Page 11 of Extended Bridge

Who am I trying to convince?

I pick up my phone. He hasn’t sent me any texts since he jetted back to the City yesterday.Does he still want me to be his therapist?I shrug this thought off as nonsense. He couldn’t kiss me and do the other stuff we did and not want me with him. Right? Oh God, what if he does that on the regular? He always was picking up women when I was with Darren.

Maybe this is for the best. I can do a job, get paid very well for it—enough for my fourth clinic—and return here without worry. Bennett could’ve already forgotten me. With this “delightful” thought, I dial his number.

“Jenna!” I can barely hear him above all the background noise.

“Hi. Are you still looking for a physical therapist?”

“I never started.”

His simple statement sends me reeling. He hasn’t discarded me.Get it under control. “That sure of me, were you?”

“I was hoping. Did you see the press from our gig last night?”

Might as well be honest. “I read a couple of headlines. Seems like it went well.”

“It was amazing being back onstage. You’ll be happy to know I took things very slowly. No running or even dancing.” He chuckles. “I may have moved my hips a little bit.”

I glance at the floor. “Can’t take you completely out of your element.”

“No way. But enough about me. When are you coming on tour?”

This is it. The moment of truth. Bees fly around my stomach. “Where are you now?” As if I didn’t alreadyknow.

“We’re still in New York City. We have two more gigs at Madison Square Garden, then we go to Philly.”

I could stay away for a few more nights and meet him in Philadelphia. Grant myself a reprieve. Before I can chicken out, there’s one last thing I need to know. “How’s the pain level?”

“Right now, I’d give it about a six.”Which means at least a seven. “I have the leg up with ice on it.”

I sit up. “What were you doing a half hour ago?”

“Well, I might have tried out some lunges.” My eyes slam shut. “To see how they’d feel, if I performed them onstage.” He huffs. “Not my brightest idea.”

I open my eyelids, giving a final glance around my house. “No, it wasn’t. Bennett, if you keep doing things like this, you’re only going to reinjure yourself and delay healing.”

He protests, “I was feeling better.”

Because you didn’t have PT for a day and a half. I slump against the chair. “Can you please send a helicopter for me?”

“You’re coming? Today?”

“Someone has to keep you safe from yourself.”

“I know what else you could do to make me feel better.”

I can practically see his eyebrows waggling. At least this is the opening I need. “I need to make this crystal clear. If I agree to join you, this will be our reset. There will be no more extracurricular activities between us. You can’t kiss or hug me—or anything. Do you understand me?”

“Can I hug you hello?”

Because I want to savor one last time in his arms, I relent. “Once.” In my mind’s eye, he’s wrapping me against his hard body, pulling me in so tight I can feel his heart beating against my cheek. My shoulders square. “Then never again.”

“I’ll take what I can get.” He pulls away from the phone. At a distance, I hear him requesting my air transportation. Then curse. “Okay, the helicopter schedule doesn’t work, so a car will be to your house in an hour instead. You’ll be with me in around three hours.All I’m going to say is ‘strapped, locked, and loaded, are you ready to roll with Untamed Coaster?’” The phone disconnects to the sound of a whoop.

The exact words the band says before taking the stage tug at my heart. I can do this. I’ll remain strong, abiding by the professional ethical requirements. Even if the simple sound of his voice makes me want to strip off my clothes. And let him deep into my soul.

Standing, I say, “Providing him the best physical therapy will give At Your Service PT unprecedented advertising. Four locations won’t be able to handle all the patients.” It doesn’t matter our misguided history, I’m all about business from now on.

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