Healing Touch: Play Doctor, Book 2 (6 page)

“About what?”

“Is this typical?” She tipped her head up to look at him. In the dim stairwell, her eyes looked huge and innocent. So much of her life had been unusual, she had no point of reference for normalcy.

“What?” He had to make sure he understood her question.

“Going to lunch with a client?” Brielle called him out. “The things we’re talking about now… Are they for the case or because you want to know?”

“Ah, that.” He shook his head. “Nothing about today has been standard for me. No, I very rarely, if ever, interact with my patients outside of my clinic. It’s important for my clients to know that we are not friends.”

“Oh.” She bit her lip, quiet for a few more flights before nodding. “I understand. It makes sense.”

“To be honest, Brielle, I like you. I admire your strength. Maybe someday, when you no longer need my services, we could reevaluate that boundary.”

“I think I would enjoy that.” She skipped down the next step and three more, picking up speed until he had trouble keeping up with her spritely bouncing. Ahead of him, she ducked through the door to the second floor.

“Brielle, we still have another flight,” he called after her.

“I know. I’d like to take the elevator.” She smiled over her shoulder before pausing. “Unless that’s dumb. It’s only one floor.”

“No, that’s not in any way silly.” He smiled wide at her as they rounded the corner toward the elevator. “It’s fantastic. I’m proud of you.”

“I haven’t actually done it yet.” Her finger shook when she poked the button.

Luke cupped her shoulders in his hands and turned her to face him. “Listen to what I’m saying. You’re safe. There is nothing that can hurt you in there. The doors will open as soon as we’re down one floor. I’ll be with you. Keep breathing. Focus on your heartbeat and making it steady. Then I want you to say this to yourself: I’m okay. This is temporary. I’m not trapped in here. I’m okay…”

She joined him in practicing the mantra. They’d repeated it about twenty times before the bell signaled the car’s arrival.

Brielle stiffened instantly beneath his palms. “You don’t have to do this. Only what you’re comfortable with. There’s always next time.”

The doors began to slide closed with them still on the outside.

“No!” She jabbed the arrow again. When the opening was at its widest, she latched on to his arm, dragged him inside with her and closed her eyes. A deep breath expanded her slender ribs, enhancing the swell of her breasts. As she exhaled, she began to chant aloud. “I’m fine. This is just temporary. We are not locked in here. I am safe. You are with me.”

Luke didn’t mind her revisions. Whatever kept her calm and began to coach her consciousness into accepting the truth was fine with him.

Brielle did such a great job, she didn’t seem to notice when the car slowed and the doors slid apart, welcoming them to the lobby.

“We’re here.” He tapped her on the shoulder.

“What? Already?” She looked up at him and grinned, then did the cutest little conga he’d ever seen in his life out of the elevator.

And in that instant he knew they had some major problems. Because despite every oath he’d ever sworn, he wanted one of his patients.

Brielle launched herself at him, giving him no time to do more than react. He caught her in his arms and used their momentum to swing her around, instead of crashing to the floor in an undignified pile of limbs. “I did it!”

“Yes, you did.” He hugged her tight before setting her onto her tiptoes. Did she have to smell so delicious? “Congratulations.”

“Same to you.” They grinned as they passed a bewildered Mrs. Allerton. “You’re amazing, Luke.”

The way his name flew off her tongue, familiar and reverent, stirred something deep inside him. So did the confidence in her bearing when she marched to the revolving door, tucked into one of the cubbies and shoved right through her fears.

Brielle floated alongside Luke as he led her to one of his favorite cafes. She couldn’t believe how much hope he’d bestowed in such a short amount of time. Sure, she was messed up. Majorly. It would take time and an enormous amount of energy to make real progress. Still, she actually believed it could work.

If only she’d tried this years ago.

Regret had no place at the table with them. She shoved it away. The reality was she hadn’t been ready. Hiding in Brad’s house had been a convenient excuse. She could see that now. And if she had reached out for help, she likely would not have found Luke or a counselor as well suited to her.

