Chapter 23 Lindsey #2
My mom sits on the edge of the bed, petting Catrick Swayze who hasn’t so much as lifted his head. “Honey, you don’t look like you feel well. Maybe you should reschedule your appointments for the day.”
“I can’t,” I say. “They need me. I’ll be fine. Just tired is all.”
“Your fibromyalgia is flaring up, isn’t it?” she asks as I slide out from under the covers. “You really should take a day to rest. You know your father would want—”
“Mom, I’m okay. I’ve got everything under control,” I insist, knowing full well I do not.
My mother opens her mouth to protest, but I grab my scrubs and run to the bathroom to change. I brush my teeth just long enough to knock the morning breath off my tongue and swish around some mouthwash while I throw my hair in a haphazard bun.
When I return to my room, my mom is waiting outside the door.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asks as I rush by her to grab my purse, phone, and keys. “You look exhausted. Maybe I could just drop you off at the clinic? I’m on my way into the office now.”
“I’ve got this, Mom.” I pause long enough to peck her on the cheek. “Thank you, though. Love you,” I call as I dash down the stairs and out into the cold.
Thankfully, my drive to work is even shorter from my mom’s house, allowing me to make it there in six minutes.
I burst through the door to find two clients in the lobby and Kayla eyeing me as though a wild animal just strolled in wearing a top hat.
“Sorry I’m late. I got held up this morning.” I turn to address the waiting pet owners in the lobby before I push through the entrance to the back. “I’ll be right with y’all.”
Before the door can close behind me, Kayla’s on my heels.
“Lindsey, how about I reschedule the rest of your day?” she asks, following me into my office.
“No need.” I toss my bag on the desk and grab my lab coat from the back of the chair. “Just let my next one know I’m running a little behind, but I should be able to catch up.”
Kayla body blocks me as I try to leave the room. “Lindsey, you know I love you, right?”
“Yes, but I need to get to work,” I say, attempting to step around her, but she holds out her arm to stop me.
“I don’t think you understand,” she says, lowering her voice. “You look a little like a feral possum fresh out of the dumpster.”
“Lindsey, is that you?” I hear Lucy’s voice before she appears in the doorway. “Are you—” She cuts herself off with a sharp intake of breath. “Oh my God, what happened to you?”
“She got held up,” Kayla answers for me.
“At gunpoint? Because I guess that would explain it,” Lucy says. “Seriously, you look like shit.”
“Gee thanks, y’all.” I roll my eyes. “I just overslept and didn’t have time to get ready. It’s not a big deal.”
“You’re having a fibro flare, aren’t you?” Kayla asks. “I knew it. Lindsey, you need to rest. You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends.”
“Sure, I can,” I quip. “Because now I have a hot firefighter boyfriend that can put out the flames.”
Kayla folds her arms over her chest. “I suppose he could if he knew about your illness, but he doesn’t, does he?”
Oof. Checkmate.
“Look, I’m fine.” Kayla and Lucy lift their brows, so I clarify. “I’ll be fine. I just need some coffee, and I’ll be good to go. Promise.” I grip Kayla’s arms. “Will you please, please, please grab me a cup? I’ll get it after I see the first patient.”
She sighs. “If you agree to go straight home after work tonight and rest. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, and definitely do not go out with your superhot boyfriend, no matter how superhot he is.”
“Okay, okay.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “Coffee. Pretty please?”
“I mean it,” she says as I squeeze past her.
“And the insurance adjuster called here for you,” she adds before I can make it far. “Said she’s been trying to reach you.”
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. I intended to call her yesterday, but it slipped my mind. The insurance company completed their investigation, and now I need to pick a company to handle the smoke mitigation. I just wish I could clear the smog in my head long enough to get my act together.
“Okay, thank you,” I say and scurry away before either of them can remind me of anything else I’ve forgotten to do.
I’m catching up on emails while I finish scarfing down the lunch my sister got me when a knock on my office door causes me to jump, nearly knocking over my soda.
“Oliver?” I say, rising to my feet. “What are you doing here? I thought you were working today.”
He’s handsome as ever with two Southern Bean coffees in his hands.
I’m grateful I took the time between patients to borrow some mascara from Kayla and also dotted some rosy-pink lipstick on my cheeks.
It didn’t work miracles, but it did return some life to my face.
