“No, it feels good.”
He held the pose for fifteen seconds, let his leg go back to the table, then repeated the process, five times. He did the same on the other leg. He did five more stretches then moved his hands to the site of the pain. “I’m going to press gently at first around the area you indicated as the problem.” His fingers found what he thought would be the center of the pain. “Is this the most painful part?...how about here?” He moved his hands to find the perimeter of the pain. “Now I’m going to massage this area. I’ll be gentle at first then deepen the pressure but we’ll work up tothe full compression over the next seven sessions. Again, let me know if it hurts. All thisshouldmake you feel better.”
Gently, Oliver pushed his hands into the man’s flesh and began the real massage.
Fifty minutes later, he stretched the guy’s muscles again, then stepped away. “I’m done, Ken. How do you feel?”
“Better. Relaxed. Less pain.”
“Now, sit up, slowly.”
Once Ken was upright, Oliver said, “You may get sore as the night goes on. But that’s to be expected.”
“Will I feel less pain?”
“I’m not sure. You might. But if you don’t remember, this is the first of seven sessions and a very gentle one. I’ll come back when you’re dressed and schedule your next session right in here.”
The man nodded.
Oliver walked outside the treatment room with his tablet, which held his appointment book. After a few minutes, he gently knocked on the door. “All set, Ken?”
“Yeah. Come on in.”
They set up the next two appointments, then Oliver showed him to the waiting area.
Where he found Anabelle Baxter.
His eyes rounded with surprise, then he walked Ken to the front door and opened it for him. When the door closed behind him, he faced his visitor. “Now doesn’t this make my day.”
* * *
Anabelle had told herself not to be nervous because Oliver Ricardi had already asked her out. She’d dressed carefully in a peach and yellow sundress and her favorite strappy sandals. She lifted her chin. “Hello, Oliver.”
His grin was wide. “Hello, pretty lady.”
That made her smile. “You came to my place of work so I thought it would be all right with you if I came here.”
“It is. And I’m done for the day.”
“I hoped you would be.” She could feel herself blush. “I googled you and saw the hours you work.”
He slid his hands into his pockets and leaned against the wall. The navy slacks and yellow polo shirt fit him well. “Does this mean you’ll go out with me?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “Yes, it does. Once. Then we’ll see.”
“I’ll take it.” He glanced at the clock. “How much time do we have?”
“My nanny is staying until ten.”
“Long enough.” He held out his hand. Took hers. By the door, he grabbed his sports-coat off a hook, then said, “Let’s go in my car. We’ll come back for yours.”
“I guess that would be okay.”
Once she stepped closer to him, she got a whiff of his scent. It was woodsy. Masculine. Her heart kickstarted again like it had that day at the hospital cafeteria.
His car was a sporty, dark green Prius. He opened her side and she slid in. The beige leather was smooth and cushiony. He circled the hood and got inside. He didn’t start the engine right away. Instead, he just stared at her.
After a while she asked, “What’s wrong?”