His light, gentle style mixed with some smart-assery met all her needs perfectly. Without him, she had no doubt today could have been a disaster. So she decided to give him what he’d asked for. “I’m a student services coordinator for the Science Department of the university.”

“In the Franklin Building?” He whipped his head toward her. “On State Street?”

“Yep, that’s the one.”

“I know it well.” His lips pinched tight as though he wanted to add something, but stopped himself.

“What is it?” Brielle touched his arm lightly, startling them both.

“Uh. My two best friends have a practice on the second floor. I’m there all the time. How haven’t I met you before?” He shook his head.

“I haven’t worked there very long, less than two months.” She winced when she recalled the temporary jobs she’d struggled with before that.

“Ah, yeah. I’ve been sort of avoiding Kurt and Becca most of that time.” A frown marred his features.

“Becca…” She tapped a finger on her lips. “Does she have red hair? Green eyes? Always smiling? Goes everywhere with the tall, dark-haired doctor? The really serious one?”

“Yes, that’s her.” Luke laughed. “She hasn’t quit with that grin since she and Kurt finally hooked up last year. Kurt’s been my friend since middle school.”

“You’re so different.” Afraid of offending, Brielle didn’t mention that the man had frightened her at first, until she saw how much he adored his wife and the respect he treated her with.

“No kidding.” Luke shrugged. “Well, I guess in some things. We have a lot in common. How we get there tends to be by opposite directions. It makes for a great match-up. Same as Becca and Kurt. Becca is terrific. She draws Kurt out of his brainiac ways and makes him smell the roses, you know?”

“I could see that. I like her.” She recalled how the woman always stopped to chat, not pretending Brielle was invisible like so many others did.

“That’s good. Really good.” A smile spread across Luke’s face, warming it even more and bringing life to his super blue eyes. “I think—”

“What can I get for you today, Dr. Malone?” The girl behind the counter batted her lashes at Luke so hard Brielle thought she could feel the breeze.

“The usual, please.”

“And you?” The server stared down her nose at Brielle as if she didn’t already know she wasn’t a suitable companion for the gleaming man beside her. She tarnished his polish.

So busy talking, she hadn’t bothered to read the menu boards. A glance up revealed too many choices to run through quickly. “What’s the usual?”

Luke laughed. “Grilled ham and cheese with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a side of fries. I admit it, I have the stomach of an eight-year-old.”

“That sounds terrific. I’ll have the same.” She could have done another happy dance when the cashier glared in her direction.

“I’ll bring those right out.”

Luke led her to a booth in the corner. He helped her slide in before taking a spot on the opposite side. When she peeked up, his face was somber.

“Brielle.” He paused.

What had changed in a matter of seconds? Her stomach sank through the floor.

“I can’t be your doctor.”

“What?” All her euphoria fled, deflating her like a sad balloon. It had been too good to be true. Him. His support. The hope of a life unburdened by fear. “Why? It’s too much, isn’t it? There’s no chance I can be normal.”

“Like hell.” He leaned forward, planting his elbows on the table and capturing her hands between his. “You did so well today. I’d say your prognosis is very good. With the right help.”

“Then why?” She hated the disappointment choking her, making her questions ragged.

“Because of this.” He lifted his index finger and wiggled it between them. “I can’t be professional with you. I won’t be unbiased or objective. There’s been something here since the zucchini and it’s going to interfere. I won’t take that chance with your well-being.”

“Oh.” She blinked. He felt it too. “I understand.”

But she hated the thought of starting over with someone new, someone who wouldn’t be Luke.

“Dr. Williams—I mean, Dr. Foster. The new Dr. Foster. Becca,” Luke corrected. “She can be exactly what you need. You said you like her. Trust me. She’s amazing at her job. I wouldn’t hand you off to just anyone. In fact, I hope you’ll let me stay involved. If you want, I’ll go with you. We can work on this together. They often deal with couples’ counseling. I’d team up with you if you wanted.”

