Page 96 of Opening Strain

She sips her coffee, all the while throwing off standoffish vibes. The need to set things straight between us gnaws. “Last night was a clusterfuck.”

Her eyebrow raises. “No arguments from me.”

I pull her into a corner, keeping my back to any entering passengers. “I meant what I said. I haven’t thought about Lissa in a decade. Not in that way. Whenever she did cross my mind, it was as areminder not to get involved with anyone.” I glance out the window as the helicopter lands. “Until you.”

“Bennett, it’s fine. I’m your physical therapist and you’re leaving in a couple of days. I’ll wish you well and return to my normal life, and you’ll perform on stages across the world.”

“You’ve changed me. The thought of returning to UC performances yawns with emptiness if you’re not in my life.” I suck in all the air. “I don’t want to return to thestatus quo. I like who I am with you. Who you make me.”

Lids close over her grey eyes in rapid succession. “Lissa’s beautiful. She looks like the type of woman who belongs on your arm. Like the models usually there.”

Two of my fingers tap on her chin, causing it to rise. “I have been with models, true. But you know who caught my eye ages ago, yet was unavailable to me? I won’t lie and tell you I was jealous of Darren, but I did want what he had. I just didn’t realize I wantedexactlywho was on his arm. Now you’re in my life, I can’t forget you and walk away.”

“Even if I were to agree, we lead very different lives.”

I frown. My idea about meeting up during breaks and her flying to concerts isn’t enough. “I’m not sure how, but I will do everything in my power to make things work between us.” The same two fingers that tapped on her chin, now rub my own nose. “Do you want that?”

The million-dollar question hangs between us.

“The paparazzi will be ruthless.”

“Tell me when they aren’t,” I counter. “Their job is to stir the pot. Mine is to not give a shit.”

She steps back from me. Always stepping away. “I don’t see how we could do this.”

“Luke is going to meet us at the doctor’s office. If you want to explore this with me, we should talk with him.”

“I don’t know what to think. You’ve pulled me off guard. Dragged me back into the pits of hell with all the media.” She takes a breath. “Then swept me off my feet like an avenging angel and made me forget all of these truths.”

My knees bend so I can gaze directly into her eyes. “Sounds like you want to explore what’s between us.”

“I don’t know.” She shakes her head. “It’s a lot. You’re a lot.”

“When I see something I want, I don’t give up.”

“I’m starting to see that.”

The PA announces our flight to Manhattan is now boarding. Together, we take measured steps to the helicopter behind a few other passengers. Headsets on, we buckle up for the ride. Shortly afterward, we’re carried away by the beauty that is New York City from above. Densely packed skyscrapers and pavement with bits of green space interspersed. The concrete jungle is an apt nickname, yet the life teeming below us is what sets this city apart.

“The City looks beautiful from up here,” Jenna notes with a slice of wonder in her tone.

“So do you.”

She turns her head toward me and rolls her eyes. Score! I have to be making progress with her since she didn’t make any other comment.

Soon we land in Manhattan and are picked up by a black SUV, which takes us to the doctor’s office. Luke stands as soon as we enter the waiting room.

“B!” He gives me a bro hug. “You’re looking well. If I didn’t know you’d pulled a muscle, I wouldn’t think anything was amiss.”

I wrap my arm around Jenna, who stiffens. “All thanks to this woman here.”

Jenna disengages from my embrace and holds out her hand. “Luke.”

Our manager glances between Jenna and me a few times before shaking her hand. “Happy to see our boy’s been behaving.”

She snorts, then covers up with a cough. “He is a handful, to be sure, but I’ve managed to keep him in line with PT. He’s doing well.”

“Good to hear.” Luke turns appraising eyes on me. “I’ve alreadysigned you in, so let’s take a seat in the private waiting room. I’m sure we won’t have to wait long.”

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