Avery hated dogs, mine in particular, but some of the women I’d slept with had fussed over Skye as much as Theo did. Whether a woman liked Skye or not had never made them more or less attractive to me. I assumed they wouldn’t be around long enough for it to matter. But the thought of Rowan cuddled up with Skye made my chest ache.
Not my dick. My chest. Shit. This couldn’t be happening. Lust was something I could handle, barely. But longing for something beyond sex? I’d avoided that my entire adult life.
Rowan’s expression shifted from teasing to worried. “I’m sorry. I should have asked before I tagged along with Chris. Mom didn’t want me walking alone in case my back seized up and I thought—”
“No, it’s great,” I said. My voice sounded off, and Rowan looked like she wanted the treadmill to take her far away fromme. “This program takes about ten minutes. I’m going to get some charting done before our next set of exercises.”
I turned and walked to my office, ignoring Cam’s concerned look and Adam’s stare. I shut the door behind me and leaned against it.
I needed to get my shit together. My sessions with Rowan had been the most awkward of my career, yet I felt this undeniable, terrifying pull toward her that had nothing to do with keeping my job. This couldn’t be happening. I wouldn’t let it. I grabbed my cell and typed a message into my group chat with Theo and Aiden.
I have a problem
A reply popped up immediately.
Aiden
You have many. Be more specific
Theo
Don’t be a dick, A. What’s up?
Problem with a patient. I can’t dismiss her because my boss will fire me
Aiden
She trying to nail you?
No
Theo
How often do you dismiss patients?
Never. She would be the first
Aiden
What the hell did she do?
Nothing
Theo
You woke me up because a patient is doing nothing wrong, and you want to dismiss her even though you’ll probably get fired if you do?
Aiden
Who’s the dick now?
Is she hot?
What’s that got to do with anything?
Aiden
Answer the question