“But Becca would be in charge of my case?” She toyed with the edge of her napkin, reveling in the warmth of his hands cocooning hers. Not once did she have the urge to break free of his tender restraint.

“Yes.” He smiled. “She’d take the lead. I know you have a lot of sorting out to do in your life right now, but if you’ll let me, I’d like to be part of it. Would you be okay with that?”

For the second time in one day, Brielle thought she might cry. Until the server dropped a steamy platter of fries and grilled ham and cheese between them with a resounding
clank
. Apparently she and Luke weren’t the only ones who could detect this crazy bond.

“Thank you.” Brielle reserved her sweetest tone for the jealous cow.

When the girl sashayed away, Luke chuckled. “Sheathe those claws, kitten. You don’t need them. If it makes you feel better, Becca doesn’t get along with Chastity either.”

“That’s her name?” Brielle nearly shot water out her nose.

“Pretty ironic, isn’t it?” He appraised the server’s too-high skirt hem and too-low neckline. Not in a way that hurt Brielle’s feelings. In fact, it highlighted how differently he regarded her—with far more…interest. Or Becca, with more admiration.

Several bites of delicious gooey cheese and fresh bread later, she couldn’t restrain her curiosity any longer. Something had her intuition on high alert. “You talk about Dr. Foster…Becca so fondly. Familiar. Is she—?”

“Go ahead. What would you like to know? I’ll share anything you ask. How can I do any less after you trusted me with the skeletons in your closet?”

She couldn’t suppress a shudder.

“Sorry, no pun intended. You know what I mean.” He swiped a crumb from her lip. “Ask.”

“Has she always been just a friend?”

“No.” He didn’t hesitate or qualify his response. No excuses followed either. “What? You didn’t expect me to be honest?”

“I guess not.” She stared as he spooned up some soup, slurped the broth then cleared the star-shaped noodles from the utensil. “You’re so different.”

“Good or bad?” He licked the last drops from the silver, making her toes curl.

“Not too shabby.” She grinned when he tapped her shin below the table with the toe of his shoe.

“Now you’re heading for complex, Ms. Norris.”

She laughed until she realized he was staring at her, his silverware still suspended above his empty bowl.

“What? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?” She scrubbed at them with her tongue then smiled wide.

“No. Nothing like that.” He attempted to disguise his smirk behind his napkin. “You’re distracting me. Look, I don’t plan to deceive you. Not now, or ever. Kurt and Becca went through a tough time when they were getting together. Kurt did some things I didn’t understand. Made some bad choices. It almost cost him the woman of his dreams. I won’t take a chance with people who matter to me. I will always be honest with you, I swear.”

“Thanks. I can take it. I’m pretty sure.” She smiled ruefully. “So your best friend married your ex-lover. Isn’t that awkward?”

“Oh.” He set his empty plate aside and leaned back. “I guess that’s what most people would assume. It wasn’t like that at all. Becca has always been Kurt’s first.”

“You two cheated on him?” Brielle couldn’t imagine Luke would do something like that. Had she read him all wrong? People were capable of unthinkable things in the right, or wrong, circumstances. She knew all about that.

“Definitely not.” A grimace twisted his lips. “I wouldn’t normally disclose personal information about a doctor to their patient, but considering how intimate this could get and the relationship between us all, I think you have a right to know before you sign on. Kurt and Becca are unorthodox therapists anyway. In their personal life they like to experiment. Sexually. They’ve asked me to join them or watch on occasion. I’ve been the third in ménages with the couple on and off for the last year. Off for over a month now.”

Ah, so
that’s
why he’d been staying away from State Street.

Part of her gaped, wondering how two people in love could want…that. But then she questioned why having three people share positive affection would be any less gratifying than a couple exchanging respect and desire. In fact, the more the merrier she imagined.