“Adi’s starting physical therapy tomorrow,” I said as I watched them work. “The doctor says we’re going to have to work hard but that she’ll be back to her old self in no time.”
“That’s great news.” My sister grinned, glancing at Adi while stirring something into her fancy concoction. “Are you looking forward to it, sweetheart? You must be eager to get started.”
Adi nodded, her eyes lighting up as she spoke about our day on Tuesday. “It’s going to be so cool to get to spend time there. You should see the place. It’s awesome. Hunter and Doctor Chris are pretty cool, too. I like them.”
“Who’s Hunter and Doctor Chris?” she asked before bringing the spatula to her lips and smiling softly once she’d tasted the sauce on it. “I think I’ve finally perfected this recipe.”
“Good for you,” I said, but my sister didn’t miss my sarcasm. Katie and I were opposites in every way except for one. We were both single and planning on keeping it that way.
I’d always been the loud, brash one with the broken filter while she was refined—or uptight, as I liked to call her—and had so many layers of filters over her mouth that she never said a single word wrong.
Katie wore the finest linens she could afford on her salary as the editor of an online fashion magazine. She worked from her medium-sized but well-appointed apartment but still wore her hair up every day and belonged to a book club that didn’t just get together to drink and talk shit.
Like every girl in their group actually read every book and then discussed it at length. It was ridiculous. And really, really boring.
I, on the other hand, liked faded blue jeans and leather jackets from thrift stores. My apartment was smaller than hers and furnished from garage sales and hand-me-downs. I cursed like a man, drank beer like a frat boy, and hadn’t yet met a book I’d managed to finish.
Having Adi had calmed me down and forced me to grow the hell up, but I liked to think motherhood hadn’t changed the core of who I was. It had just forced me to be the more responsible version of that person.
But despite our differences, Katie was my best friend aside from Luna. She glared at me for my comment about her perfect recipe but then brought the subject back to Adi’s therapy. “I’m assuming this Chris is going to be treating you, and this Hunter person works for him?”
“Chris was also the doctor who recognized Adi on the day of the accident,” I said, and she nodded. “Hunter was the one who called me.”
“So you know them then?” She kept stirring and tasting as she went, but I knew she was paying close attention to me. Her back was ramrod straight, which was this weird tell she had when she was listening.
“I don’t know them per se. I’ve met them a few times, and I’ve obviously spoken to them since the accident, but I wouldn’t say I know them.”
She cocked her head as she sprinkled some pepper into the pot. “Is the doctor any good?”
“Yeah, he’s the best,” I said. “I’ve heard so much about him and now I know why. His reputation precedes him, but it’s a good one.”
Katie whirled around and pointed her wooden spoon at me. “Are you gushing, April Adams?”
“No.” My eyes widened as I pressed my hand to my chest. “Who are you talking to? I’d never gush over a man. I don’t gush, no matter how attractive, smart, or kind a guy is.”
Her nostrils flared, and her chin dropped. “Might I remind you that these trips to see this doctor are for Adi’s benefit, not yours?”
I laughed her off, waving my hand in front of me. “Your reminder is received but not necessary. Nothing’s going to happen there.”
“You were gushing about him.” She gave me a stern look. “One does not gush about a man if one isn’t attracted to him.”
I rolled my eyes at her. “Thanks, professor.”
“I’m being serious, April. You’re going to be seeing him regularly. What are you going to do if he comes onto you?”
“He won’t,” I assured her, taking another sip of my tea. “Trust me. I’m way too poor for this guy. He’s an honest to God billionaire. There won’t be a Pretty Woman life for me. You have nothing to worry about.”
Her brows climbed up to her hairline. “Are you serious right now? Your best friend married one of the city’s richest and most unattainable bachelors. If anyone should know these things can happen in real life, it ought to be you.”
“Jeez, would you relax?” I asked. “I’m not Luna and Chris isn’t Cyrus. Chris seems like a genuinely good guy, which, as you might remember, Cyrus was not. He was a first-class dick before he fell for Luna. Hell, he still is to anyone outside of the inner circle.”
“And as for you not being Luna?” She narrowed her eyes at me. “You can’t tell me it’s impossible that you’ll fall in love with a billionaire of your very own.”
My eyes rolled again. It was a serious problem I had while I was in my sister’s company. “Luna was looking for someone to fall in love with. I’m not.”
“Good.” She raised the spatula again. “Because you should be done with men after everything Craig has done to you.”
“To be fair to him, Chris isn’t Craig, either.” I knew I should’ve let the subject drop, but I felt like I owed it to him to defend him. “He’ll just never fall for a bitter, bitchy, poor girl like me.”
She didn’t talk me up, knowing it wasn’t self-esteem issues speaking. “Just be careful, okay? That kind of money could make it even more tempting to fall for him.”
My jaw nearly unhinged itself. “Do you honestly think I’d fall for him because he’s rich? Trust me. If I fell for him, it would be for his looks or his laugh.”
“I know you won’t go for him for his money, but you can’t deny it’d be a nice bonus.” She glanced at Adi, who shouldn’t have been hearing any of this. Unfortunately, Katie didn’t believe in treating kids—or young ladies, in her words—like mushrooms.
