The relief I feel is immense and immediate. I sigh. “Just finishing up for the day.” I smile politely at Lincoln as Turner runs up to him.
“See you later,” Lincoln coos, leaning in so only I can hear.
After Lincoln thanks Aspen and grabs Turner’s hand to walk out, he introduces himself to my friend. Ramona does her best to not look confused, shocked, insert negative adjective here, but I see it in the furrow of her brow as she extends her arm.
Brushing hair out of her face with the back of her hand, she says. “Sorry about the paint. It’s always everywhere. Nice to meet you.” Ramona meets my eyes, telepathically asking why a strange man is introducing himself to her.
Turner looks at me now that Aspen has vanished in the midst of the awkward moment. “See you at our next appointment,” I tell the little boy. “You did so great, I’m sure you won’t need to come for very much longer.”
He frowns. “I want to keep coming.”
Lincoln’s shoulders rise and lower in an exaggerated way. “The whole point is to get better, right?” he tells his son. “Dr. Ahern has lots of other superheroes to fix up. Wouldn’t want to take her time if you don’t need it, right?” Emotion clogs my throat.
I offer a reassuring smile. “You definitely have plenty more appointments. Don’t worry.”
Lincoln calls out a goodbye to Aspen, waves at a wary Ramona, and winks at me, before exiting to the parking lot.
“What was that, Dr. Ahern?” Ramona quips.
“What?” I say, spinning to get to my office as quickly as I can.
She follows, setting the painting down inside my doorway. It’s pretty. She’s right. It will look amazing where she mentioned. “Why is that beautiful, monster of a perfect creature introducing himself to me?”
Aspen pops her head in, eyes wide. “You have a date tonight. I heard. Shit! This is the best news I’ve heard since Britney’s announcement telling the world she’s coming out of retirement. How do you feel? Are you on cloud nine right now? Are you ready to pull the old crotch spider out of retirement?”
“A date?” Ramona remarks. She’s not being fresh like Aspen, she is legitimately confused. “What is going on?”
Sighing, I unfasten my bun and let my hair fall over my shoulders. “He asked me out to dinner, but also said he doesn’t date. I don’t date either, so it didn’t seem like a bad idea.” And I couldn’t tell him no. I meet Ramona’s eyes. I toss my hands in the air when she and Aspen don’t look convinced. “There’s something about him. That’s it. There’s nothing more to say about it.”
“What? That he has a kid? That’s a pretty huge check in the no column. Or it has been ever since I’ve known you. When you say something, be more specific. I have some ideas just by looking at him, but want to hear what you say first.”
Ramona pegged him the second she saw him. She knew Rexy and visited me in Cape Cod when I worked there. There were several occasions when she was around the SEALs. I know a joke is coming. About my type—and my curse. Closing my eyes, I sit down. “He makes me feel something. I don’t know what the something is yet. The first day I saw him, I was about as hollow and dreadful as I could be, and then there was a flicker. Because of what he looks like, maybe.”
“Maybe?” Ramona says. “Or because of who he reminds you of?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Yeah. I don’t know. That’s it, though. I said yes to dinner because I want to see if I can flush out the feeling. Maybe it has nothing to do with Rexy. Maybe I’m just ready to…date.”
“Let me repeat myself,” Ramona says, clearing her throat for effect and allowing more space between each word than necessary. “He has a child,” she continues. “Is that really where you want to open the new dating chapter game? With a man that comes with baggage?”
“I said yes to dinner. I didn’t agree to walk down the aisle.” Aspen leaves for reception because the phone is ringing. She’d rather answer it after hours than return a call in the morning. “You know me. I’m not going to do anything rash. Like fall in love or you know, go on a second date.” Wait. “It’s not even a first date,” I amend. “It’s a meal. That’s all.”
“Fine.” She tosses her hands up, frustrated. “When you say meal,” she says, then lowers her voice, “Do you mean meal?” Ramona winks, opening her mouth as she does.
“Definitely not.” Swallowing hard, I turn away and start packing the bag under my desk. “He’s a patient’s father. I can’t go there.”
Ramona shakes a finger at me. “Told you. He has a kid. It’s a deal breaker.”
I sigh. “Riddle me this then. Stavros gets the waitress pregnant. The next time you go back to him, because you probably will, he has a child. Is it a deal breaker?”
She visibly folds into herself. Crossing her arms across her chest. I feel bad for bringing him into this, but there’s no other way. “Stavros is too careful.”
“That’s your argument?” I deadpan.
She huffs. “We have a history, Maeve. This isn’t even remotely similar. Apples and oranges here.”
Aspen calls out a goodbye and tells me to call her after my date. I tell her not to hold her breath and turn my attention back to Ramona.
“Gun to
