Page 18 of Lost and Found

I drove her home in silence; neither of us know what to say. When I pull up to her condo, I get out and help her out of the car. We both mumble a goodbye and then she’s gone. I don’t know why, but I felt a weighted roll off my shoulders.

I thought we had parted on good and mutual terms, but now she’s acting like typical Ella. Once we reach outside, I turn around. “You could slow down. Not all of us have two legs to walk on.”

“Ella, what are you doing?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes and scoffs at me. “Eating, what does it look like I’m doing?”

I raise my eyebrows in question. “It looks like you’re trying to start drama with a co-worker and patient of mine, by marking territory that is no longer yours.” She falls silent and I cross my arms over my chest while waiting for her answer. “Am I wrong?”

“Just because we agreed to no to see each other anymore, does not mean you have to parade your new slut around in my face,” she snarls at me.

My anger turns into a rage the instant that she insults Paige. I step closer to her. “First of all, you know damn good and well that I come here every Saturday to buy lunch for the staff at the clinic. So, if anyone is trying to parade anything it’s you. I’m sorry if seeing me with Paige bothered you, but she’s is not a slut and you, as a woman, should not go around slut-shaming other women. You should be ashamed of your damn self-right now.” I shake my head. “You know, I knew when we dated that you were drama, but I didn’t think you’d stir the pot just for fun. I’m done.” I step around and her walk back.

When I walk back into the bistro, Paige is loading the sacks of food onto her arms. I rush over and collect them and the drink carriers. “All set?” Paige nods, and then follows me out of the bistro.

As we leave out, I feel Ella’s eyes on me, but I don’t give her the satisfaction of looking in her direction. I clearly didn’t read her right. Once we’re back on the street Paige says, “I can carry something, Reid.”

I shake my head. “Absolutely not. Clearly, you are doing much better than the last time I saw you. Your walking is great, but I will not let you overdo it. Doctors’ orders,” I tell her, as I lean into her like I’m letting her in on a secret.

She laughs then stops herself. “Reid, I’m sorry about all that back there.” She motions back to Kazen’s.

“What?” I ask. I’m confused because surely, she doesn’t mean Ella.

“I didn’t mean to cause an argument between you and your girlfriend.” Paige actually looks sad for me. She’s looking down at the ground, like she did something wrong.

I shake my head. “You don’t owe me an apology. Ella isn’t my girlfriend. We dated for a very brief time, but it’s over. She believed I spent too much time and attention on my career and patients.”

Paige shakes her head. “I’ll never understand people.”

“What do you mean?” I stop walking and so does she. I study her for a moment.

Paige shrugs. “I mean, being a doctor and saving people’s lives is what makes you happy, right?” I nod my head yes.” Your patients mean something to you and you care about them, right?” Again, I nod my head. “Then what is the problem with that. I always thought that if you loved someone you wanted them to be happy. As long as you aren’t harming yourself or anyone else, what is wrong with spending your time on your career?”

I knew she was different from the moment I laid eyes on her, even when she was unconscious, but that statement right there just solidified it in my mind. Paige is a truly different person; one of a kind is a better term for it. “Well, that’s how I’ve always thought about things, but apparently not so many agree with me.”

“Well, I don’t think I’m much of a fighter but in the case, I’d be happy to slap some sense into them.” She looks up at me and smiles.

I laugh. “Thank you for that offer, but they probably did me a favor.”

We start walking again. “How so?” she asks.

I sigh. “I never loved any of them,” I admit quietly. We reach the clinic right after I say it, saving me from any more questions, but as Paige opens the door, I can feel her eyes on me. I’m not going to get away with that comment without an explanation I feel like.

Chapter Sixteen

Paige

I’m finishing up with physical therapy when I feel a familiar comfort wash over me. I don’t know why he’s here, but I can sense him before I see him. As I turn around, I see Reid standing against the wall, one ankle crossed over the other, and his hands tucked into the pocket of his jeans. For a moment, it’s like I forget to breathe since my breath catches at the sight of him. His dark brown hair is shorter than the last time I saw him, he must have gotten it trimmed up. His dark, hazel eyes meet mine and he smiles in my direction. I lift a hand and wave.

Once I’m done, I head over to Reid. “Hey stranger,” I tease him.

He smiles again and I notice the way his eyes crinkles in the corners. I like that. “Hey, you. You look good out there,” he tells me, while motioning to the workout room where physical therapy takes place. I know what he means, but his words also make me blush, because my mind went in a different direction. What is going on with me? “How are you feeling?”

I feel the blush as it creeps into my cheeks. “I feel pretty good. I think my motor skills have improved a lot.”

“They have. I’m impressed with how quickly they have improved. You’re doing great. How’s your head feeling?” he asks.

I laugh. “Well, you could have asked me that tomorrow when I saw you for my appointment, but to answer your question, it feels pretty good, still empty but good.”

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