Page 16 of Lemon Cake

“No. He was honest about it, and he was incredible. He said he didn’t want to come off as an idiot or weird me out but he is curious about it. He even said he was worried about me coming to the camp because of all the walking.”

“Oh that is so thoughtful!”

“He didn’t ask outright because he didn’t want me to feel uncomfortable.”

“He seems to be open to talking about it. I think you two just have to get to know each other a little better and everything will feel smoother.”

“I hope so. I really like him.”

“But you’re still insecure?”

Gemma sighed, throwing her head back on the cushion. “I’m just afraid, you know?”

“Of what?”

“Maybe hethinkshe can handle it but what if I take my clothes off and he changes his mind?”

“Look, I know it’s scary but there is no way of knowing beforehand. Based on what you’ve told me, he’s not like that.”

“I just don’t want to fall for him just for him to leave.”

“Oh, sweetheart. It’s already too late for that, don’t you think?”

Gina was probably right. Gemma was already falling for Rider, there was no stopping this snowball. She hoped that he would be her parachute rather than letting her crash on the rocks.

“When are you two going to meet up again?” Gina asked, pulling Gemma from her thoughts.

“Thursday. It’s his day off so he suggested we cook dinner together.”

Gina squealed again. “Super cute! I’m sure he’ll be busy during football season so you should get him hooked on you before it starts,” Gina laughed.

“Hopefully I don’t burn the food and can keep him a little longer.”

Another laugh. “I love you.”

“I love you too. See you tomorrow.”

As soon as they hung up, Gemma opened her messaging app and shot off a text to Rider.

Hope you made it home alright.

I did. Thank you for checking on me.

Gemma pulled her wheelchair over, then worked her jeans off. She still liked using it in the house, especially at night. At the beginning, she’d had no other choice. Even after the prosthesis had been fitted, she’d relied on thewheelchair quite a bit. Learning to use her “cool” leg—as Dan called it—had been uncomfortable at first, and she’d needed to take breaks from it. Eventually, it had become easy to manage with both.

She unhooked the pin that connected her leg’s sleeve with the prosthesis and set it aside. Then she carefully rolled her sleeve over her knee and inspected her skin to make sure no red or sore spots had formed throughout the day. As she looked down at her legs, she couldn’t help but hope that Rider wouldn’t mind. She hardly knew this man and he already made her heart flutter and her mind spin. Being with Rider felt like being a teenager with her first crush again.

Clearing her head, Gemma changed into her pyjamas and cuddled up in bed. As she closed her eyes, she relived the afternoon, mentally picturing every second of that kiss.

The next morning as Gemma got ready for her day, a message from Rider popped up.

Good morning,

beautiful.

Good morning

Heading to work?

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