She subscribed to the idea that keeping them in the dark and feeding them shit meant they would become so used to shit that they’d keep eating it up into their adult lives. While I tried to shield Adi from some things, I also tried to be as honest with her as I could about everything else.
I thrust my chin into the air and refused to even acknowledge her last comment. “Speaking of money, I need to get back to work. Adi’s going to be missing some more school because of her therapy. Do you think you’d be able to help us out every now and then?”
“Of course,” she said, lifting her hand to high-five her niece. “It’ll be fun. It’s always better around here when you are, too.”
For all her faults, my sister loved Adi like she was her own. Between her and Luna, I knew I’d never have to worry about Adi. All I had to do was ask for help if I needed one of them to watch her, and I knew I’d have a taker.
I never took advantage of their willingness, though, which made it easier to ask when it was really necessary. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Watching as Katie started to talk Adi through the meal she was cooking, there was a familiar pang in my heart. As much as Katie didn’t want a man, she did want children. And she’d be a great mother.
My experience had jaded her almost as much as it had me, though. Combined with her naturally wary personality and a few scumbag exes, Katie had given up on love right along with me.
Luna’s fairytale relationship and wedding must still have been fucking with my brain because I suddenly wondered if Katie was making a mistake. I’d been burned too badly to ever believe in love for myself again, but she could still have it.
“You know, there may still be a man out there for you,” I said. “If you think money would be a nice bonus, I’d bet we could find you a Pretty Woman experience of your own.”
Katie didn’t give me any response other than to flip me off behind her back, making sure Adi’s attention was on the stove.
Yeah, maybe I could’ve phrased that better.
Damn it. One of these days, I really ha
d to look into getting myself a fucking filter. My mouth was bound to get me in trouble sooner or later.
Chapter 9
CHRIS
“Adi’s coming in for her first session today,” I said when Hunter and I walked out of the break room. I sipped my sludge and turned my head to face him. “We have to take good care of them, okay? April is one of our own. They deserve the five-star treatment.”
“So you’ve said. Repeatedly.” He made a face like he’d sucked on a lemon, then laughed at me. “Don’t we give everyone the five-star treatment? I know I do.”
“You know what I mean.” I nodded at two nurses who walked past us. They waved before bending their heads together and giggling about something.
Hunter raised his brows at me. “I don’t actually. Do you really only give a patient your all if they’re hospital staff? Because if so, you really should’ve told me we were doing that.”
“You’re so full of shit.” I lifted my mug and pushed into the therapy room with my shoulder, turning away from the door so I wouldn’t spill the scalding-hot liquid. “Every patient gets my best. I’m just saying that we need to make sure Adi gets exactly that.”
“Does this have anything to do with a certain mother who will likely be coming in with her?” Amusement glinted in his eyes when he shot me a look before going to grab her file.
“Of course not,” I said, but he just rolled his eyes at me. “Why are you giving me a hard time about this? All I said was to take care of our patient. Why is that so strange?”
“Because you don’t say it before every patient.” He smirked. “In fact, you’ve only ever said it about this one. It just makes me wonder why.”
“Nothing to—” I was interrupted by the door opening.
Adi appeared first, her smile wide and excited. April followed her in, seemingly always only one step behind her daughter.
My palms suddenly felt sweaty. April looked way too appealing with her hair pulled up into a messy bun, tendrils of it framing her delicate face. She wore jeans, a black tank top, and a deep red poncho that was knitted so loosely I saw the top she wore beneath it. I also saw the curves the shirt clung to, and my mind momentarily got stuck on them.
Hunter giving Adi a fist bump jerked my mind back to reality. “Hey, kid. You ready to get started?”
“So ready.” She beamed up at him before turning toward me. “Hi, Chris. Mom said we’re going to work hard today.”
“That, we are.” I forced moisture into my dry mouth before addressing April. “I’m glad you guys came in. Are you staying, or do you need to get to work?”
“I’m staying for this session,” she replied, not even trying to mask the worry tightening her brow. “Just to be clear, this therapy of yours isn’t going to hurt, is it?”
Adi came to stand next to her mom, looking up at me with apprehension in her gaze. I dropped into a crouch in front of her without hesitating, focusing my attention fully on my patient.
“There’s nothing to worry about. Some of the exercises might be a little uncomfortable at first, but they shouldn’t cause any pain.”
She sank her teeth into her lower lip but nodded. April put a hand on her shoulder, taking half a step closer to her. “I’ll be right here, baby. If it hurts, just tell me.”
I glanced up at her, wishing there was something more I could do to reassure her other than the smile I offered. “We won’t push her, April. Don’t worry. Let’s have a chat before we start.”
She dipped her chin in acknowledgment, then followed me to the mats where Hunter was already waiting. He got a short stool for Adi to sit on and motioned for April to have a seat on the bench of a leg-press machine.
Once they were settled, both Hunter and I sat down on the stack of yoga mats. He passed me Adi’s file, but I didn’t need to look inside it. The details of her injury were burned into my mind.
