I nod, blowing a puff of air past my lips. “Ijust can’t believe he had anything nice to say at all. And I definitely can’t believe he said he loves me.”
Nash glances my way, thoughts ticking away behind his eyes. “Those words can be hard to say for some people.”
There’s something in his voice. Something raw. Torn. Like frayed edges.
I frown, pressing my lips together as I nod. “I know.”
And suddenly it feels like maybe we aren’t just talking about my dad anymore and I don’t know what to do with that, so I hurry on before I can think too much about it. “You’d think it’d be easier though, from father to daughter…”
“We’re all just people, Lucy. Broken. All of us. Doing the best we can with what we’ve got. We screw each other up even when we don’t mean to.” He lets out a slow breath, eyes still on the road. “Doesn’t mean you have to abandon boundaries. You’re allowed to draw a line. But forgiveness isn’t just for the person you’re forgiving. It’s for you too. Bitterness will turn you into someone you had no intention of being.”
Once again, something in his voice says we’re not just talking about my dad anymore. I thread my fingers through his. He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing each of my knuckles.
I should be nervous, considering where we’re going and who we’re going with.
I’m not.
Not with Nash by my side.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Nash
Lucy didn’t tell her parents she was living with me. And on the one hand, given everything she’s said about them, I get it.
On the other?
I don’t like being kept a secret. I’ve brought her to family dinner and she hasn’t even told them my name. Something about that sits a little funny on my heart.
But I brush it under the rug because clearly, Lucy’s relationship with her parents is complicated. It’s also not about me. And I know how much the distance between them bothers her. So, I play mediator over ice cream, quietly listening as her mom gives overly positive remarks to balance her husband’s surliness, only intervening now and again to steer the conversation away from potential disasters.
Lucy’s demeanor changes. A little less like the woman I know, bright and warm and real, a little more like her mom. Smile wide and painted on. Too animated. Everything gets spun into a positive.
The ankle injury? Actually the best thing that ever happened to her because I’m the best physical therapist ever, who rehabbed her into the best shape she’s ever been in. Her roommate in Los Angeles? Not a backstabbing, role stealing witch. Lucy describes her as a force to be reckoned with, someone who kept her on her toes and pushed her to be her absolute best. Their apartment was wonderful. The two jobs she worked? So much fun. Her financial situation? Nothing to worry about.
I watch this mask go on and my heart aches for her because I know all she wants to hear is that they’re proud of her. That they see how hard she’s worked and they respect what she’s done. She’s tapdancing around reality and I don’t even think she knows she’s doing it.
For her parents’ part, Lucy’s mom exaggerates surprise and wonder over everything Lucy says while her dad asks pointed questions, subtly undermining her accomplishments. I stand up for her every now and then, hold her hand the entire time.
“So, you’re a physical therapist?” Russ asks.
“Doctor,” I correct. “Emergency medicine.”
His brows furrow and his eyes darken. “But I thought you were rehabbing Lucy’s ankle.”
“That’s what makes him so amazing,” Lucy coos. “Listen to this story. Nash was my doctor the night I wentto the ER, and, get this. You’ll never believe it. Do you remember Bennett? Kincaid? From middle school?”
Mom bobs her head. “He was always such a sweet boy. At one point, I thought you two might start dating when you got older.”
“Well, Nash is Bennett’s older brother.” Lucy slaps the table with her jaw dropped and an exaggerated smile. “Can you believe the coincidence? Anyway, Bennett knocked me over a couple days after the accident and took me to Nash to make sure he didn’t hurt my ankle more. It came out that I lost my insurance and wasn’t going to be able to afford physical therapy, so Nash, being the amazing guy he is, offered to cash in a favor with a friend whoisa physical therapist and have him put together a program for me. Then, when things got complicated with his schedule at the hospital and me not being able to drive without asking Stella for help, Nash offered me his spare room so he could help me get back on my feet.”
Hearing the story told like that, it is quite clear why Bennett has been teasing me about Lucy from the start. The look on her parents’ faces agrees. What kind of man goes out of his way for a patient like I have for Lucy? A smitten man, that’s who. A man who knew exactly what he was doing, even if he didn’t admit it to himself.
“That’s incredibly kind of him.” Lucy’s mother turns to her husband who looks less convinced about my kindness than his wife and daughter.
Oblivious, Lucy beams at me. “Nash has been my guardian angel from the start.”
“How long until you’re back on your feet?” Russ asks, like there’s only one right answer and he already knows what it is. “You’re out of the boot and the crutches are gone. You seem to be walking just fine. You’ll probably be going back to Los Angeles soon.”
