She narrowed her gorgeous azure eyes. “I know you’re scared, but I feel like you might regret not taking this shot.” She bit her lip. “Just like I will probably regret it if I tell him I don’t want to work on his new album with him.”
I dropped my fork while my eyes dilated. “What? Did he really ask you to work on his new record?”
She smiled slyly. “Yeah, he did. He wants me to record a duet with him. Says he has the perfect song in mind.”
“You said yes, right?”
“I said I would think about it. I wanted to talk it over with Charles privately.”
“What did Beck say?”
“He wants me to do it. He actually wants me to focus on a music career. I told him no, of course.”
“Why, Call? You’re so amazing. Did you see how the crowd reacted to you? And one of country’s biggest stars is a fan of yours.”
She shrugged her shoulders and looked out the window. “I promised Momma I would take care of Noah. And I want a family with Charles.”
“You can do all those things and have a career in music.”
She turned back toward me and held up her hand with her index finger and thumb an inch apart. “Maybe . . . I can have a little one.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“I’m not sure. I’m scared to try again.”
I reached out for her. “Me, too.”
Chapter Seven
Dinner with Call was the making of another night of little sleep. I lay on my back and stared at the ceiling fan. I admired the rustic blades and the intricate pattern on the glass that covered the light fixture. It was a work of art. And a reminder of how much I loved this house that I had made my home. I liked being able to stare up at my own ceiling every night. But then I looked to my left at the empty space in my queen-sized bed. I ran my hand across the untouched pillows, they were cool to the touch. I missed sharing my bed. It had been a long time. Before I divorced or even separated from Danny, we weren’t sharing a bed. I couldn’t get over his betrayal.
I pulled up the covers more and curled into myself. Those thoughts still bothered me. They were made worse when he admitted to me at the end that he had been cheating on me for far longer than I knew. He wanted to shove the knife in deeper. Believe me, I felt it.
And now here I found myself drawn to a man that had proven he could lose control. I don’t know if he was an adulterer, but Danny said the first time he cheated on me he was so drunk he didn’t know what he was doing, like that would soften the blow.
I turned away from the empty space. I wasn’t going to think about Danny. He didn’t deserve the energy or the honor.
Cole easily entered my mind. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him?
I went for another run the next morning in my neighborhood. If this kept up, I would be in tip-top shape when it was all said and done. I found myself, again, running harder and longer than usual.
I was one of the first people to arrive at the clinic. I liked being early to organize my day and go over my schedule. The day looked pretty normal. It looked like I would be spending time in my designated treatment room and our gym. My first patient of the day was recovering from a stroke. I was working with Emory to regain his mobility and strength. He was frustrated he wasn’t already back to mowing the lawn and cleaning out the gutters on his roof. He was impatient with himself. His appointment would be exclusively in the gym, so after I had organized my day, I headed that way.
There were a couple of patients already in working with some of my colleagues. I greeted each of them before setting up a station for Emory. I was just about done when Zach, our business manager, rushed over to me. I was surprised to see him. There were actually days I didn’t see him at all, and if I did, it was rarely in the gym area. He was a shorter, stockier man who waddled slightly when he walked.
“Jillian, can I speak to you in my office?” His rounded red face was beaming. I noticed he had a little more bounce in his step.
“Sure, if it’s quick. I have a patient set to arrive in ten minutes.”
He didn’t say anything other than to turn around and walk toward his office. I guess that meant I was supposed to follow, so I did. I was more than curious. I don’t think Zach had ever requested to see me. I think once upon a time he had worked as a physical therapist, but now he was strictly over the business side of it all, which is why I rarely saw him.
Zach led me into his posh office. I guess maybe this was where the big bucks were made.
“Please have a seat.”
He rushed to take his chair behind his desk. He had this excited energy buzzing around him. It at least made me feel like I didn’t have anything to worry about. Unless he got excited when he fired people. Though I considered myself a model employee and my patients all seemed happy, but I had been blindsided before. Maybe some small nerves creeped in.
He got right to business. “Do you know who Dr. Peter Jenner is?”
I thought for a second. I shook my head no.
Zach’s face broke out in a smile. “He’s the doctor to some of Nashville’s more famous residents, makes house calls and everything.”
I nodded. “That makes sense. I’m sure that’s appreciated.”
“Confidentiality is key, as you can understand, I’m sure.”
Believe me, I could. “Yes.” For a moment I felt ill. I thought maybe this had something to do with Danny. We had seen some of those doctors who made house calls, trying to keep Danny’s problem under wraps. I realize now how I enabled him.
“This is why I called you in. Dr. Jenner left me a message late last night . . .”
Here it came. Why wouldn’t Danny just go away? I gripped the edge of my seat.
“ . . . after he saw Cole Pendleton.”
I gasped. Not expecting that. I moved forward in my chair.
Zach’s large grin said he valued my reaction, though I’m sure he mistook it. “It appears that Mr. Pendleton is need of our services, apparently he’s experiencing some neck and back pain. And . . .” His smile now overtook his whole face. “His doctor has specifically requested you.” He tilted his head. “Do you have any idea why?”
