Page 26 of Safe With Me

“Hmm. I’d like to hear about those times someday. But I came over to ask for your help.”

“I’ll help at the clinic any way I can.”

“I don’t mean that. I need to get back to normal.”

“What’s normal for you Pax? So far all I know is that you were a cocky bastard, your words.”

“Well, I don’t want that part of me back. But I can’t be so depressed anymore.”

“You might need professional help with that.”

“I might. But I’m going to start figuring it out myself first.”

“Hmm.”

“Tell me, Steph. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?”

“Like I said, find a counselor. Then, I’d start with the physical.”

“Physical? Surely you don’t mean…”

“That I’d mercy fuck you?” She laughed out loud. “No, I meant getting in shape.”

He rolled his eyes. “Of course you did.”

“What’s on tap at the clinic tomorrow?”

“We have to finish setting up the furniture and stocking the exam rooms. Caleb, Gemma and Harlan are coming in so I expect we can do all that. Then I was hoping to copy and distribute the flyers in downtown Westwood for the clinic’s opening.”

“You can’t do that without me guarding you.”

“I know.”

“Then when we’re finished, let’s go to the Y.”

For a minute, Pax remembered his exclusive gym in Syracuse. But he banished the thought. “Let’s do that then.”

Chapter 5

With so many workers—Caleb, Gemma, Harlan, Pax and Steph herself, the furniture was de-boxed and arranged in all the rooms. Harlan and Caleb then went back to stock the exam rooms with the medical supplies. Everybody finished by noon.

Steph noticed that Pax was still upbeat. He came out of the back with his phone in hand. “I’m taking orders for sandwiches at Kingston’s. I’ve sent you all a menu to pick something for lunch.”

Harlan chose his food first and sent it to Pax’s phone, then asked, “What’s going on this afternoon?”

“We’re planning to distribute flyers on the few blocks around the clinic. There’s houses and stores down here.”

“That sounds like fun,” Gemma said after sending her order.

“We can go in groups. You three—” he indicated the Shepherds and Harlan “—can cover the intersecting streets. Steph and I will go on the horizontal streets closest to the clinic.”

When the food arrived, they sat at a round table in the corner and chowed down. Steph sat next to Pax. “How’s your corn beef on rye?” he asked.

“Want a taste?”

“Sure? Want some meatball?”

“No thanks.” She cut off a portion of her sandwich and fed him. It seemed so natural to do, but she caught the expressions of the others. Uh-oh. Too intimate a gesture.

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