Page 21 of Lost and Found

“Do what?” I ask, as I tilt my head to study her.

She bites down on her bottom lip for a moment. “Know that I’m freaking out mentally, and somehow know exactly what to say to calm me down. It’s like you’ve known me all my life.”

“Sometimes it feels like I have,” I admit quietly. She meets my eyes, shock within the blue pools. The world falls away and it’s just us, sitting in a retro ice cream shop with a storm raging on around us. Thunder bellows around us, unexpectedly, and closer than previously, causing Paige to jump and breaking whatever trance we had just been in. I can’t help but laugh at her reaction. She glares at me for a moment, before giving up and letting her head fall back in laughter. She’s so incredibly beautiful.

She rests her hand on her stomach as she tries to catch her breath and wipe away stray moisture from my eyes. Paige looks outside where the storm is finally hitting. Rain beats against the windows, puddles already forming on the sidewalk. When Paige turns back toward me, I see a challenge already forming in her eyes. “Okay, big shot doctor, since you’re always telling me things that are good for me. I have something that is good for you.” I raise my eyebrows in question. “Dancing in the rain.”

I laugh again, only it comes out slightly sarcastic. “You’re kidding right?”

“I’m sorry, do I look like I’m kidding?”

“Look who is showing off her skills in the quick comeback category.”

Paige stands up and bows. “Why thank you so much for noticing. Now, are you coming or what?”

“You’re not seriously going out there, are you?” I ask her, as she makes her way to the door.

She nods. “What does it look like?”

“It’s pouring out there!”

“Oh good, your eyes do work! I was starting to worry here for a minute.” She pauses with her hand on the door, and looks back over her shoulder at me. “What are you afraid of?” she asks, before heading outside into the rainstorm, her squeal lost within its fury.

“You,” I whisper to myself.

Chapter Nineteen

Paige

As I step outside, I squeal as the first shockingly cold raindrops beat down on me. After a moment though, my body adjusts to the assault of the drops and temperature change. I move farther onto the sidewalk, away from the building. I hear the doorbell of Scoops chime faintly. I spin around and see Reid standing there, looking uncertain, with his hands pushed deep into his pockets. His biceps taunt with his tense posture. The t-shirt he’s wearing is soaked and clinging to every very defined inch of him. Despite the chilly temperature, I feel my cheeks flush.

“You came outside,” I tease him, with a smirk.

He shrugs. “Couldn’t let you stand out in the rain by yourself.”

I shake my head. “Who said anything about standing? I’m dancing.” I smile before I extend my arms out and spin around with my head back and eyes closed. As the rain falls over me, I feel like it’s washing away everything that is wrong with me. I find peace in the moment and just let my silent mind settle. I stop worrying about the fact that I can’t remember anything and just be in this moment…with Reid.

I continue to spin until I stumble slightly to the side, but strong hands are quick to steady me. The heat of hands rush through my body and I look over my shoulder to see Reid there. His eyes meet mine. “Easy their little dancer, can’t have you falling into the street.”

My head falls back to rest against his toned chest. “No, we can’t have that, so I guess it’s a good thing my saving grace was here to grab me.” Reid shakes his head, but he doesn’t say anything. “Did you dance or just watch me?” I ask him.

He smirks. “I’m more into observing.”

“Not in my world,” I tell him, as I shake my head, my hands find him and I spin out away from him then yank him toward me. “You need to loosen up, Reid.”

“It’s not in my DNA,” he says, shaking his head.

“You just haven’t met the person that brings it out in you yet.” My words shock me because somewhere in my mind, I want to be that person. My heart slams in my chest as I realize just how far I’ve fallen for Reid. It’s more than the comfort his presence gives to me. It’s a feeling of attraction I can’t deny myself any longer.

I step away and find a puddle of water and an idea forms in my head. I turn back around to face Reid and kick my leg out toward him with all my strength, water flies toward him. At first, he looks shocked which causes me to laugh.

“Oh, that’s how this is going to be?” he asks, a smirk on his face and looks of determination in his eyes. I nod my head at him and return his smirk, but before I can even think, he charges toward me and I squeal while trying to run away. I end up making a circle and just when I think I might make it back into the safety of the ice cream shop, a set of strong, warm arms pull me back.

I scream, but it’s not in fear, it’s in delight. Reid pulls me back out into the storm. “Did you really think you could run away from me?” he asks. The warmth of his breath brushing against my ear, sending shivers over my body. ‘Not in a million years,’ I think to myself.

Reid puts my feet back on the ground and I spin around to look up at him. I freeze because how easy would it be for me to rise up and kiss him? What am I thinking? Reid is just my doctor. I’m just his patient and I guess part-time co-worker. He’ll never see me as anything more, and once I’m released from him, I won’t see him except for when he comes to the clinic.

A shiver runs up my spine, but it’s not from the temperature of the rain. It’s from the idea of his loss. The idea of not having Reid in my life. Reid smiles down at me. “We should get back inside, you’re cold.”

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