I didn’t outright lie, but I shook my head no. What else could I do? I wasn’t going to tell one of my bosses that I had made out with Cole Pendleton on a plane.
“Well, regardless, he will be in today at one.”
I was so stunned, I couldn’t string two words together, or move.
“This could be big for us, so I’m counting on you.”
“But . . . I have another patient to see at one. Maybe Derick can take him.” Four breaths in, six breaths out. Don’t panic.
“Not a problem. I already had Marcie change your schedule.”
Now, you can panic. “Are you sure? He could probably find a physical therapist to come to him.”
“Ms. Jones, this is a huge honor for our clinic. I thought you would be excited about this.”
“Well . . .”
“I know it might seem intimidating, but I have every confidence you can handle this.”
I’m glad he did. I felt like I was going to lose my breakfast. I stood up, albeit a little wobbly.
“Have a great day, Jillian.” With that, I was dismissed.
I walked in a daze back to the gym until it dawned on me—I had a rat in my midst and her name was Call. If only I had time to text her before my appointment. I made it a point to leave my phone in my office when I treated patients. I tried my best not to be distracted, but today that was going to be a futile goal.
I really don’t even remember working with Emory, but he gave me a hug when the appointment was over, so maybe it was passable. I ran to my office as soon as I saw him to the front desk to check out. Call was getting an earful.
Did you tell Cole where I worked? I waited impatiently for her reply. I hoped she wasn’t with a client.
It may have come up. Why?
Don’t be coy with me over text. He’s coming here. Here!
My phone rang and I immediately answered it. “Why? Just, why?”
“Calm down. He asked and you never said I couldn’t tell him.”
“You didn’t ask. I said he couldn’t have my number, why would you think this is okay?”
“Honestly, I didn’t really think about it. He casually asked during the course of our conversation.”
“Well, that’s great. Now he’s coming here for treatment. Claims his neck and back are hurting and his doctor called in his prescription to see us here, specifically me.”
“He must really have it bad for you.” She laughed.
“This is not funny. I can’t touch him.”
“You have before.”
“Thank you. I remember.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“My boss expects me to do a good job. To treat him like a royal patient.”
“You’re terrific at your job, so no problem.”
“Do you realize how much I touch some of my patients and where I have to touch them?”
“Oooo. This could be good.”
“Get your head out of the gutter, I’m not talking about that. But seriously, neck and back issues usually involve our male patients removing their shirts.”
“If I were you, I would be excited about that. I caught a glimpse of his chest and all I can say is yummy.”
“You’re not helping me. I’m a professional.”
“Yeah, a lucky one.”
“Go do some squats or something.”
“I love you, too.”
I hung up on her.
The rest of my morning was a blur.
I sat in my office at fifteen minutes before one, hyperventilating and reading my copy of Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Like somehow I forgot how to assess and treat neck and back pain, two of the most common things we see. I had to remind myself where the thoracic and cervical regions of the spine were. This wasn’t going to be pretty. And speaking of pretty, I wasn’t looking my finest. I was wearing my normal red logo t-shirt and some black athletic pants. My hair was pulled up in a ponytail. At least my skin was glowing from the sun over the weekend, and I had put on some mascara.
I kept trying to think of ways to get out of this without being a complete liar. But Zach kept coming around and giving me a thumbs up. And he was a busy bee making sure the clinic looked its finest. No one understood why he was in such a tizzy. I guess he wanted to keep it under wraps. Though I was pretty sure people were going to notice when Cole Pendleton came in. Unless he had arranged to be snuck in through the back or something. Zach had mentioned they weren’t adding him to the system until he came in, which was any moment now.
I could do this. Right? Maybe?
Call texted. Be nice. Warm up those hands. Put some lip gloss on.
I rolled my eyes and didn’t respond, but the lip gloss wasn’t a bad call. I had already brushed my teeth and popped several mints in my mouth. When I said up close and personal, I meant it. I had never once been attracted to a client. I’d had some very nice looking clients, like Beck’s best friend, but he was married and I wasn’t attracted to him. But Cole was a whole other story. I had never been so drawn to another human being before. I wasn’t even sure he was the best looking man on the planet, but it was his whole persona. It got to me. And the sexy way he spoke and sang didn’t help.
My office phone rang. I knew it was Marcie from the front desk. “Jillian.” She sounded out of breath. “Jillian, oh my word, Jillian.”
“Are you okay?”
“Oh, yes, yes. It’s just, your one o’clock is here and it’s . . .”
“Cole Pendleton.”
“Yes! Oh my, he’s better looking in person.”
“Thank you, Marcie. What treatment room is he in?”
“Room two, closest to your office.”
The thought of him being so close almost unhinged me. It’s not that I didn’t want to see him again. I wanted to. A lot. That was the problem. And after what Call had said last night, I had a feeling this was more than an office visit.
