"How long did you have to do PT?"
"Six months." A small smile lifted his lips. "You think I'm a tyrant, you should have seen my mom."
Her brows arched. "Your mom was your physical therapist?"
"No, but she went to every appointment with me. Then she made sure I did all my exercises at home every day."
He understands that recovery is difficult and painful. He isn’t pushing me for the fun of it.
When they reached the edge of the pool, Gabe turned again. "Okay, let's go back, but this time lengthen your stride and swing your arms under the water like big scissors." He demonstrated. "Exaggerate your movements."
She followed him, mimicking his actions. The additional movement of the water pulled at her, threatening to throw her off balance, but with concentration, she managed to keep her feet under her.
"Tell me about your family," Gabe said as they walked. "I've met your parents, obviously. Do you have siblings?"
Paige told him about her brother Ben and his family, who livedacross the cul de sac from her parents. She talked about her cute nieces and nephew before asking him about his family.
"What about you? Do you have siblings?"
"A younger sister. She and my mom live in Richland, about thirty minutes from my apartment in Pasco."
Paige noticed he didn't mention his dad. Was he still in the picture? Curbing her curiosity, she asked, "Is your sister married?"
"No, we're both still single, much to my mom’s dismay."
Well, I guess that answers that question.
Not that it mattered. Gabe might be single, but as her physical therapist, he was off limits. Besides, she wasn't looking for another relationship. She was better off single and lonely than getting her heart broken again.
They continued to talk about their families, interests, and hobbies as they made multiple laps across the pool. First walking, then marching and sidestepping. They followed the laps with a combination of resistance and low-impact exercises designed to strengthen and elevate the heart rate.
Paige had to repeatedly grab a hold of the edge to regain her balance, but she was surprised at how many of the exercises she was able to do with relatively little pain. Eventually, she sagged against the side.
"Wait." She gasped for air. "I need a break."
"That's fine. Take a minute to catch your breath." Gabe nodded as he stopped moving. "You're doing great."
"You covered everything they did with me at rehab in the first five minutes."
"With an injury like yours, it's important to break back into the exercise slowly." He gave a mischievous grin. "But you're almost healed now, so it's time to get your life back."
"I wish it was that easy." Paige lowered her gaze as her thoughts turned to the eight months she'd wasted on Phillip. She'd never get those back.
She felt a little lighter after telling Riley the truth about Phillip theother night. The tears had been cathartic, but now that she'd opened the gates on her heartbreak, she couldn’t seem to close them again. Phillip kept creeping into her thoughts, bringing a myriad of emotions from sorrow to anger and everything in between.
She couldn't believe he'd had the audacity to visit her at the hospital after her accident. Fortunately, her mother had been getting lunch, so Paige was able to tell Phillip exactly what she thought of him, but that hadn't kept him from trying to make her empty promises, including leaving a pregnant Avery for her.
Like I'd want a man who would do that.
He hadn't said as much, but from the way he talked, it didn’t sound like Phillip planned to tell her on Valentine's Day that he was marrying another woman.
Gabe ducked his head to meet her gaze. "Hey, we agreed to take things one day at a time, remember? Your only focus right now is getting stronger. You work on building yourself up physically, the rest will come."
"Maybe.” Paige forced a smile. “If my physical therapist doesn't kill me first."
"Speaking of that, are you ready for a core exercise that will leave your abs burning?" The teasing glint was back in his eyes as he rubbed his hands together.
She groaned. "Now I know why Gladys called you a tyrant."
