Page 6 of Playing with My Heart

“Give it time. Chicago has a way of growing on you,” he assured me.

Lunch arrived then, breaking the spell of our conversation as the waitress set down plates filled with towering sandwiches and crispy fries. The momentary distraction allowed me to gather my thoughts, yet part of me didn’t want to break away from the easy connection I felt with Travis.

“So, what made you choose Chicago anyway?” he asked as soon as she’d walked away.

I swirled a french fry through a dollop of ketchup and when I looked back up, I found his blue eyes focused on mine. “I didn’t really have a choice,” I answered honestly. His eyebrows reached toward his hairline, and I laughed, realizing how my words could have been construed. “That probably came out wrong. What I meant to say was I wanted to move here because my boyfriend got a new job at Mercy. He’s an emergency room doctor.”

Travis gave me an incredulous look. “You moved here for a guy? Must be pretty serious then.”

I shrugged, swirling another fry through the puddle of ketchup on my plate. “David and I have been together since high school, so yeah.”

He let out a low whistle. “Well, I hope you guys will be happy here. Adjusting to a new city takes time, but you’ve got people around who want to help make this place feel like home for you. Count me in as one of them.”

The sincerity in his voice wrapped around me, a comforting blanket warding off the last of the uncertainty I’d been feeling. “Thanks. That means a lot, really.”I took a bite of my sandwich, savory flavors bursting on my tongue, and I realized that maybe, just maybe, Chicago wouldn’t be so overwhelming after all. Not with someone like Travis at my side.

“Speaking of which—” He scooped up a fry, considering it for a moment before continuing. “How about I show you and David around this weekend? There are some spots in the city that aren’t in the guidebooks. Places where real life happens, you know? Plus, we can grab some good eats along the way.”

“Tour guide Travis, huh?” I teased, my heart warming at the offer. It wasn’t just the invitation that touched me—it was the inclusion of David too. “You sure you’re ready to take on that responsibility?”

“Absolutely.” His laughter was easy, a sound that filled the room with happiness. “Besides, I’ve been told I’m pretty damn good at it. Worst case scenario, we end up at Whipped, dancing the night away.”

“Whipped?” My head cocked to the side with curiosity.

“Only the best club in town. But don’t worry,” he added quickly, a playful wink accompanying his words, “we’ll start with the PG-rated tour. Work our way up to R.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I agreed, already picturing the three of us taking on the city, guided by Travis’s confident stride.

“Great!” He clapped his hands together once, as if sealing the deal.

The rest of lunch passed in a blur of easy banter. As we stood to leave, needing to get back for our afternoon appointments, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had found a piece of home right there in that bustling café, sitting across from a man whose kindness felt as familiar as it was exciting.

“Hey, Parker.” Kara voice cut through my thoughts as I pushed through the doors of the therapy center. “How was lunch?”

“Great,” I answered, more to myself than to her. My words felt light, buoyant. “Really great.”

There was an ease to the rest of the afternoon, patients coming and going on an endless cycle. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this, the camaraderie and connection, until Travis offered it so freely. There was no denying the pull I felt towards him, a magnetic draw that went beyond his undeniable physical appeal. He was also a genuinely nice guy.

By the time I headed home for the evening, my heart was a mix of gratitude and exhilaration. My phone rang as soon as I stepped outside. “Hey you! How was your first day?” David asked.

“It was great! Everyone was so nice, and I think I’m going to love working there. Travis is very laid-back, but he takes his job seriously. I can tell how much he cares about the patients. Oh, and Travis even offered to show us around the city this weekend,” I added excitedly.

“Ah, making friends already?” David’s tone was teasing, but I heard the pride underneath.

“More like a guide with benefits,” I joked, earning a playful snort from him.

“Benefits, huh? Should I be worried?”

I laughed. “Only the benefit of knowing every corner of our new city.”

“I’m so relieved to hear that everything went well, babe. This move was a good thing, you’ll see.”

I smiled as I hung up and pocketed my phone. I was beginning to think David was right. This move was certainly looking like a fresh start for both of us.

Chapter Three

TRAVIS

The midday sun slanted through the windows of the café, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden table where I sat across from Parker. We had slipped away from the clinic for a lunch break. So far, he’d proven to be a real asset to our team. He kept up to date on all the latest studies regarding physical therapy and how to apply their findings to our patients, he got along fantastically with the other members of the team, and best of all, the patients loved him.

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