Christmas Therapy

“Well, I would but I don’t want to stop my progress,” Heather said.

“Please don’t,” he said.

Did his voice deepen? Her back tingled knowing he resumed his place behind her.

“Is that a new move?” Allen asked. He moved to stand on the opposite side, facing her.

Heather shimmied her shoulders to the music, taking care not to move her lower body too much. Allen folded his arms across his chest as he watched her. His sky-blue polo shirt with the facility logo fit his athletic frame.

A smile built on his lips. “I seem to recall running into you the last time you danced.”

She giggled. “You saved my ice cream so I’m grateful. See, I owe you another one.”

“I guess I have to think of something.”

Her body went still, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Let me know when you do.”

“I will.”

She inhaled a shaky breath. Coming to the facility the last couple of sessions didn’t help at all. Heather thought being in public would distract her from Allen. At her house, it was only the two of them.

The same thing happened at the park and she couldn’t focus. Nothing was working, and seeing him work with the little boy only made it worse. Maggie had joked with her, talking about how her three-year-old son was playing a sheep in the Christmas play, but Heather kept stealing furtive gazes at Allen. This didn’t happen to her. She’d liked guys in the past, but this man was running through her mind like a track star.

Heather ran a free hand down her neck. “Should we get back?”

“Ready when you are.”

Did that mean more than she thought? He was talking about their workouts, right? He didn’t mean them together. Allen couldn’t want anything with her. He didn’t talk about his past much the times they were together. Aside from his mother’s death and his father’s recovery, she didn’t know anything else besides his occupation and being related to Desmond.

Would Allen trust her enough to share? Heather was no better. Could she share with him? She rolled her eyes as she walked back to the exam table. There was a twinge in her leg, but she ignored it. Too bad Allen spotted her scrunched face.

“Are you alright?”

She nodded, ignoring the stinging. “Yeah. I may have pushed it today, but I’m fine.”

He helped her to sit. “That’s not good. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s nothing.”

Allen stared at her. “I want you to challenge yourself Heather, but I don’t want you relapsing. Okay?”

He sounded as if he cared, but Heather wouldn’t fall for it. It was part of his job. She had to stop thinking there was more between them.

When would it stop?

Relationships complicated her life. Love only broke hearts and made people miserable. Her mother was a perfect example of that. She didn’t want to end up like her. Distraught. Alone.

Heather needed to focus. Whatever was going on between her and Allen couldn’t go too far. Did it already though? Then her cell rang, showing her mother’s face on screen.

“Heather, I can’t take you to your appointment today,” her mother said.

“Mom, is something wrong?”

“The usual last minute mishaps before Maple Meadow’s Christmas fair. I’m taking care of it, so not to worry.”

“I’ll call Sonia—no I can’t. She’s covering for a co-worker today and doesn’t get off until after six.” Heather’s eyebrows furrowed. “I’ll take care of it.”

“I hate to leave you there. You know what, Abigail can handle things.”