Page 80 of Revive Me

Another laugh bursts out of me, this one easier, and less tear-filled, helping to jolt me from my thoughts. “See?Andyou’re good with crying women.”

He doesn’t laugh with me. He just waits expectantly.

I shake my head, feeling lighter. “No, not really. A patient I worked with a few months ago—an older patient—passed of a heart attack, and it’s just…hitting a little harder than I would’ve expected. I know it’s a part of life and has nothing to do with me, but…I don’t know, it still makes me sad.”

Roman nods. “It speaks to your heart,” he says.

It’s my turn to shrug awkwardly. “I guess I just feel things more than I should.”

“Which is one of your best qualities, Liliana,” he says firmly, never looking away from me. “It’s what makes you a great physical therapist. And I should know: as a trouble patient, I’ve benefited greatly from that quality.”

Fondness for Roman hits me so hard, it almost bowls me over.This sweet, incredible, deserving man.

“I’ve never thought of you that way, Roman,” I whisper, scared to say it any louder. “Not once.”

Whatever’s passing between us feels…big. Too big for either of us to understand. But it’s no less powerful because of it.

Forcing a smile onto my face, I nod at the box in my hands. “And anyway, there’s no way you could qualify for that title after this. Surprising me with my favorite dessert on a bad day? You might even earn favorite patient with this.”

A playful smile tugs at his lips. “Who knew all I needed to impress you was some sugar. I should’ve guessed.”

I let out a laugh and try to subtly blink the wetness from my eyes. “Well, either way, you’re going to need to help me eat this. Blueprint cookies are too much for one person.”

Roman glances at the cookie in my hands and lifts an eyebrow. “I could eat three of those in one sitting, Liliana.”

I roll my eyes before quickly walking into the break room to grab two forks. “Okay, well, you can get your own cookies then. I’m only offering you half.”

His amusement is right back on the forefront. “I ordered that cookie foryou. If you don’t finish it, give it to your roommate or something. Or Garfield.”

“He wishes he could have a cookie like this,” I murmur, taking a seat on the treatment table beside him. “No, I want to share this with you.” I hold one of the forks out to him and add, “Please?”

Shaking his head with a smile, he takes the fork and moves closer to the table. “As if I could say no to you. But you take the first bite. I was pretty sure I got the right flavor, but…”

I stab the fork into the cookie and pop the bite into my mouth. “Definitely the right flavor,” I moan, my mouth still full. I cut off another bite. “Double chocolate cookie is a win by itself, but add in a Ferrero Rocher cheesecake filling?Hellooo, heaven.”

Laughing, he takes a bite for himself and lifts it to his mouth. Then his head rears back as he points at the cookie with his fork. “Okay, that might even be good enough to fixmyday. Holy shit. How have I never tried Blueprint before?”

“I think they only opened in Philly recently. They’re technically a franchise.” I take another bite. “You have a sweet tooth all of the sudden, huh?”

“I think I just grew one,” Roman mutters to himself.

Why can’t I stop smiling?“So, I shouldn’t be surprised if you acquire a muffin top? Noted.”

With a snort, he takes another bite. “Do you have any idea how much ab work is required to wield a wheelchair?Andthat goddamn harness?” He jerks his chin toward the harness we used today at the parallel bars.

“I havesomeidea,” I mumble. My head snaps up, my cheeks heating as I realize what I just let slip. And that Roman is grinning shamelessly at me. I seriously cannot keep my mouth shut around this man.

“Checking me out again, Doc?” he teases. “It’s alright, I do the same thing. And personally”—his gaze drops down my body, and my cheeks heat for an entirely different reason—“I think the sweets you eat go to all the right places.”

When did the air thin out? There’s not enough oxygen in here.

This is how it’s been for the past two weeks. Ever since that “pretend” kiss turned my world upside down. Our sessions consist of the usual exercises, and our banter is the same as it’s always been, but…there’s an energy in the air that wasn’t there before. It’s in the way I know when he’s looking at me, and the way his skin always feels warm under my touch. The way my breath hitches sometimes when we make eye contact.

“Roman,” I chastise on a breath.

He chuckles as he takes another bite. “You started it.”

I start to stutter over a response, but I have none. Instead, I let out a defeated exhale and scoop up the last bit of the cookie.

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