Page 15 of Revive Me

His hair’s also different. It’s buzzed, no longer the clean and styled haircut he had when I met him. Now, it’s a low-maintenance, lazy style. Same with his facial hair, but with one key difference: it looks like he hasn’t shaved in days. He’s also got dark circles under his eyes, his exhaustion obvious.

As he lifts his head, and our eyes meet, two things hit me at once.

First, he’s hungover.

And second, he has no idea who I am.

“Mr. Ward, I’d like to introduce you to Lily Davis. She’s one of our best physical therapists here and the person I’d like to pair you with for the time being,” my boss says, too focused on the file in her hand to notice my lack of breathing. “Were you able to fill out the new patient forms we talked about last time?”

It doesn’t occur to me until this moment that Roman hasn’t said a word. Not a hello, not an introduction with his name, nothing. He simply glanced my way and then turned an empty stare on my boss as she talked.

Now, he answers her question with a nod.

“Excellent,” she says, clearly unfazed by Roman’s demeanor. “In that case, I’ll let Lily introduce herself and run you through what our usual approach is with an injury like yours. She’s already reviewed your file and made herself familiar with what you have and haven’t tried in your therapy.”

I startle at the sudden handoff. “Oh. I—uh, hi, I’m Lily.” I wave awkwardly, then want to smack myself in the head when Roman’s dead stare meets mine. I’m rarely nervous, but this—Roman—is setting me off my game. “I’ve, um, been a physical therapist here for two years, and have helped multiple patients learn to walk again after surgeries and injuries. So I’m more than familiar with the rehab you’re dealing with. And actually—” My voice grows stronger, less shaky, as I settle into the topic at hand.ThisI can do. “I worked on a lot with SCIs while I was in school. I learned about the spine from some of the best therapists in the area. Between consistent strength training and using exercises specific to your injury, I feel confident that I can help you.”

I don’t know how I expect Roman to respond, but he simply…doesn’t. He merely continues staring at me, his expression blank and leaving me unable to read his thoughts.

I glance helplessly at my boss. “Um, okay. So, your file said you were seeing your previous therapists three times a week. Did you intend to stick with that routine?”

He nods, just once.

Flipping through his file, I try to busy myself with something so I can look away from Roman and give myself a brief reprieve from his intensity.

“What days work best for you? My schedule is fairly flexible; I’m here most days. Tuesday is the only day I’m not in at all. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., so we can?—”

“It has to be after-hours.”

My head snaps up at the sound of Roman’s voice. Even his voice sounds different. It’s deeper, more…raspy.

Then his comment registers, and I frown in confusion. “Why’s that?”

Something flares in his gaze.Irritation, maybe?“Personal preference,” he answers simply.

I debate pushing him on it, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out Roman isn’t going to budge on that request, and I’d rather pick my battles. Especially this early on. Besides, it’s not like I have a life outside of here, anyway.

I turn to my boss, silently waiting for her confirmation that we can make this kind of exception for a new patient. She nods and says, “Of course, we can absolutely accommodate that. Whatever makes you feel comfortable.”

Roman scoffs but doesn’t comment.

I let out a weary breath.I’m going to have my work cut out for me.

“How about Mondays and Wednesdays at seven, and Saturdays at four?” I ask.

Once again, I only get a nod.

“Great.” I snap the file closed. “Then I think we’re done for today. Since I’m assuming you don’t want to get started right now, during business hours?”

There’s another flash of something in his eyes. And this time, it makes me wonder if maybe hedoesremember me…

“I’ll see you on Wednesday, Miss Davis,” he says in a hard voice, and my hope evaporates into thin air. He turns his attention to my boss. “If there’s nothing else…?”

Without missing a beat, Fran stands to her feet, with me quickly following. “Nope, we have everything we need.” She extends her hand, which, to my surprise, Roman actually shakes. “I’m looking forward to following your recovery, Mr. Ward.”

Roman drops her hand and looks back at me. I feel like I need to follow my boss’s lead, so I also extend my hand, albeit a little hesitantly.

Slowly, he slides his hand into mine, his gaze locked on me the entire time. His skin is warm, his touch a contrast to his abrasive personality.

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