“We like to start by talking our patients through what they can expect from their sessions with us,” I said. “It helps ease the mind.”
“You’re sure it won’t hurt?” Adi asked, letting me see past her I’m-a-tough-kid exterior again.
I nodded, motioning to the state-of-the-art machines placed at even intervals around the cavernous room. “All of these were designed to help us help our patients without hurting them. We won’t ever risk further injury. Anything that causes you pain as opposed to discomfort would be risking further injury, so your mom is right. If you feel any pain, let us know, okay?”
“Do you have any questions so far?” Hunter asked, slow and measured like we had all the time in the world. Which we did really.
Even if we didn’t get around to doing any therapy today and we only gave them the information they needed to feel comfortable before coming back, that was fine too.
Adi shook her head, but April narrowed her eyes as she gazed around the room. “What will you be doing then?”
“For today?” Hunter and I exchanged a look. “It’s simple really. Stretches.”
“Stretches?” Her narrowed gaze slid to mine and her arms crossed over her chest. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Hunter stood up to demonstrate, beckoning with his hand for Adi to join him. “People underestimate the value of stretching. Come on. Come stand up with me.”
She glanced at her mother, who nodded her encouragement before she joined him. I stood too, eager to see how she would handle what I knew was coming.
After Hunter led her through some light stretches, both April and Adi seemed to relax. The little girl didn’t wince or flinch once, which was a good sign.
I smiled. “That was great, Adi. Your recovery is going to go very well.”
“You can tell that after a few stretches?” April asked, but her tone wasn’t fearful or disbelieving any longer. It wasn’t even biting. Now she just sounded curious.
“You’d be surprised how much I can tell from a few stretches. You could join in if you wanted to. These are good for anyone.”
She chuckled, shaking her head as she kicked her long legs out in front of her and crossed them at the ankles. “I’m fine with just watching, but thanks for the offer.”
“Anytime.” I went to stand behind Adi. “Okay, now I’m going to take your arm and extend it to your side. When it’s in position, I’ll let go and then I want you to see how long you can hold it there.”
She nodded and gave me her arm, which I lifted until it was at a ninety-degree angle to her little body. “Remember, when I let go, you hold it there.”
I’d barely moved my hands away when the arm fell back to her side. Adi’s lip trembled and April’s eyes clouded over again. Stepping forward, I looked at both of them in turn. “Hey, now. There’s no getting discouraged in here. We’ll keep working on it, all right? Let’s get down on the floor.”
Hunter tossed three yoga mats off the stack, and each of us took one at Adi’s sides. I showed what I wanted her to try, then nearly got knocked on my ass at the unexpected question she asked.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” She watched me intently while I wobbled on one knee, totally taken aback and caught off guard.
I recovered fast, though. “No, why?”
“Mom was talking about you,” she said as she got on her hands and knees to get into the position I’d shown her. “But she said she was too poor for you and that she’s not a pretty woman.”
My brows shot up along with my gaze, which landed on April’s flaming cheeks. She refused to meet my eyes, choosing to focus on her daughter instead. “Haven’t we had the conversation about keeping girl talk quiet?”
Adi shrugged. “I didn’t know it was girl talk.”
Hunter was shaking with silent laughter, but he’d folded his massive body into the child’s pose in an attempt to hide it. My interest was piqued, though. “How did I become the subject of girl talk and what’s this about you not being a pretty woman?”
I got the movie reference. I just wanted to see how she would react. When her gaze finally flitted over to
mine, holding it for just a beat before it dropped to inspect her nails, her green eyes were filled with something between mortification and amusement.
“My sister asked about you,” she said. “It was nothing. This is just my daily reminder of what a child can absorb when you think they’re really not paying attention.”
Hunter rolled out of his pose, grinning at the ceiling and propping his hands underneath his head. “This is such an interesting session. What else did your mom say?”
Adi’s nose wrinkled. “She said—”
“Shut it,” April snapped jokingly, widening her eyes at her daughter. “Do they look like girls to you?”
Adi’s warm brown eyes came to me first, then went to Hunter before she shook her head. “Nope.”
“Then we don’t tell them what was said when we were having girl talk.” She smiled sweetly. “Now, weren’t you in the middle of something?”
“We were,” I said, even though I was burning to know what else had been said about me. I never would’ve thought that she’d discuss me with anyone at all, much less that I would’ve been the subject of classified girl talk.
I’d gotten the general gist of it from Adi’s comments, though. If I was correct, then I needed to set the record straight at some point. Money, or lack thereof, had never been a deciding factor in who I dated and never would be.
As for the movie reference, well, not every guy with money who got involved with a woman without any could be equated to that story. April wasn’t a hooker, for starters. But also, I wasn’t interested in paying anyone for their company. Surely, that set us apart from the movie.
Even so, April avoided my gaze for the rest of the session and I didn’t get a chance to speak with her privately to let her know what I thought.
We kept explaining what they could expect, showed some basic exercises Adi could start with at once, and made sure to answer all their questions.
When our hour was up, April hopped off the bench and finally looked at me again.
She’s Mine Now Page 6
