Sabrina

I got myself together for Dan’s second therapy session of the day. The trip to the mall really helped my mental state. Now I understand why some women find shopping therapeutic. And, while it cleared my head, I also ended up with a few bargains in the process. I’d say that’s better than sitting in a shrink’s office any day.

Dan finished the last of his leg raises and looked at me expectantly. The therapy session has been unusually quiet. Apparently, he’s not speaking to me because, aside from an occasional “okay” Dan hasn’t said a word.

“How does it feel?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Okay.”

I resisted the urge to scream, and just to give him something else to say, I decided to test his pain level. Grabbing his foot, I asked, “One to ten?”

“Four.”

We’d done this exercise enough that he knew what to expect. I moved his leg in a series of motions and got his feedback on each one.

“Well,” I said as I walked to the freezer and retrieved an ice cup. “It’s definitely getting better.” I knelt down next to him and moved the ice over his knee. “You didn’t go above a six, and that was only when I was really pushing you.”

Dan didn’t comment, though I felt his eyes boring into the top of my head. I wanted to look right back at him and scream, “What?” but I don’t think I really want to know. Plus, after the way I acted this morning, I really can’t complain about anything. I finished icing his knee in silence.

“Same time tomorrow?” I asked, eager to get away. When he didn’t answer, I looked over at him. Big mistake. His eyes were practically glowing, though not with the anger I had expected. I opened my mouth to pose the question again, but the words wouldn’t form. Even when Dan stood and walked toward me, I remained silent, my gaze locked on his.

As he stood directly in front of me, Dan’s eyes darkened and for a minute I thought he was going to kiss me. He leaned forward slightly then stopped, his brow creasing into a frown. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, then rubbed his hand across his forehead before meeting my gaze again.

“I want to thank you for taking Lexi shopping with you today,” he said, his voice husky. He cleared his throat and continued. “She talked about it for an hour and only stopped because I had to meet you for therapy.” A smile crossed his face. “I’m sure I’ll be hearing more about it when I get back upstairs.”

“No need to thank me,” I said and looked away before I got hypnotized by his smile. “I had a great time.”

“I don’t remember you being much of a shopper.”

“I’m usually not.” I shrugged. “I was just in the mood.”

He chuckled. “She told me she wants you to take her school shopping because you don’t hassle her.”

“She did mention that you give her a hard time with fashion.”

He nodded. “She says the clothes I pick out are babyish. But some of the things out there are so…” His brow furrowed as he searched for a word. “…small. There’s nothing to them. She’s eight years old for chrissake.”

Dan looked so outraged I actually burst out laughing.

“What?” he asked, around a scowl.

“You’re right, she is only eight. What are you going to do when she’s eighteen?”

He grasped his chest dramatically, then chuckled. “Don’t make me think about that.” His expression sobered. “I can’t believe how big she’s getting.” He held his hand up. “When she was born, she fit in the palm of my hand. I don’t know where the time went.”

“I think every parent feels that way. Hell, my father still calls me his baby girl. I’ve been begging Kevin to have a baby so that I’m not the baby anymore.”

“You’ll always be your dad’s baby girl.”

“I suppose.” Wanting to get off the subject of myself, I added, “I’d love to be a fly on the wall the first time a boy knocks on your door.”

“I’d better start practicing my scowls and dirty looks.”

“I think you’re intimidating enough without them.”

“Yeah?” He looked inordinately pleased.

I nodded. “You’ll have them shaking in their boots.”

“Good.”

“Lexi’s a good kid. I’m sure you won’t have to worry about the boys she brings home.” He grunted. I took that to mean he didn’t believe it. “She really is great. I had a lot of fun today.” He didn’t say anything, so I decided to voice the thoughts that had been bouncing around my head all afternoon. “I’m sorry about what I said, Dan.” His right brow raised, though I’m sure he knew exactly what I was talking about. “I know you wouldn’t use Lexi for any reason. She means too much to you and you…” I took a deep breath, “…you’re too good for that.”

“You really believe that?”

I nodded. “And I don’t think you’re an asshole.”

“No?” he asked on a chuckle.

“Hey, it was your word, not mine.”

“Yeah, it was.” His smile disappeared. “Thanks Bri, it means a lot.”

Again I nodded, afraid I wouldn’t be able to speak around the lump that had formed in my throat. When we’re not fighting, I’m so drawn to Dan it scares the hell out of me. He must have sensed that because he backed off. Literally. I found myself missing his warmth, his closeness.

“Are you going to be eating with us tonight?” he asked.

“I guess so.”

“I threw a pan of lasagna Mrs. Evans made before she left in the oven.”

“Sounds good.”

“Good, I’ll see you then.”

I watched him walk toward the stairs, then disappear. The professional in me noticed how much better he was moving around, but the woman in me couldn’t help but admire his ass.

It was then I realized how much trouble I was in. For some reason, despite all my reservations, despite everything, I’ve gone and fallen in love with Dan McMullen.

Again.

If I’d ever actually stopped.