All the Way (Romancing Manhattan 1)

“That’s kind of hot. Does he speak Italian?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to ask him.”

“When are you going to see him again?”

“Later today. I think it’s safe to say that I have a massive crush on him. But I think it’s more than that too.”

“It’s about time you fell in love,” she says, and I can hear the satisfied smile on her gorgeous face.

“I didn’t say love.”

“It’s okay if you’re still in denial. Enjoy your sexy, older lawyer. Fuck him all day long. Let him spoil you a bit.”

“I plan to do all of that,” I say. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Same bat time, same bat channel.”

“You’re doing so great,” Joe says at physical therapy a week later. “How does this feel?”

He stretches my leg up by my head.

“It doesn’t hurt,” I reply, close to tears. I don’t understand why today has been so emotional for me at therapy. One minute I’m happy with my progress, and the next I want to break down into ugly sobs. “My muscles are tight because I’ve lost some of the flexibility, but I don’t feel injured.”

“Fantastic, kiddo.” He runs me through a series of exercises, watching me like a hawk. “That last lunge looked a little shaky.”

“Yeah, because I did thirty of them,” I reply, and shake my head. “I’m not training for the Olympics here.”

“True. And your strength has increased nicely. I’m very happy with your progress, London. You should be proud.”

“I am.” I blink rapidly and look down, but he catches my chin in his fingers and makes me look at him.

“What’s up with the tears today?”

“It feels different.” I shrug a shoulder, glance out the window that faces the water, and then back to Joe, who’s become more than a therapist. He’s my friend.

“How so?”

“I just . . .” I swallow hard. “It feels like things are changing with my body, and with how I feel about everything that happened. When you stretch me out, I want to cry. When I lunge, I feel proud, and angry at the same time.”

“Why angry?”

“Because my parents can’t lunge. They can’t do anything. But I’ll be damned if I’ll let the fire kill all of us, especially if I’m still living. So I’m proud, and I’m sad because I miss them.”

“They’d be so proud of you, London.” Joe pats my shoulder and waits while I brush a tear from my cheek. “You’re healing. Let’s go to my office.”

I follow behind him to his office and sit across from him, snagging a tissue from the box on his desk and wiping my eyes.

“You’ve held a lot of your grief in your body, London.”

I nod, unable to answer at first. “I hold most emotions in my body. It’s why dance was always so important to me.”

He leans forward, listening avidly.

“I express myself in dance, in music. I haven’t been able to use that as my outlet for this grief, for the sadness. But the therapy has helped.”

“I’m glad.” He smiles and opens the folder sitting on his desk. “And I have some exciting news.”

“What?”

“Well, I’m happy to report that I think our time together is done.”

I stare at him in disbelief.

“I know, you’re gonna miss me, but I don’t think there’s any reason for you to keep coming here, unless you start having issues again, or feel like you’re sliding backward. But you’re a strong woman, who was in excellent health to begin with, which helped you immeasurably.”

“You’re discharging me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He folds his hands on his desk and smiles at me. “Congratulations, London, you’ve graduated from PT.”

I smile and clap my hands, tears threatening again, but happy tears this time. “Awesome. Can I start going to the gym?”

“I don’t see why not. Take it easy and listen to your body. Don’t overdo it.”

“I won’t. I’m just ready to get back into decent shape.”

“You don’t consider this decent shape?” He laughs and shakes his head.

“Joe, I was a professional dancer. I’m twenty pounds heavier and can’t run five miles without feeling like I’m going to die.”

“I get it. You’ll get all of that back. It won’t take long.”

I nod and stand when he does. I can’t help from reaching out and hugging him hard.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He pulls back and smiles down at me. “You’re going to be great.”

I nod and leave the PT office, and when I get to my car, I reach for my phone and immediately call Finn.

“This is Finn.”

“Hey, are you busy?”

“Never too busy for you. What’s up?”

“I have super-awesome news, and I need to see you right away. Can I come over?”

“Of course. See you soon?”

“Very soon.” I hang up and drive directly to his house. I hurry inside and find him in his office at the top of the stairs. “Hi.”

“Hey beautiful.” He stands and holds his arms open, inviting me in for a hug, and I swear it’s like coming home. “Your body is humming. What’s going on?”