He winked at her. She couldn’t keep the grin from spreading across her face if she wanted to. Yes, there was definitely a sparkle lighting up her days more than the September sun. She never thought physical therapy would be bearable, much less enjoyable.But somehow her dread had transformed into expectation because after every session, she hadhimto look forward to.
And she couldn’t wait to share her ideas with Solomon about his parents’ renewal party. The botanical gardens would be the perfect fit for them, and with her cousin’s connections at the facility and her impeccable design ideas, it would be the garden-party renewal of the year.
Everything was slowly falling back into place. Once she had confirmation of a meeting with Blue Horizon, she would finish her presentation and get back to business. She even asked Evelyn for a few more days beyond the fifteenth to work remotely and get all the details together. She hoped that would buy her more time.
Solomon stood to the side of the front door, holding a phone to his ear.
Warmth bloomed from her chest and seeped into her veins. How did he effortlessly exude such elegant strength? Instead of his usual office wear of scrubs, he wore a button-down and jeans.
She lifted her hand to wave. He noticed her, then frowned and dropped his phone hand to the side.
“Everything okay, Doctor?” She shifted the tote bag that carried her tablet and folder to the side and reignited her smile, hoping to ease some of the tension etched in his forehead. “Am I interrupting an important call? I can wait.”
His face was apologetic, almost ashamed. “I’m sorry, I was actually trying to call you.”
“Itwasan important call, then.”
She saw the sparkle then, just a bit, but his eyes soon clouded over with regret.
“I was hoping to catch you before you came out, but I need to leave now. Things ran late at the hospital, and now I have a meeting in just a few minutes that I can’t miss. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Her mouth said the words, but disappointment diffused the burst of warmth that had come at the sight of him. She’d had so much to tell him about her ideas. The late night of puttingtogether a design board had been therapeutic and energizing. But maybe it didn’t all have to wait for the next time.
“If you still have a few minutes, do you want to take a peek at my final renewal plan?”
His face brightened. She smiled back in relief. He motioned for her to follow him outside and led her to one of the benches lining the entrance. As she attempted to step toward it, he cupped her elbow. It was unnecessary, really, but she relished his touch, his hands strong and deliberate, capable as a surgeon’s and gentle as an artist’s. He didn’t let go until she was safely seated. When he sat next to her, she secretly hoped that he would continue the closeness, but he eased a few inches away, giving her space probably to show him what she held.
She handed him the folder and pulled out her tablet, swiped up, and paused. “Should I set a timer?”
He laughed. “You don’t have to do all that, Kenya.”
She smirked and moved her fingers over to the timer. “How about I set one anyway? It will be fun.”
“Let me guess, you’re going to race yourself.”
“You may know my ankle and my mind a bit too well, Doctor.”
“Not as well as I like.” His words came out softer than usual. Kenya looked up but quickly glanced away, not wanting to acknowledge what she may not have heard correctly. No need to assume.
“Well, let’s see how good I am at making a pitch to an interested party. I need the practice anyway, and yes, I do like a little competition. Even if it’s with myself.”
She set the timer to five minutes, pulled up the file she’d worked on, and leaned forward. It wasn’t until she felt the tensing of his muscles that she realized the space between them wasn’t so empty anymore.
“Oh, sorry.” Her outward launch into her pitch had set off her subtle movement toward him. Her traitorous subconscious seemed to have trouble staying away from Dr. Solomon.
He smiled and stretched his arm over the back of the bench. “Please continue.”
Instead of leaning back into that inviting posture, she bent over her tablet, positioning it so that Solomon could see it well.
“I looked over the venues we researched, and I think the botanical gardens would be a fantastic place for your parents’ vow renewal. So much of what you mentioned that they love is already there. We can bring in a few extra elements to make it a lusher setting, including”—she swiped to the next page—“this copper arch that we can weave with flowers and greenery. I am not talking about your run-of-the-mill florals but beautiful flowers that represent their years of marriage and...”
“Home,” Solomon breathed. “I recognize some of those plants from my time in Nigeria.”
Kenya grinned, pleased that he saw the intention. “Yes. Now, no more interruptions. I’m being timed, right?”
“A timer that you set for yourself.”
Kenya cleared her throat.
