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“How long will it be until I’m no longer your patient?”
When she laughs, it seems like the air around her glows. “It depends on how strictly you follow your exercises.”
Chapter Six
Victoria
Five Weeks Later
It’s been more than a month since I made that impromptu visit to Ethan’s house, and he hasn’t missed a single appointment. In fact, he’s been early to all of his appointments—not only that, but he’s been incredibly focused during our sessions. It’s clear that he’s been doing the at-home exercises as well. His progress shows it.
“Full mobility,” I say, my heart skipping a beat. Ethan has just showed up for this week’s appointment, and we’re in the exercise room; we currently have the place to ourselves. I help him pull his arm up, and then back down again, and I don’t notice any tension in his muscles. “Any pain or soreness?”
“Nope,” he says. “None.”
To prove it, he stands up and starts rotating his arm freely.
“Good as new,” he says, an easygoing smile on his face. It’s amazing how different he is now compared to how he was the first time I met him. I guess this side of him was there all along. Not that he’scompletelychanged—no, he’s still a no-nonsense kind of guy, a stoic perfectionist. But there’s a warmth to him now that, frankly, makesmefeel all warm and tingly whenever I’m around him.
“Well, Ethan,” I say. “I think it’s safe to say that this is going to be our last appointment. In fact, we really don’t even need to keep today’s appointment.”
“That mean I can finally take you out on that date instead?”
I smile. “I still have other appointments today.”
“Call ’em. Reschedule.”
I give him a look, biting back my smile.
He lets out a lighthearted grumble. “All right. Fine. We’ll wait until tonight.”
My heart does a little somersault. Even though we’ve kind of already had one date—in hindsight, that evening at his house sure felt like a date—I know that tonight is going to be different.
Ethan tells me he’ll pick me up at my place at seven. I tell him that sounds good and walk him to the front door of the clinic. When I turn from watching him go, I’m met with a knowing grin from Rhonda.
“He asked you out, didn’t he?” she says.
I hadn’t mentioned anything to Rhonda, but I’m not surprised that she’s picked up on it. I’m sure my face has lit up every time Ethan has come into the clinic. “He did.”
“Well?” Rhonda asks, resting her chin on her hands. “Where’s he taking you?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Ooh.Romantic. You know, my husband took me on a surprise date the first time we went out, too. And look how well it turned out for us.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. But something flutters in my chest when Rhonda says that. I know tonight is my first official date with Ethan and I’m getting way ahead of myself, but it’s hard to not think about the fact that he would be an incredible husband.
Like clockwork,he pulls up in front of my apartment building at seven o’clock that evening. I take another quick look in the mirror, give myself an encouraging nod, and then I head out to meet him. When I step out of the building, I see Ethan standing by his truck.
“Jesus, you look…” He rubs a hand across his chin and exhales a quick breath. “Incredible.”
I’m wearing a black dress that’s not too casual but not too dressy—I figured it was a good choice since I have no idea where Ethan is taking me tonight. I haven’t worn this dress very often because it tends to make me feel a little self-conscious; the fabric clings to my hips and the hem hits just above mid-thigh, and I’m not exactly slender. But tonight, wearing it for Ethan, I don’t feel the least bit self-conscious.
Especially with the way he’s looking at me right now.
“Thanks,” I say, warmth blooming in my cheeks. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Ethan’s white button-up hugs his torso almost too perfectly, and the slacks he has on are…well, they make him even sexier than he already is. He opens the passenger door for me and holds a hand protectively behind me as I climb in.
