Page 26 of That Summer

“A sunrise. A sunset. The waves crashing onto the shore.”

He glanced up from the table for a brief moment. “Did you grow up by the ocean?”

“No. But I visited Hawaii once when I was thirteen, our first overseas trip. I loved it.” The memory of it—the salt in the air, the pounding of the waves as they beat on the sand, the cold rush of water that threatened to wash her away—it all came forth as if she was there yesterday. A broad smile spread from ear to ear.

“I’m adding that one to your current list. Clearly it makes you happy still.”

“Fine,” she said, watching the pen fly across the paper. “Add that to the list.”

“Anything else? Just off the top of your head.”

“Gatherings with friends. I used to hang out with my friends all the time.”

The pen dropped to the table and he crinkled up his brows. “You hang out with me. And Kaitlyn on occasion.”

“True, but it’s not the same. You and I, we’re focused on a goal, trying to get something accomplished. With my friends, in the before times–”

Lucas snorted.

“We’d hang out just to hang out. No goals. No purpose. Just fun.”

“And you and Kaitlyn never do that?” That infectious smirk caused her to giggle.

Yes, they had girl’s nights. Usually once a month. “You got me. Add that to the current list.”

“See, you just needed some help. I think you were over thinking it.”

“Maybe.” She walked over to him. Bending down, she gave him a hug and a light kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. For being you.”

The heat on his cheeks warmed her lips. “You’re welcome.”

“Now, let me make you supper and then we’re going to take another drive tonight. Let’s break that five-minute mark.”

Chapter Seven

The room she sat in didn’t appear any different from when she was there last week, but yet, something about it was different. Perhaps it was smaller? But that’d be impossible right? The couches were in the exact same places, angled in such a way no matter where she sat, she’d be facing him. The antique-looking clock hung on the wall, ticking loudly in the otherwise silent room. A quick sniff revealed an aroma of stale coffee, and a hint of a peanut butter infused lunch. Completely the same, and yet, different. She couldn’t figure out what it was.

Dr. Navin ambled into the room, after a quick knock. “Good afternoon, Aurora. Glad you made it in. I wasn’t sure if you’d be coming back or not.”

“You do have a patient call sheet to refer to, do you not?”

He halted. The door clicked, and he tossed her file on the desk behind the couch. “Of course we do, but that doesn’t mean anything. Patients cancel at the last minute all the time.”

“That can’t be good for business.”

“You’re right, it’s not. However, it does allow me more time to focus on the ones that do want to meet me, and do want the help, such as yourself. So there’s that.” He parked himself down on the couch across from her. “How was your weekend?”

“Well, I worked on your damn list.”

“And?” His head cocked to the side as he leaned back. A pudgy hand fell softly onto his knee when he crossed his legs.

“It was difficult.”

“It was meant to be.”

“You made it sound like it would be easy. Something I could quickly write down.”

“I never said that, and I never intended it either.”