Memphis resisted the chuckle that snuck up his throat as he climbed out to help him just the same. “More like…I want to test out your theory. I’ve been waiting all week for this chance to talk to her.” He met Maverick at the other side of the cart and offered his arm.
Maverick swatted it away. “I can walk in there myself. I’m tossing my walker this weekend anyway. I’m done with it.”
“Ah, so itisa walker,” Memphis razzed.
Maverick rolled his eyes. “It is now that I’m done with it.”
Freed from the obligation of assisting Maverick inside, Memphis strode ahead of his brother and pulled open the door.
“I don’t need you to get the door for me either,” Maverick hollered.
“Good.” Memphis stepped inside and let the door close behind him. He glanced down at the nameplate resting on the front desk before lifting his gaze to the woman standing there.
“Hi there, Jackie,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Memphis Duran. Mind if I speak with Ty before her next appointment?”
Jackie gave him a soft smile. “Sure, it’s nice to meet you. I think you’re the only one I haven’t met yet.”
Memphis nodded. And boy, did he know it.
“Wait,” Jackie said. “I thought youwereTy’s next appointment.”
“We made a change,” came Ty from down the hall.
Memphis shifted in time to catch Ty’s gaze as she entered the lobby.
“Hi,” she said. “Did Andie get hold of you?”
He nodded, wondering what excuse she planned to use with him. “Yes, I just...” He threw a thumb over his shoulder as the door jingled. “I brought Maverick.”
Ty’s brows lifted as she looked from one brother to the next. “Oh, good. Okay.”
“And,” Memphis added. “I hoped I could join you during your lunch hour. Grab a few sandwiches. Maybe walk around the grounds for a bit?”
The smile that pulled at her lips caused her dimple to show. “I’d love that.”
“No, no,” whined Maverick as the door swung open. He made a spectacle of hobbling inside, nearly knocking a nearby plant off its stand. “No need to help me. I’ve got it.”
Memphis moved his gaze back to Ty. “Okay. I’ll be back here in about an hour.”
Ty smiled again. “See you then.”
Memphis made the most of the next hour, hurrying over to the kitchen and packing sack lunches for him and Ty. He hoped to take Ty and Lucas tubing on the river soon; what better way to bring it up than to go for a stroll beside the actual river?
Could it be that Maverick’s conclusion was correct? He resisted the urge to call Andie and see what exactly Ty had said to her. As much as he wanted to know, Memphis had a horrible poker face. He didn’t want some inside scoop of information making it hard to be himself around Ty. He’d let things develop naturally.
And so far, things were developing quite nicely. Sure, they might have gone even better if Memphis hadn’t forgotten all about the ice pack he’d been holding when he moved in for a kiss, but he’d make up for that in time. At least, he hoped he might. She was a single mother, after all. A fact that would complicate this whole courting process. But the truth was, Memphis liked that she had an adorable son who lit up when he saw Memphis. Lucas was a good kid too. Smart, polite, and fun to be around. He liked what it felt like in their home, safe and comfortable. He admired the structure Ty followed to give her son a stable life, despite the fact that his father wasn’t part of it.
His chest filled with a longing dose of warmth. The familiar feeling reminded him of the crushes he’d had over the years. Of course, this went deeper than a mere crush. He’d spent a decent amount of time with Ty, and so far, he loved everything about her.
He made it to the spa in time to see Maverick hobbling back to the cart. Ty stood at the front with the door propped. “I’m going to clean up my station real quick,” she told Memphis. “I’ll be out in five.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll hurry and take Maverick back to the lodge.” Memphis turned his gaze on his brother. “If that’s where you want to go,” he added.
“It’s not,” Maverick said. “Take me to the gym, will you? I need to press some weights.”
Speaking of weights, it felt as if someone had lifted a massive weight off Memphis. Ty had said as much herself, to Andie anyway; she was attracted tohim—not his womanizing brother. Perhaps the tables really were starting to turn.
