“Sure.” I put the car in drive and turn off my hazards.
We drive in silence, winding our way slowly through the back roads. I have tons of questions on my mind, leading with Why such a long walk? followed by Why don’t you want to go back to your parents’ house? Ending with, Do you ever think about me? Because I sure as hell think about you. But I stay quiet and focus on the roads.
When we get to Marina Ave, I let out a low breath, grateful for the wider roads, and I drive toward my house.
“I don’t know where you live; is that weird?” she asks, finally breaking the silence.
“I live in an apartment above the practice.”
“Really?” she asks, surprise in her voice. “I guess I never thought what could be on the upper level, but that makes sense.”
“It’s easier that way—only have to pay one mortgage.”
“Smart man.” She shifts on her seat. “You know, I’m going to be honest with you: my mud ass is getting all over your nice leather seats. I’m nervous to see what kind of damage I’ve done.”
I chuckle. “It’s fine. Really. I’m not worried. I’ve had worse in my cars. I actually helped a lady deliver a baby in the back seat once. The detailers at the body shop know me well, and I was due for a clean. This just gives me an excuse.” I drive up to the cream-colored Victorian house with sage-green and burnt-orange accents—the place I call home.
“I can, uh, give you money for it.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” I pull into the driveway looping around the back of the practice, where I’ve grown a peaceful garden full of colorful peonies. Last summer I installed a stone walkway that leads to a small bistro set canopied by a grove of overhanging ponderosa pines. “Your money’s no good here, but nice try.” I put the car in park and let the rain fill the silence for a few breaths. “Are you going to want to shower?”
“Would you mind if I did?”
“Not at all. Your cast is already wet, and it would be good to get you warmed up and get the mud off your ass. I have some clothes you can borrow. Warning: they will be large on you.”
“That means they’ll be comfortable.” She smiles softly.
“After that, we can reset your cast. We’re going to have to be extremely careful because it’s been a week, and resetting right now is not ideal.”
“I’ll be the best patient: still and a good listener.”
“Good.” I glance at the time on my watch. “Did you want me to take you back home after that . . . or did you want to stay longer?”
“Can I?” she asks, her perfectly moss-green eyes staring up at me, begging me.
“Of course. We can eat dinner or something . . . that’s if you’re hungry.”
“Starving.”
“Then it’s a plan. Stay right there, and I’ll help you out of the car.”
“You’re super gentle,” Palmer says as I carefully rewrap her wrist with cotton.
She took a quick shower, which was surprising. I somehow expected her to be in there longer, but she was in and out and popped out of my bathroom smelling like me and dressed in my clothes.
For a guy who has compared all girls to the one in front of him, it’s hard to see her in my clothes, to see her in a position that a girlfriend would take. Especially since I know there’s no way she’d ever look at me like that, regardless of my chin dimple. Not after everything we’ve been through.
“Are you saying I have good bedside manner?” I tease, focusing back on the present.
“I would say that you do. Your hands are even warm.”
“Keep the compliments coming. I’m loving them.”
She chuckles. “Your shampoo smells nice, and I’m shocked that your bathroom was spotless. I assumed a bachelor would have a nasty bathroom.”
“You assumed wrong,” I say, snipping the cotton. “What kind of guys have you been hanging out with?”
“All the wrong ones,” she says while I prepare the fiberglass wrap.
“So, you’re saying no one has tickled your fancy while traveling around the world?”
“Who our age says ‘tickled your fancy’？”
“Apparently doctors with warm hands and good bedside manners.” I wink, and she smiles.
“No, I haven’t.” She continues to hold still while I wrap her up. “I think everyone assumes I’ve had this glamorous life, traveling from country to country, eating delicious food, dining with celebrities, wearing designer brands. And yes, it’s been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I know I’m quite lucky with all the places I’ve seen and the people I’ve met, but I’ve also spent that time traveling alone. There are a lot of isolated nights, way more than the nights full of company.”