“Don’t wait around,” Tom said. “Go take a walk or have something to eat. They’ll get me back to my room, and I’ll need a nap after they wear me out.”

“Okay. I’ll check on you later.” She kissed his cheek and watched the therapist roll him through the double doors. For a long time after he went in, she stood outside the doors, watching through the windows as the therapist transferred him from the chair to a table, where she put him through a series of exercises, focusing on his left side.

Erin thought about what he’d said, and couldn’t hide from the truth he’d exposed. Though it hadn’t been intentional, she was guilty of running away from relationships that got too serious for her to handle. Life was easier on the surface. No one got hurt. No one’s existence was shattered if they lost the one they loved.

While avoidance had kept her safe from hurt, it had also made for a rather lonely existence. It had taken Slim Jackson less than a week to show her how much more fun it would be to have him around, rather than spending every day by herself.

Chapter 25

Erin carried that thought with her as she rode the elevator to the lobby, intending to take a walk while her dad was in PT. Her mom wouldn’t be back for a couple of hours yet. Erin was walking through the main doors when she nearly collided with someone coming in.

The familiar scent of leather and the unmistakable cologne had her gasping and looking up at Slim’s face as he grasped her arms to keep her from tripping over him.

“W-what—”

He kissed her right there in the middle of the busy doorway, generating a few catcalls and laughs as people went by them. “There you are.”

“What’re you doing here?” She’d thought he’d be halfway to Florida by now.

He took her by the arm to move them out of the stream of foot traffic. “My client moved his flight to the Bahamas from tomorrow to the day after, so I figured I’d stop by on my way south. Hope that’s okay?”

Erin threw herself into his arms, hugging him so tight that he gasped and then laughed.

“I take it that’s a yes?”

She nodded. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Likewise. I was going crazy missing you after one night away, and when my client texted early this morning, I ran for the airport.”

“I’m so glad your client texted you.” She kissed him again, not caring in the least that they were drawing the attention of everyone who walked by.

“How’s your dad?”

“He’s doing great. He’s at PT for the next couple of hours.”

“And your mom?”

“Is at lunch with her friends.”

“So you’re free and clear?”

“For the moment. Why?”