Page 14 of After You Returned

“What happened?”

“He saved her life!” Natalie shouts.

“Good job.” Weston slaps me on the shoulder and pain explodes. “You okay, Miles?”

“My rotator cuff,” I say through gritted teeth.

I don’t need to say more. Everyone on the island knows what happened to me in Hawaii at the pro surfing competition.

“Come on. I’ll drive you to the hospital.”

I want to argue. To tell him I’ll be okay. But I’d be lying.

So much for a beautiful morning.

Chapter 6

I never should have left home today.

Hazel

Ihum as I arrange a fresh sheet on my treatment table. I have a new client coming in today. I don’t know who it is or what injury they have but I don’t care. I’m just thankful for another client.

The bell above the door rings. I check my outfit. No stains. My hair is braided to avoid any entanglements. I’m ready.

I enter the reception area and frown. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought you were expecting me.” Miles grins.

With his tanned skin and blond hair with matching beard, he could be the poster boy for a surfer. Appropriate since the one thing he finds important in life is surfing.

“I’m expecting a new patient. Not an asshole.”

“I am the new patient.” He taps his chest and winces.

“What happened?” He opens his mouth to respond, but I hold up my hand to stop him. “Never mind. I don’t need to know since I won’t be treating you.”

He sighs. “I know you hate me.”

Ugh. I wish his words were true. If I could hate Miles, my life would be much, much easier.

“But I need help.”

“I don’t think me helping you is a good idea.”

I’ll get my hands on him and forget all about what an asshole he is. How the man doesn’t know how to stick. I’ll feel his smooth skin and those strong muscles and lose my mind. It’s happened too many times already. I’m determined it won’t happen again.

“But where else can I go? There aren’t any other physical therapists on the island.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Not true. Hudson has a therapist at the resort.”

TheHideaway Haven Resortis the epitome of luxury. The location is prime – on a pristine beach in an otherwise empty area of the island. The spacious cabin accommodations are high-end with fancy linens, premium entertainment systems, and private hot tubs on the patios.

There’s also an on-site spa and fitness center, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, gourmet dining at the restaurant, and every activity you can imagine, from surfing lessons to parasailing to private beach dinners.

Miles shakes his head. “Hudson couldn’t fill the therapist position.”

My brow wrinkles. “He couldn’t?”