Page 28 of Extended Bridge

As if. I skirt a couple of high-top tables as I zigzag toward the back of the club.

“Hey there, baby. Are you here alone? I could fix that for you.” A nice-looking guy stands in my path. He has visible tats on his neck and fingers and a killer smile. Too bad he doesn’t have tattooed sleeves like Bennett, or his cheekbones or his wicked green eyes.

What am I doing?No comparing my patient to club patrons!

“I’m actually with the band.” I wave my hand toward where they are. “Gotta use the restroom.”

“Oh.” His eyes widen. “Lucky girl.” He backs away to let me pass. I guess chivalry isn’t totally dead.

My pleasant thought is interrupted when I hear Bennett’s voice boom over the music, “Smart move.”

I do a quick turn and see Bennett standing next to the nice guy. Who does he think he is? Staking a claim where none is needed because I’m not hooking up withanyoneuntil my physical therapy gig is over and I’m away from UC! I give Bennett my evil eye to confirm the guys won’t come to fisticuffs, spin on the too-high heel of my boot, and clomp into the bathroom.

When I’m washing my hands, Nese enters. “There you are. Are you having a good time? I saw you speaking with a hottie a minute ago.”

This is how rumors begin. “We were like two ships. He let me pass to go to the restroom. Nothing more.”

“Then why was big, bad Bennett going all Thor on him?”

I lean against the sink. “Please tell me you’re exaggerating.”

“Maybe a little.” She lets out one of her laughs. “He did go up to the guy, though.”

My eyelids close for a second. “You’re crazy, you know that Nese?”

“So I’ve been told.” She pulls out her lipstick and grabs a paper towel to blot. “Want to join me in a game of air hockey?”

“I didn’t notice a table.”

“It’s in the back, around the right corner.” At my frown, she adds, “Across from here.”

“Ah.” My feet scream to be relieved of the boots. “Nah, I think I’m going to head back. It’s been a long day.”

She tosses the paper with a perfect lipstick kiss into the garbage. “We just got here.”

“Maybe another time. When I didn’t start working for UC that same afternoon.”

Her face falls. “Fine. I’ll hold you to it.”

“Don’t worry, our agreement to leaving the club after making a one-hour appearance is void.” We bump fists. Guess UC is rubbing off.

At the bathroom door, we separate. Phone in hand, I pull up a rideshare app, but Bennett steals it from my hand. “Hey! Give that back. I was ordering a car.”

“Which is why I’m not giving it back to you until I’ve had my dance.”

I squeak. “Dance? What about the ladies on the sofa?”

Without an ounce of recognition, he shrugs. “I only want one dance with my physical therapist. I promise no touching.”

“Excuse me?”

“Not wasting my one and only hug in a cramped room filled with too many people. When I call my card, it’s going to be you and me. Alone.”

My knees almost buckle. What have I started? “I’m not a challenge.”

“Never said you were, Sweet Pea. I’m simply telling you the truth.”

Damn. “I guess my feet can stand one dance. But no more.”

---