Now, instead of sick and tired, I just look tired. I’ll take what I can get.
“Well, I was,” he says, coming around to kiss me on the cheek before handing me one of the cups. “But I ended up with the day off. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by. Kayla told me I could head on back.”
“Of course, I don’t mind,” I say as he sits across from me. “So, what are you going to do with the rest of your day?”
“Well, that’s kind of why I’m here.” He shifts in his seat and clears his throat. “The chief sent me home when he found out it was my birthday. Said he had plenty of people on and to consider it a gift.”
“Today’s your birthday? Oh my God! Happy birthday,” I say. “Oliver, why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I don’t like to make a big deal about them, mostly because there was only ever one person in my life who made them special.
” He gives me a faint smile. “But I was thinking that if you don’t have plans tonight we could get dinner together.
Maybe watch a movie. It doesn’t have to be anything special. ”
“Of course, it does,” I say. “You deserve to be celebrated. I’m taking you out tonight.”
“You don’t have to—”
“How about I pick you up at seven and take you to Opryland Hotel for dinner,” I say, leaning forward with my head on my hands. “We can see the lights, maybe do some ice skating. It’ll be fun.”
His eyes brighten. “Really?”
A flutter beyond the entrance of the door catches my eye. Kayla is a few feet from the opening, waving her arms like a mad woman. When she has my attention, she shakes her head, points to me, and then mimes sleeping.
I ignore her. “Of course.”
Kayla slashes her finger across her throat and pins me with a death glare before disappearing from sight.
“I’d love that,” Oliver says with a grin. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I want to spend the time with you.” I can rest tomorrow night. This is more important.
“Well,” he says, rising to his feet. “I guess I should let you get back to it. I have a couple errands I need to run.”
“Thank you for the coffee.” I maneuver around my desk to wrap my arms around him. “I needed a little pick me up, and seeing you was the icing on the cake, birthday boy.”
His lips find mine in a tender kiss. “It’s been a long time since I’ve even done anything for my birthday, so it just…it means a lot.”
“I’ll see you tonight,” I say, and with one more kiss, he’s out the door.
Before I can even get back to my chair, Kayla is in the room, closing us inside.
“What the hell was that?” she hisses.
I plop down and press the heels of my palms into my eyes. “Kayla, what was I supposed to do? It’s his birthday. I’m not going to let him be alone.”
“How about a smidge of honesty?” she asks. “I’m not feeling so hot. How about a movie on the couch? Or better yet, let me take you out this weekend after I’ve gotten some rest?”
“A movie on the couch isn’t enough,” I say. “Oliver deserves more.”
“And so do you,” she shoots back. “You deserve better than the way you’re treating yourself. It’s not noble to hide your pain from everyone, Lindsey.”
“Not everyone needs to know,” I say. “I don’t want to bother people with my problems.”
She draws back with an incredulous glare. “Your problems? You mean your life?”
I massage my temples with my fingers. “I will tell him eventually. When the time is right. But I’ve been down this road before, Kayla. You know how Daniel—”
“Was a pretentious asshat?” she asks, cutting me off.
“I’m well aware. We’ve been through this.
What happened with Daniel had nothing to do with you.
It wasn’t because of your illness or your grief or any other stupid excuse he gave you.
He did what he did because he’s an insufferable piece of shit. ”
I rake my hands over my face and sigh. “I need to do this, okay? I’ll rest tomorrow night.”
She props her hands on her hips. “I’m moving up your last appointment of the day so you can leave a little early. If you’re doing this, you’re going home to take a nap beforehand.”
I open my mouth to argue, but she beats me to it.
“So help me God, I will look in Oliver’s records for his phone number and call him myself if you—”
“Okay, okay,” I relent. “Fine. And I’ll go straight home after work tomorrow to rest. I swear.”
Her nostrils flare as she breathes out. “I’m sorry I got testy. I love you, you ding-dong.”
“I love you too,” I say with a faint smile.
“I know,” she says softly. “I just wish you would also give a little of that love to yourself. But anyway, finish your coffee, and I’ll go call your last client.”
“Thank you,” I say as she backs out of the room.
This is good. This is more than good. I’ll go home, take a quick nap, and that’ll get me through the night so I can make sure Oliver’s birthday is one he won’t forget.