He thought about his answer. In the past, he never would have hesitated, and he would’ve answered with a resounding, hell yeah! But, recently, he started thinking that there was more to life than just football. He wanted what everyone else had. Someone to come home to. Someone to share his life with. A family. He wanted the whole package. Wife, kids, dog, and everything else that went along with it. Including the in-laws.
He realized that he didn’t know anything about Amber’s family and not much at all about her personal life. He wanted to ask her a million questions but didn’t want to press her for information, since they were still in the doctor/patient capacity. That would change, just as soon as he was out of therapy. He had to hang on for a little more than a week, he reminded himself. It would be over before he knew it. Then they could move on to getting to know one another on a personal level.
“Join me in a cup of coffee.” She popped up from her seat and went to the little coffee station set up on the credenza against the wall. There was a Keurig, a few mugs with the practice name and logo, and several glass medical jars filled with different flavor coffee pods. Another jar was filled with raw sugar. Above it all, a display with large, three-dimensional letters hung on the wall and announced, Coffee!, in a whimsical font. Next to the credenza sat a mini refrigerator. “How do you like it?” she asked.
“Regular. Thanks.”
She smiled at him. “That’s so New York.”
“It’s where I grew up.” The comment prompted a question and a chance for dialogue that wouldn’t be out of line to ask. “Are you originally from Jersey?”
“Yes. And no.” She handed him one of the mugs filled with coffee and sat across from him with hers in her hand. “My family moved around a lot before settling down for good in New Jersey.”
“Military family?” he asked, guessing without sounding like he was prying.
“No. They just liked to move. I’m glad they chose Jersey though, because I had my heart set on going to Columbia, and it meant I had the opportunity to stay close to home.”
“I take it you’re close with your family?”
She paused and studied the contents of her coffee cup for a few moments without saying anything, as if she didn’t know how to answer the question. Or like she didn’t want to. “I used to be very close with my parents when I was younger,” she finally said. “Especially my father. But you know how it goes. Things happen.” She let out a deep, cleansing breath. “What about you? Are you close with your parents?”
“Hell yeah.” He didn’t even have to think about it. “My mom’s the typical mother. Always worrying I’ll get hurt, but never discouraged my football career. Quite the opposite actually. She used to come to every single one of my games when she was younger and stood and cheered for me like a maniac.” He laughed at the memory. “It was embarrassing sometimes. And my dad is like one of my best friends. If I’m ever feeling down, I just give him a call. He always makes me feel good about myself.” He was about to add, you know how dads are, but from what she said, her relationship with her father wasn’t the best. He sometimes forgot other people didn’t have the support of their parents the way he did, and that sucked.
“It sounds like you have a healthy relationship with your family. That must be nice.” She took a long sip of coffee, and then redirected their conversation. “I think we’re right on target with your treatment. If all goes as planned, I can sign off on your return to the field in about ten days. Any questions?”
He had a ton of questions and thought now would be a good time to pursue some of them. “Will you come to one of my games when I go back? I’d love to introduce you to the team. I can get you the best seats in the stadium.”
Her lips opened into a smile and her entire face lit up with excitement, then deflated with an exhale. “I would love that, but let’s put a pin in it for now.”
He assumed she didn’t want to make plans while he was still her patient and understood, but it didn’t have to be considered a date. “As my physical therapist,” he clarified. “I could introduce you to the team as the doctor who fixed me up. I’ve already bragged to everyone about the amazing care you’ve given me and your professionalism.” He didn’t tell anyone about her magic hands or the way she smelled like vanilla and light florals. He didn’t mention that she was drop-dead gorgeous and sexy as sin with those black-rimmed glasses.
She nodded her head. “Let’s revisit the invitation at a later time.”
“Wow. You really play hardball.”
“Like I said, we need to keep this professional.” She waggled her finger at him. “But I have to admit, you are a very charming man.” She pushed her chair back and stood up. “That being said, we need to get to work if you’re going to reach your goals.”
He didn’t get up right away, trying to think of something else to talk about to keep them secluded in her office together.
She cocked her head at him, wondering why he was just sitting there. Finally, she asked, “Do I need to get your coach on the line to give you one of his famous tongue lashings?” She scowled and mimicked Coach’s gruff voice and demeanor, including arm gesticulations. “Get moving, Blade! My grandmother moves faster than that!” She let out an unrestrained laugh for a moment before quickly reigning it in.
He was so shocked at her lively impression of Coach that he couldn’t do more than stare at her in wonder.
“I wasn’t lying when I told you I was a huge fan,” she explained. “I’ve been following the Bucks for years. I’ll never forget the way your coach cursed out Martinez for the fumble during the Phantoms game that cost the Bucks the Super Bowl in 2019. I think every sports network played that scene on repeat for a month.”
She wasn’t just a fan. She was a fanatic. And he just fell for her a little harder. He loved this side of her—the funny girl he met in the bar. Her serious façade was crumbling like the Berlin Wall.
They left her office and entered the main room which housed the gym equipment. Robert started today’s session with fifteen minutes on the treadmill. The alone time and personal conversation with Amber had his spirits soaring, and he felt as if he could run a marathon.
“Slow down,” Amber cautioned. “You’re only supposed to be walking. Maybe I should have waited before I gave you that cup of coffee.”
It was the perfect opening to invite her out to share another cup of coffee. My treat, he could say. Since the last one was on you. But he didn’t want to push it. Instead, he nodded and slowed his pace. “Whatever you say. You’re the doctor.”
“Open the wine. Stat.” Amber thrust the bottle into her best friend’s hand, walked into the kitchen, and retrieved two glasses from the cabinet.
“Bad day?” Hope asked, pulling open a drawer and fumbling through dozens of gadgets to find the wine opener.
The girl was a mess, or at least her kitchen drawers were, and it drove Amber nuts. She shook her head to push aside thoughts of Hope’s unruly utensils. She had much more important things to discuss. “Just the opposite.” Amber set the glasses down on the dinette. “Hurry up and pour because you’re not going to believe what the hottie did today.”
