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She nodded, her ponytail bobbing behind her. “Sure. Luke.”
Oh, hell yeah. He definitely liked that.
And then he realized that he still had her hand. Giving him a slightly puzzled look, she took a step back. He was staring, probably drooling. She was going to think he was the one who’d hit his head, not Ethan.
Turning her attention to her young patient, she smiled again. “Hi there, Ethan. Can you tell me about how you fell?”
Ethan nodded, his eyes darting between Luke and the doctor. “I was playing with Ben and Michael Hayward and there was a patch of ice, so we decided to see who could slide the farthest. I lost, but only because I wiped out. I mostly landed on my butt, but I hit the back of my head, and Mrs. Hayward brought me here. But I didn’t cry.”
Dr. Harmon nodded seriously, her eyes holding Ethan’s. “You’re a very brave boy, by the sounds of it. I’m going to check you out and make sure you’re okay.” She smiled reassuringly at him and patted his shoulder. Although Luke knew she was just doing her job, the unexpected tenderness of the gesture caught him completely off guard, tugging at something deep in his chest.
As Dr. Harmon examined Ethan, checking his pupils, his reflexes and balance, she also asked him several questions about his favorite movies and TV shows, if he liked sports, and what he was going to ask Santa to bring him for Christmas. She asked a few of the questions twice, and he realized she was testing Ethan’s memory and recall. She smiled wide when Ethan informed her that she’d already asked him which Avenger was his favorite.
“Does he have a concussion?” asked Luke, swallowing around the weird lump in his throat. With a flash of clarity, he realized that it was the sincerity in her interest in Ethan’s answers that was getting to him. It was strange. Lots of people were nice to his son, but there was something about the way she talked to him, the way she tilted her head when she was listening to his answers . . . He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. All he knew was that he liked watching her with his son. He cleared his throat.
She shook her head. “No. He didn’t lose consciousness when he hit his head, and all of his vitals check out nice and normal. He passed my little test with flying colors. Most importantly, he knew how many days until Christmas morning.” She smiled and winked at Ethan, and Luke’s chest tightened ever so slightly. “He’ll likely have a nasty bump, though. You’ll want to put ice on it, and if it’s real sore, you can give him some children’s Advil. If he develops any worrisome symptoms, like vomiting, confusion, dizziness—anything like that—then bring him on back right away. But I think he’ll be fine.” She scribbled a few notes on her clipboard and then clicked her pen.
“Thank you, Dr. Harmon. We really appreciate it.” He nudged Ethan gently.
“Thanks, Dr. Harmon. Did you know that my dad’s single?”
* * *
Huh. Christie Harmon could honestly say that she’d never met a guy worthy of being called a hunk before. But Luke Grayson was definitely a hunk. No other way to describe him. That thick, dark blond hair. Those piercing light blue eyes. That smile, with the dimples and the perfect white teeth. That square chin and granite jaw covered with a few days’ worth of stubble.
Yep. Total hunk.
Real professional, Christie. Down, girl.
“Did you know that my dad’s single?” At Ethan’s question, she found her eyes darting to Luke’s left hand, which, sure enough, was devoid of a wedding ring.
“Ethan.” Luke’s voice was low and full of warning.
“You should ask her out. She’s so pretty and nice. I like her.” Ethan turned his attention to Christie, and it hit her that he was a mini version of Luke. Same blond hair, same blue eyes, same dimpled smile. Ethan leaned toward her and cupped a hand over his mouth. “He’s probably nervous because it’s been a really long time since he went on a date.”
Christie bit back a smile as Luke cringed. “You’re a terrible wingman. Let’s go.” He tipped his head toward her. “Thanks again, Dr. Harmon.”
“It’s Christie.”
Something flared in Luke’s eyes, and he looked at her again. Really looked at her, the way he had when they’d shook hands. The way that made her stomach flip and her heart flutter.
“Thanks, Christie.” The way he said her name sent heat rippling over her skin. She clenched a fist against the urge to fan herself.
“You’re very welcome. Take care, Ethan.” She raised her hand in a wave, tearing her eyes from Luke to smile at her young patient. She stepped to the side to give Luke and Ethan room to pass in the small examination space, but Luke stepped at the same time. Awkwardly, she stepped again, and so did he. It was the dorkiest Texas Two-Step anyone had ever seen.
“Smooth, Dad. Jeez.” Ethan rolled his eyes.
Luke laid one large, wide hand on her shoulder and her arm went boneless at his touch. The pen she’d been clutching in her left hand hit the floor, skittering over the tiles. She racked her brain, trying to think of something, anything to say, but she came up empty. Relishing the excuse to literally duck out of the interaction and get out of their way, she bent to retrieve her pen. Unfortunately, Luke picked that exact moment to do the same, and their foreheads crashed together.
“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” he asked, rubbing his own forehead and extending a hand toward her.
She nodded weakly, more embarrassed than hurt. “Yeah. I just wanted to make sure y’all had matching lumps.” He stared at her blankly for a second, and she felt even more blood rush to her cheeks. “Sorry. That was a joke.”
A smile spread across his face. “I know. It was cute.”
Oh, dear Lord. Based on the heat coming off her face, she probably looked like a damn strawberry.
“You sure you’re okay?” His eyes searched hers, and she nodded again.
