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 rubbed his 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 did you do 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 jalapenos. "
Paige once again noticed Gabe didn't mention his dad. Tamping down her curiosity, she focused on what he had said. "Do you make your own salsa?"
"Not just our own. My mom makes enough to feed an army. For Christmas, all her neighbors and coworkers get a jar or two—made exactly the way they like it, from mild to hot, to extra hot."
"I wish I lived in your neighborhood. Chips and salsa are my favorite snack, although I hate to admit I'm a wimp when it comes to spice."
"There's no shame in admitting you can't handle the heat." The smirk he gave her said otherwise.
When they reached the edge of the pool again Gabe clapped his hands and rubbed them together.
"Okay, I want us to do one more lap before we stretch.
This time, lift your knee in front of you then rotate it out to the side before lowering it.
" He demonstrated, and Paige followed his example.
"Lift the right knee every time, then we'll focus on the left leg when we make our way back.
" He continued to talk as they made their way across the pool.
"This exercise stretches the inner thigh and works the outer thigh and glutes.
It'll help with the weakness in the hip and low back. "
They hadn't even made it halfway across the pool before Paige felt the tightness in every muscle Gabe mentioned. She appreciated that he explained the purpose of the exercises and how they would benefit her.
He did the same thing on Monday with Sam Hipwell, who had suffered a stroke that affected his speech and the left side of his body. Gabe’s patience and knowledge left her in awe. Every exercise he did with Sam was meant to help him get his life back.
Just like he's trying to do with me.
The problem was, she didn't want her old life back. However, her desire for a fresh start in Providence didn’t seem to be panning out.
They were halfway back across the pool, focusing on the left leg, when a sharp, stabbing pain seized Paige's hamstring.
"Ow!" She jerked her leg up and bent to rub the back of her thigh.
The rocking of the water tugged at her as she tried to balance on one foot. She hopped, trying to steady herself and ease the Charlie horse. After landing on Gabe's foot, she jerked sideways. Her heel hit the slope of the floor leading to the deep end and slid out from under her.
She plunged into the water. Releasing her still spasming leg, she flailed her arms, fighting to get her feet under her. But she couldn't find her footing in the deeper water.
Gabe's strong arms dragged her up and pulled her against his firm chest. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Cramp," Paige gasped and wriggled, desperate to ease the pain. "My left leg."
"In the hamstring?" Without waiting for an answer, his hand reached down and brought her left leg up to his side.
"Flex your foot. Keep your leg as straight as possible.
" He widened his stance and braced her leg against his hip, then he reached around her thigh to rub her hamstring with his strong fingers.
His other arm remained clamped around her waist, holding her secure against him.
Despite his grip on her, she clung to him; one arm around his neck, the other hand digging into the back of his arm.
"Is it letting up?"
"Not quite." The painful spasm had spread to her buttock, but she wasn't about to tell him that.
He hitched her leg a little higher. "Take deep breaths and let them out as slowly as possible."
She tried to do as he instructed, but being pressed against his wet, bare chest made it almost impossible to breathe. By the time the Charlie horse subsided, her heart raced like she'd just run a marathon. Gabe's embrace made her feel safe and very alive.
She couldn't help comparing him to Phillip. Physically, they were complete opposites, but they were both charismatic and friendly, always making others feel special. But Phillip had lied to her the whole time he’d showered her with compliments and affection.
Would Gabe do that?
She thought of all the sides she'd seen of Gabe over the past week and a half; compassionate and jovial, strong and caring. She assumed he was the same in his personal life if he spent his weekends helping his mom plant a garden. He wasn’t the type to mislead a woman and cheat on her. Was he?
"How does it feel now?" Gabe's voice was much huskier than a moment ago.
It sent a surge of warmth shooting through her. Her eyes darted to his face. When she locked gazes with his hooded yet intense stare, a thrum of excitement coursed through her.
"It's relaxing." She was so breathless, little sound came out.
His eyes narrowed as his head drifted toward hers. "Slowly lower your leg. Let's make sure the cramp doesn't return." Despite his words, it was another long moment before he released her leg and shifted his hand to her waist.
Goosebumps covered her thigh where his fingers grazed her skin.
A pleasant shiver rippled through her, and she had to fight the urge to lean into him.
She forced herself to loosen the hold she had on his arm and around his neck, but she felt so unsteady she didn't dare let go entirely.
Her left hand came to a stop on his chest where his heart raced beneath her palm.
It matched the rapid staccato of hers, which only ramped up the attraction coursing through her, stealing her breath.
"How does it feel?"
Paige didn't think it was possible for his voice to go any deeper, but it had, and it made her warm all over despite the cool water that surrounded them.
"Feels amaz—"
Wait. He's referring to my leg, not the warm fuzzies swarming me.
"It's good." Her words came out a hoarse whisper.
"But you're still shaking." It was a statement, not a question.
She nodded anyway as a sudden desire to kiss him hit her. Would his lips be as firm as his embrace or would they be gentle and teasing?
Stop it! You can’t kiss your physical therapist. You’re done with men, remember?
His gaze dropped to her lips as though he read her mind. His breathing sounded as ragged as hers.
She was wrong. There was nothing safe about crushing on her therapist. He should have been untouchable, but she was touching an awful lot of him right now. And it felt so good. She leaned into him.