt wrong to say something to his cardiologist before he worked up the nerve to see if Josh was interested. Whatever he felt, Josh deserved to hear it first.

Still, the doctor’s intuition rang true. Josh had changed everything for Tyler. His encouragement and caring had pulled Tyler from his self-pitying haze, kicked his ass, and steered him right. With Josh, the world seemed full of opportunity, not obstacles. Tyler felt stronger, mentally and physically, than he had in years.