“Until your brain is ready to accept the mechanism of injury without causing it more harm.”
“That was a perfect political answer,” Leo said at her side.
Dr. Falconio laughed.
“When your brain is damn good and ready,” Pam answered for him.
Dr. Falconio pointed to her. “She’s right. Physically, you’re doing fine. Your lungs sound good, your wounds and incisions are healing. If you weren’t here, I’d send you to physical therapy, start building strength in your left arm and upper body. But you can do those exercises without a professional. Work on you . . . the parts you can control. Maybe try some meditation, write down your thoughts and dreams. If you see a calculator and think you need to use it, use it. Maybe you were an accountant. A piano . . . play it.”
She didn’t see herself sitting at a desk, but she understood what the man was saying.
“One thing I do know is forcing the memories will only frustrate you. If you remember eating an ice cream at a lake, relax into the memory, but don’t try and remember the lake, the day, or the people you were with.”
Or who was telling her she couldn’t go to class with a broken bone. “I’ll try.”
“In the meantime, if you have any questions, I’ll leave my contact information. Feel free to reach out.” He looked at Neil, then back to her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He stood and looked at his watch.
“Doctor?”
“Yes?”
“Is it possible that I won’t get my memory back?”
“There are very few documented cases of permanent loss. Not in cases like yours. And considering you’re starting to recall snips and pieces . . . I honestly don’t think that is something you should spend time worrying about. Get your strength back.” He glanced at Neil again. He signaled to Pam. “Let me go over some PT for her.”
The three of them left her and Leo.
After they disappeared downstairs, he twisted his position and rested his arm on the back of the sofa. His hand gently touched her shoulder.
Her mind raced. When would she remember? This couldn’t keep going. Every day she opened her eyes, she held her breath and waited. Waited for her brain to kick in and life to return to normal. One where she didn’t look at the stranger in the mirror.
“That’s not what you wanted to hear,” Leo said.
She shook her head. “I want to circle a date on the calendar and know it will all come back.”
“He did offer some practical advice. Start a journal. Work on your physical strength.”
“I’m glad he said that. Maybe now Pam will lay off.” She looked out the window behind them. It had been raining for the better part of the weekend. “When it clears up, I’m taking a hike. I have a feeling that will bring me closer to who I am than plucking away on a calculator.”
Leo smiled. “Olivia . . . CPA. I can’t see it.”
She placed a hand on his knee and pushed off the couch. “I’m going to find a notebook, put it by my bed. If nothing else, maybe I’ll write a book about my acid-trip dreams.”
“Your what?” Leo stood along with her.
She thought of the hellish landscape and fire that always burned her feet. “Nothing.”
He stepped closer, touched her hair.
Olivia looked at his hand, then him. “One kiss and you feel like you can touch me whenever you want?”
He lifted his eyebrows, a smile in his eyes. “I counted three. That last one might even be considered two in one.”
It sure could. Mr. FBI knew how to lock her mind down and let her simply feel. The few minutes in his arms made her forget everything going on around her. Flirting with the man had been entertaining. Kissing him pulled her shoulders back and brought out a boldness that felt completely normal. “Stamina is a good thing,” she said, teasing.
He placed his hand on the side of her neck, his intentions clear. “Maybe someday I’ll show you what I can really do.”
She leaned in, stared him in the eye. “Maybe?”
His eyes traveled to her lips.
She placed her hand on his hip as if inviting him. When he leaned in, she let her pinky trace the outline of his arousal before dropping her hand and walking away.
His growl was satisfaction to her ears.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Neil and Sasha walked in the misty afternoon while AJ drove the doctor to the airport.
“AJ and I aren’t leaving,” she announced.
Neil knew better than to argue with the woman. “What’s your