Graham stretched his legs under the table. “It’s good. I go three times a week and they’re happy with my progress. I can walk on it without restriction, but can’t do high impact things like running. Mountain biking’s still too rough, too.”
“Could you go on a hike? If it was an easier route?”
“I think so.” He’d thought about heading up to the mountains for something just like that, but kept finding reasons not to go. Going alone and taking an easy route didn’t hold the same appeal, and he didn’t want to bring his friends down with him.
His lack of enthusiasm probably had something to do with depression, too, which was hopefully temporary. He’d seemed to find a lot of reasons to stay in instead of hanging out with Noah or going out to eat with Chris.
“Wanna go hiking at Waterton Canyon tomorrow?”
Graham sighed. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Offer a pity trip. I know you’d rather climb or hike a more challenging trail.”
Noah shook his head. “Nah. I love that stuff, sure. But it’s a lot less fun without you.”
Graham scratched at his jaw, ignoring the warmth settling in his chest. “Really?”
“Yeah. It’s been two months since we’ve done anything outside together, that pit stop at the tourist spot excluded. Turns out I miss hanging out with you. Who knew?”
“I don’t know why you seem so surprised. I’m a fucking delight.”
“Sunshine personified,” Noah deadpanned. “So put me out of my misery and come hiking with me tomorrow, okay?”
Graham rolled his eyes. “Fine.”
“Good. I’ll come by to pick you up at nine.”
“Fine,” Graham said again.
Noah cracked a smile.
“Good.”
27
One month later
It had been one of those days.
The ER was packed from the second Claire walked in to the moment she made her way back to her car. She’d officially transitioned and her responsibilities as an NP were different than they used to be as a nurse, but it definitely wasn’t easier.
She didn’t mind being busy, but it just so happened several things had reminded her of Graham today, which threw her off-kilter.
She’d spent the past month thinking, healing, and giving a relationship with Matt the dentist a fair shot.
He was as hot in person as his picture portrayed. Even better, he was as kind and funny in person as he’d been through messaging. He’d also been very up front about his divorce, which had been finalized a year ago, and no current girlfriends showed up to interrupt their first date. It was going surprisingly well.
As far as getting over Graham, some days were easier than others. But this past week in particular Claire had actually felt the possibility that she might be moving past what happened.
Which was why everything that happened today was so irritating. Could the universe not let her move on?
First, she saw Marvin, which sent her back to the night Graham had witnessed their good-night kiss. Which then shifted her memory to her first kiss with Graham, which had been incredible. Her traitorous heart compared it to her first kiss with Matt, which, while it had been sweet and surprisingly pleasant, had no hope of toppling Graham from first place on her list of Best First Kisses.
She saw Dr. Mackey, the orthopedic surgeon who’d done Graham’s surgery the day of the accident, and he stopped to ask her how Graham was doing. Too embarrassed to say she didn’t know, she lied and said he was doing great.
She didn’t know if he was great or not. She hadn’t even let herself ask Mia if she’d seen or talked to him. The one time she had, the week he’d moved out, it had been too painful. He should have been out of his cast for two months by now. Was he walking normally? Going into the mountains with that breathtaking smile on his face, using the fresh air and adventure to forget about her and what happened?
Then, a firefighter came in. Turned out to be a sprained ankle from playing volleyball at the station, but anytime she saw someone brought back in that navy uniform her heart temporarily ceased beating.
Have you considered you’ll have the same reaction for the rest of your life, whether you’re with Graham or not? You let yourself get in too deep, and you’ll never go back.
She frowned at the thought as she walked to her car, telling her subconscious to shut the hell up. Her phone rang just as she tossed her purse onto the passenger seat and she dug it out before starting the ignition.
She glanced at the screen and winced, knowing she couldn’t keep avoiding her best friend.