I threw on a layer of lip gloss, took as many breaths as I could, maybe said a silent prayer, then I made myself move.
Zach was standing outside the door, I’m sure acting as a guard. Again, most people in Nashville were pretty used to seeing the Cole’s of the world around, but you couldn’t be too cautious. And Zach seemed determined to make sure Cole’s visit was nothing short of perfection. No pressure on my end.
Zach gave me a salute and stepped out of the way.
I gave my obligatory knock on the door before opening it. Now, going in was something altogether different. My body was at war again, half for it, half against.
“Go on now.” Zach shooed me in.
At least the choice was taken away from me.
I hurried in before I changed my mind. I shut the door before I looked up, and there he was, sitting in the middle of the treatment bed, dangling his long legs and wearing an illegal grin along with a tight button-down shirt and jeans.
“Doc.”
I stood up as tall as my five-foot-seven frame would allow me to. “Mr. Pendleton.” My heart raced.
“Cole, remember?”
“I do.” My whole body trembled. I did manage to take my seat and pull up his record on the laptop in the room.
“How are you?”
I turned toward him. “I’m supposed to ask you that.”
“We’ll get there.”
I smiled. “I’m good.” Not really.
He matched my own smile and the room suddenly felt warmer and lighter.
“So, tell me what brings you in today.” I rolled my stool closer to him, but not too close.
His aqua eyes danced with amusement. He placed his hand over his heart. “It started here.”
“Have you had chest pains? I’m not a cardiologist or even an MD.”
“Settle down, doc. Physically my heart is as healthy as ever.”
“That’s good news. So tell me what kind of pain you’re having there and are you experiencing pain anywhere else?”
“It’s kind of hard to explain, but ever since I’ve felt this ache in my chest, I’m having a hard time sleeping. I toss and turn a lot.” He rubbed his neck.
I could relate. I scooted closer. “And this is causing problems in your neck?”
He nodded.
“How long has this been going on?”
His smile almost resembled a smirk. “About ten months.”
Our eyes met.
“Is that so?” That didn’t sound very professional, but like I said, I had my suspicions.
“Honest to goodness truth.”
“Tell me how you would rate your pain on a scale of zero to ten, ten being the worst.”
“It gets pretty bad, doc.” He ran his hand over his heart again. “Ten at least.”
“That’s bad. Are some times worse or better than others?”
He was definitely smirking. “This past weekend it flared up the worst it’s been in months. That’s why I called Doc Jenner.”
“How did you survive?”
“Now, doc, are you teasing me?”
“No. I really want to know. It sounds awful.” An awful lot like what I had.
He leaned forward and rested his hands on his knees. “Well, Jillian Jones, I got through knowing I would get to see you today. I told Doc Jenner you would know how to fix me up just right.”
“Your faith in me may be unfounded.”
“I don’t think so.”
“This could be painful.”
He looked me squarely in the eye. “Bring it on.”
My heart hiccupped. I stood up. “I’m going to take some measurements and then maybe we’ll do some soft tissue mobilization.”
“I don’t know what you just said, but it sounds good to me.”
I didn’t bother responding to the faker. I grabbed my goniometer to measure his range of motion. Though I had a feeling I wasn’t going to find anything amis
s other than him making things up.
“I’m going to lower the bed, so hold on.”
“You never did say if you liked the concert.”
Why did he have to bring that up? I figured he would, but was hoping for the best. I stood behind him and centered the goniometer on his right shoulder joint. “It was fantastic. Can you raise your right arm forward and up?”
He did so with ease. His range of motion was normal, at one hundred and seventy degrees. “I was disappointed you left.”
“You can put your arm down. I’m sorry. I . . . I needed some air and to think.” I moved to his left side. “Left arm forward and up please.”
Again, he did so with ease. “Did I do something to upset you?”
“Not at all.”
He turned back toward me. “It’s just people like me.”
“Yeah.”
“So it’s me, not you.”
I smiled. “You could say that.”
“Ah, doc, I love that smile of yours.”
“You shouldn’t flirt with me while I’m at work.”
He grinned. “I’ll behave . . . for now.” He turned back around.
“I’m going to touch your neck. Is that okay?”
“You can touch me anywhere. Sorry. I’m behaving.”
I had to stifle my laugh. And my desire to run my hand up his neck and into his hair. I touched his skin and oh, how I had missed it. I was pleased to see his skin raise. I guessed he missed my touch, too. “Your neck feels a little tight. Any pain there, or headaches?”
“Once in a while.”
“Are you having any pain there now?”
“A little.”
“What would you rate it?”
“Two.”
“What’s the worst it has been?”
“Maybe three.”
“Do you lift or carry heavy items regularly?”
“Just my guitar.”
“You might want to look at getting a more ergonomically friendly case and strap.”
“You want to help me pick one out?”
“I can make some recommendations for you.”
“I would need you to come with me.”
“Are you flirting again?”
“If you have to ask, that’s bad.”
“Anyway. You said you aren’t sleeping well. Is it a problem with your mattress or pillow?”
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