“Are you coming?”
The deep richness in his voice felt as if it reached down into my belly and warmed me from the inside out.
“No.” I cleared my throat and shook my head. “The recovery is for you. I don’t need to be there. Make sure you do the full hour,” I said before taking a step back and picking up the yoga blocks and mat to return them to their rightful place.
I kept my focus on the gym equipment even as I heard Luke’s footsteps exiting the gym. Not until the click of the door closing, signaling his exit did I let out an exhale.
“What the heck am I going to do now?” I murmured while heading back to my own room.
***
“Do you enjoy working at the hospital?” I questioned Grace as we strolled down the sidewalk of the outside mall, close to the center of Williamsport’s downtown area.
“I love it. I’m going to miss it once I start at our practice full-time.”
“Yeah, I bet, but it’s so exciting for both of you.”
Grace looked over at me, a nervous smile on her lips. “It is but scary at the same time. I mean, I’ve barely started my nurse anesthetist program and that’ll take at least eighteen months to complete, if I’m lucky. Add helping to get the practice up and running, and still being a newlywed…it’s a lot on my plate but I can’t wait.”
I smiled. Grace and Jacob’s official opening party was the following evening. Her family would be arriving in Williamsport in a few hours.
Wordlessly, I nodded my head in the direction of a little ice cream stand that was open. “I’ve got a taste for some cookies and cream,” I commented.
“They’ve got the best ice cream. Chocolate chip cookie dough is my favorite,” Grace added as we got in line.
“Have you turned in your resignation at the hospital yet?”
“For now, I’m going to be doing some per diem hours there. We hired a nurse anesthetist for the practice until I’m licensed. She’ll be working with Jacob when he operates for the next year or so and I’ll assist.” She laughed. “Sounds crazy, right? Two jobs and going to school?”
I shrugged. “I’ve heard crazier.”
A look of excitement crossed Grace’s face.
“If you have any questions on running a business, feel free to ask,” I offered.
“Remind me of what your business is again?”
“It’s called ParaSquad.” I quickly explained the business to Grace as we ordered and then received our cups of ice cream, before continuing our perusal of the outdoor mall.
“Then you work in healthcare yourself.”
I nodded.
“And you’re a trainer for mixed martial arts athletes?”
“Just Luke so far. He’s my first client, actually.”
Her eyebrows lifted as she gave me a surprised look. “What made you go into training athletes? Don’t you need a degree for that?”
Shrugging, I said, “I’ve been doing some sort of martial art since I was a little girl. I’ve always enjoyed the art of fighting. The strategy behind it all. My mother hated it, but I watched any and every boxing match, wrestling or MMA bout if it was on the television.
“In college and grad school, while working as a paramedic, I also took classes in kinesiology, physical therapy, and nutrition.”
“That’s an interesting mix,” Grace commented.
I nodded, agreeing. “I was never certain of exactly what I wanted to do with all the information I learned but still wanted to utilize it in some way. Through ParaSquad, I’m able to fulfill my passion to help others, and training allows me to utilize passion for fighting and the knowledge I’ve acquired.”
Grace nodded. “It’s interesting how you were able to weave together your different interests like that.”
