Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“Daddy didn’t take me to the game,” Max says with a sad face. “And you won’t take me.”
I slide my chair next to hers and hook my arm around her. “Yes, I will. We can go to any home game you want.”
“Just not with Duke Baldwin.”
Can I make this one exception for Max? Every part of me screams yes, but the part of me that likes the extra income from the Capitals is saying hell no. We need the money now that Ted is gone. I make a decent living with my private practice, but the cost of living in Washington D.C. is sky-high. Ted and I agreed to divorce on peaceful terms. We were best friends since high school, and I didn’t want to cause a fight that would eventually create a rift between Max and me.
Max is the reason I didn’t fight Ted for money. Custody of Max was all that mattered to me.
“I see Duke in a few days,” I say. “I’ll talk to him then, okay?”
Max jumps into my arms, wrapping her tiny arms around my neck with a firm grip. She smacks a kiss on my cheek. “I love you, Mommy!”
I rub her back. “I love you, too, baby.”
I would do anything for Max, even if it means crossing the line with my patient.
Duke is in the waiting room when I open the door to my office. He’s thirty minutes early for his appointment. I glance over at my secretary, who has her head down, talking on the phone. She usually announces when a patient arrives.
“Hey, Doc,” Duke says, getting up from the chair. He looks even taller when he’s towering over me.
“Duke,” I say in greeting. “Everything okay?”
He smiles. “Never better.”
“Did you get the time wrong?” I hold up my watch to show him. “We have another thirty minutes.”
“Yeah, I know. I wanted to talk to you about the other day.”
“The game?”
He nods.
I extend my hand toward my open door. “We should talk in my office.”
Duke glances over at the secretary’s desk and then follows me inside my office. We take our usual seats across from each other, and my heart practically leaps out of my chest when I lock eyes with him. Why does he have to be so distracting?
“What do you want to talk about that couldn’t wait until our session?”
“I’m technically not allowed to sit in the team box until after we’ve had four sessions.”
“Today would be our third,” I say.
“Yeah. So, I was hoping we could do two this week. Then, I could take you and Max to the game on Saturday. We’re playing the Penguins. I need to be there.”
“I appreciate you inviting us to the game. But you do understand this puts me in a precarious position, right? No one is supposed to know we’re working together. I had to lie to my ex-husband, so I didn’t blow your cover. Max doesn’t understand why it’s not a good idea for us to go to the game with you. And I’m worried about how us going together will be perceived by your coach or your general manager. I’m a professional, Duke, and seeing patients outside the office is not something a professional would do.”
“It’s not a date,” he hedges. “We’re just hanging out and watching a game together. And Max will be there. I don’t see the problem.”
“My daughter loves you,” I admit. “You’re her dad’s favorite player, and so that also makes you hers. I’m afraid Max will get attached to you. You saw how special she is. She’s not like other girls her age.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being different,” Duke says. “Max is probably the coolest girl I’ve ever met. Just don’t tell my sister.” He cracks a smile. “Kat would get jealous.”
I laugh. “Your secret is safe with me.”
He holds my gaze. “I know.”
Duke is beginning to trust me. This is good. Progress. We’re headed in the right direction. But I’m afraid of what will happen outside of these walls after I get to know the real Duke Baldwin.
“So, what do you say, Doc?” Duke leans back against the couch. “Can we squeeze in another session this week?”
“I think that can be arranged.”
Chapter Eleven
DUKE
My hand is drenched in sweat when I knock on Doc’s front door. How am I this nervous for our non-date? I feel like I’m in high school, ready to spill my guts on the ground as I pick my date up for prom. But I didn’t go to prom or any other school function. I was busy dealing with more important shit—like life.
The door opens, and a scream rips from Max’s mouth. “Duke!” She cups the sides of her face with her tiny hands. “You’re here.”
“Of course, I am.”
“My Daddy’s either late or doesn’t come at all,” she says with sadness in her tone.