Luke did it all the time, but that was just his way. Besides, he was only an assistant. Gabe wasthephysical therapist. He was a doctor for Pete's sake. He should be held to a higher standard.
"Well, I've been…really busy with work lately, setting up the new office and all."
"Perhaps it would be easier for you to remember the name of the last woman you took out." Grace prompted with wide, innocent eyes.
Thatwaseasier to remember, but Mom wouldn't like the answer. Ithad been almost six months since he decided he and Giselle, Dr. Stoker's niece, didn't have enough in common.
He shot Grace another scowl, telling her to mind her own business. He was about to make another lame excuse when Mom pointed a finger at Grace.
"You're no better, Mija." Mom shook her head in disgust. "I’m never going to be a grandma if you two don't get busy?"
Grandma?
Gabe fell into a coughing fit after choking again. This time on his own saliva.
CHAPTER 7
Paige surveyed her reflection in the dressing room mirror at the pool. The new tankini with a higher neckline and boy shorts fit her much better than her old one. She'd also brought a change of clothes, which would be unnecessary if Gabe decided to do that scraping thing on her scars again.
Grateful to be able to put a little more weight on her left leg, she made her way out to the pool, arriving at the same time as Gabe.
"Good morning, how are you today?" He pulled his shirt off over his head as he spoke.
He wore the same blue swim trunks as last week, but somehow, he looked even more amazing in them than Paige remembered. She'd forgotten how sculpted he was.
She'd decided being attracted to Gabe was a good thing. Finding other men good looking meant she was getting over Phillip. Crushing on her physical therapist was safe, because nothing would ever come of it, which meant he couldn't break her heart.
They exchanged pleasantries as they made their way to the water. Like last week, Gabe preceded her down the steps into the pool, staying close in case she slipped.
"Okay, let's do some warm-up laps before we stretch." He rubbedhis hands together. "We'll start with the same strides as last week. Let's try to keep a little faster pace this time." They'd barely done half a lap when Gabe asked, "What did you do this weekend?"
"I went shopping on Saturday." She motioned to her new swimsuit. She almost told him about the Marvel-character socks she bought for him. They practically screamed Gabe's name.
She’d justified the impulse purchase by convincing herself that giving her therapist socks as a thank you gift when she finished therapy wouldn’t be considered inappropriate. Now she just had to hang onto them until she finished therapy or until the end of summer. Because if she didn’t find a job, she’d have to return to Seattle. And the whole job thing wasn’t looking very promising yet.
“We had a big family dinner on Sunday with all the cousins on my mom's side of the family who live close." Paige continued to talk, telling Gabe a little about her aunts and cousins who also lived in Providence. "Oh, and the best part was talking to my cousin Damon. I don't get to see him very often, but he's been good at checking in on me since my accident. He's two years older than me, but we were really close growing up." She swung her arms in wide arcs under the water as she talked. "Damon joined the army after high school and has been stationed all over the country."
She caught a grin on Gabe's face as they reached the edge and started another lap with a different stride. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing." He schooled his features. "I just don't think I've ever heard you talk so much."
Warmth filled Paige's face. "I've been monopolizing the conversation, haven't I?"
"A little, but I don't mind." He grinned again. "You're so animated, it's fun to listen to you."
"I'm starting to feel more like my old self, and I'm noticing my gift to gab has returned."
"Gift to gab, huh?" He raised an eyebrow, his expression curious.
Paige changed the subject. "So, what didyoudo this weekend?"
"My weekend wasn't nearly as exciting as yours. On Saturday, I helped my mom and sister plant a hundred tomatoes."
"A hundred!"
"It was actually only twenty, but it felt like a hundred. When it comes time to harvest the tomatoes, it's going to feel like a million." He turned when they reached the edge again and started a sideways lunge, swinging his arms out to the side. "We also planted a bunch of onions, peppers, and jalapeños."
Paige once again noticed Gabe didn't mention his dad. Tamping down her curiosity, she focused on what hehadsaid. "Do you make your own salsa?"
