Page 67 of Walker

“I’ll see you guys later.” I lean up and kiss Darren, hugging him from the back seat and slide out behind Walker. “Call us if you need anything okay?” He tugs on a strand of my hair.

“Yes, sir.”

There goes those wild eyes he gives me when he hears me call him that. “Get your ass in there before I kidnap you.” He taps me on the ass slightly and that sends me running for the office.

I look back and wave at them one last time, blowing them a kiss. Walker is getting in the passenger seat.

Erin, my secretary, is standing next to the window. “Did I just catch you spying?” I ask, shutting the door.

“I can’t help it. I just want to see how they drop you off every day and bask in my jealousy.” She sits down in her chair, pulling up to her desk. “You don’t have too many clients today but I did book in a new client for you. She has called for weeks asking to get in and you had a cancellation.”

“That’s fine, thank you, Erin.”

I pause. “One day Erin you will find your person or persons, when you least expect it, it will happen. I have no doubt of that.” I lean over and hug her.

She hugs me back. “I know, sometimes I just get lonely. I have no family, just you.”

My eyes start burning. “Erin, that was so sweet, you’re mine too!” I hug her a little tighter.

She grew up in foster care her whole life. She never had a steady home life until she moved to town, and we have gotten close the last few weeks after I hired her for my new office.

My therapy rooms are very comfortable, with couches, blankets, snacks, whatever they need to be comfortable. I have had some clients just come in and take naps on the couch where they feel safe.

I sit down in my chair with my iPad to see who my first client is and see it’s a child. I gather toys, putting them on the coffee table in front of the couch, a sketch pad, coloring book. Seeing kids is the hardest part of my job but the most important; their minds at this age can shape their whole lives. The door opens and I plaster on my professional face. “Hi Adelyn!” I say encouragingly. I nod to her mom who is the one who brought her in.

Lunch is here before I know it. I walk out of my office after disinfecting and cleaning up. I see my guys walking in right on time with four small bags. “Here, Erin.” Walker sets one of the small bags in front of her.

“How sweet, thank you.” She looks at me and I can tell she sees how precious they are.

I kiss both of their cheeks, happy to see them even though it’s only been a few hours. “What did you bring me?” I open the bag about to cry at the sight of cheese fries and a burger.

I hug the bag to my chest. “This is the best gift you have ever given me.”

They laugh. “You’re a mess.” Darren pulls out my seat, helping me sit down and pulling the table up to me. I take one of the cheese fries dipping it in the ranch, taking a bite. “I love you both.” I shake my head at how good this is.

“I feel kind of bad, let me ask Erin to come in and eat with us,” I tell them, thinking about her eating all alone at her desk.

“I’ll get her.” Walker stands and opens the door asking her if she wants to join us. She gets up with her bag and sits down beside me.

“So do you guys have any single friends for Erin?” I ask, wiggling my eyebrows at her.

Darren chuckles. “I do have some guys I served with who are single.”

Walker eyes her. “Most of my friends are not law-abiding citizens.” Her eyes light up at that. “You know us girls are suckers for the bad boys.”

Walker sits back, his arms crossed. “Is that so, Summer?” he asks me.

I let my fry plop back down onto the bag. “I’m not in on this. You guys found me so.” I shrug, taking a bite of my burger.

“Walker, she is not paying attention to us, she is in love with her food right now.” He brings a napkin up to my face, wiping my mouth. “Will you both still love me if I’m fat?” The thought has me putting down my burger.

“What the fuck, Summer,” Walker growls at me. “That’s a shitty thing to say, I will never stop loving you, baby. You’re beautiful always, but especially growing our baby. Those changes to your body make it special because it’s from carrying her.”

My bottom lip trembles. “That was so nice.” I cry into my hand; I’m so emotional. “She cried earlier when the ASPCA commercial came on, Sarah McLachlan is a killer.”

They sigh and scoot over to me so they can hold me, I can’t help it. I then start laughing at me being so stupid. “Okay I’m better now.”

“I don’t like seeing those tears in your eyes, baby.” Walker kisses the tears away on my cheeks, smoothing my hair back from my face. “I can’t help it.” Right on cue from the front of the office, the song “Angel,” by Sarah McLachlan starts playing.

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