“I shared this with your dad the first time I met him, and I’ll share it with you. See these big muscles in your arm?” he asked, pointing out the muscles in his own arm.
More nodding.
“A lot of times if you can release the bigger muscles, it releases the pressure on the joint. So, if you’re using good posture all day long and you still get a little sore, that’s okay. Massage these big muscles like this,” he said, demonstrating the move with efficient strokes, “and most of the time it will reduce the pressure enough that you might not even need a pain reliever.”
Thank you, Reed signed.
You’re welcome, Sky signed back.
You know sign language?
A little. Dad say you use it. I learn few words.“Just in case,” Skylar supplemented his rudimentary signs.
Reed flushed and held his hand out for his iPad. I returned it to him and he typed out a message. “I’m going inside now. Do you want me to take out the eggs and bacon, Dad?”
“Sure, son. That’d be great.”
Reed then took off toward the house, turning back to send Skylar a shy wave.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him warm up to someone so quickly,” Sadie said, heading back into the office.
“Me either, Sadie. Give Jaxon a hug for me.”
“Sure will,” she said before shutting the door. “And thank you for the equipment.”
I waited until she’d walked into her office, then turned to Skylar.
“So, the only reason you came out here was to tell me the good news?” I asked, stepping toward him.
He shifted on his feet before meeting my eyes.
“I got the car magnet in this morning and I couldn’t wait,” he admitted, his grin infectious. “And I wanted to tell you in person because I’m so thankful. I might’ve eventually gotten to this point, but I definitely would’ve hemmed and hawed on it for a few months without you encouraging me to get a move on. I’m still figuring out if it makes sense to work with insurance, or just do some sort of sliding scale, but something tells me it’s better to jump in and learn to swim, I guess.”
His cheeks flushed, like he was both proud of his choices and worried they’d be all wrong.
“I’m a big believer in the power of starting,” I said, pulling him into another hug. “I’m real proud of you. Text me when you’re finished with your first client and let me know how it went.”
“Will do.”
He held onto the hug for a few more seconds, then brushed a kiss against my cheek.
“See you in a couple of weeks,” he said, his voice a little breathy. “Wish me luck on my first client.”
“Good luck,” I said, forcing myself to step back. “And we don’t hafta wait that long to see each other. You’re always welcome to drop by.”
His chest rose as he sent me a tentative smile. Sending me a small wave, he got back into his pretty blue car and headed out.
I didn’t know what he was doing to me, but I hoped I didn’t burn breakfast.
10
SKYLAR
As I droveoff toward my first appointment, I pulled up Rowdy on my Bluetooth.
“Hey bitch,” he said, cheerful as always.
“You got a minute to talk?”
