Page 84 of Make It Last

Ava

Cleared

“You’re good to go,” Chris said.

My physical therapist had officially become one of my favorite people in Willow Brook. He made me work my ass off, though, and somehow, I still liked him. When he lifted his hand in a high five, I slapped my palm against his.

“So I can put weight on it. Like, right now?” I asked.

“You need to be careful,” he said quickly. “I still recommend you use your crutches or a cane.”

“I don’t want to use a cane,” I protested. “That makes me feel old.”

He rolled his eyes and snorted. “It’s obvious you are not old. It’s just an option,” he said. “You’re going to need to take it easy for a few more months, and you’ll keep doing your exercises.”

“You’ll do them with me?” I asked hopefully, mostly because I liked hanging out with him.

“You don’t need me anymore,” he replied with a grin.

I sighed dramatically. “But I like you.”

“You’re going to see me around town.” He gave me a pointed look. “I heard the rumor.”

“Which rumor?”

“You’re taking the job at the ski resort.”

I waggled my brows dramatically. “I am!”

“When do you officially start?”

“I officially start after I get moved here. It’s not going to take long. I’m actually going to work some remotely along the way.”

“Have you given notice at your other job?” he asked.

“Just this morning.” I internally winced. I had not heard a word from my ex or his affair partner since I sent in my formal resignation.

“I bet that felt good.”

Chris knew the whole messy story. I shrugged. “Yes, but I wish I hadn’t been such a dumbass and married him to begin with.”

“You’re not a dumbass,” he said firmly. “We all make mistakes.”

“Do we, though?” I shot back. “I would love to be one of those people who made mistakes without major public humiliation attached.”

Chris tipped his head to the side. “Life works itself out.” He rested his hips against the counter. “I’m happily married now.”

“Your husband is totally cute, by the way.” Chris actually blushed. “How old are you?”

“Thirty-five.”

“Ah. So what did you screw up before you found him?”

He hesitated only a second. “I went for the wrong guys, including one who was abusive.”

My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

“He pushed me so hard once that I fell and broke my arm. Before that, he slapped me more often than I even want to remember.” He said it calmly, almost clinically. “It wasn’t until I broke my arm that I got up the nerve to leave. I’m still embarrassed that’s what it took.”