him I wasn’t the person I had been before. My parents would soon be handing the business to me when they retired to Florida, like they’d always planned. A role they had been grooming me for my entire life, but it came with serious expectations, and I didn’t know if I was ready for it.
“Is that what you want?” Smith asked. “To throw yourself into the grind again?”
“No … fuck, I don’t know what I want.” I glanced at the bottle I was squeezing in my hand. “But twenty-hour days, sleeping at the office, flying to the other side of the world, just to get a break from my goddamn desk”—I looked up, knowing they could sympathize—“I know I don’t have that in me anymore.”
“Does Whitney have anything to do with that?” Joe asked.
I exhaled loudly. “You know, I could have fucking died on that pavement. But I’m here, and I don’t want to be sixty years old and have a wall full of pictures of myself and perfect attendance at work as the highlights of my life. I want something more.”
“Man, do I get that,” Smith said.
Joe’s face told me he agreed, and then he admitted, “You know, my marriage is a fucking mess because of my job.” He got up and grabbed another piece from the counter, giving us one as well.
“Things must be good with Whitney, then?” Smith asked.
I nodded, biting the end of the new slice, washing it down with a sip. “I’m meeting her for dinner tonight. First time I’m going out on my own, wheeling there all by myself.” I laughed. “Words I never thought I’d say.”
Smith gently grabbed my shoulder. “That’s a big step; you’re doing great.”
I felt my lips pull into a grin, remembering the feel of her mouth when she had kissed me good-bye yesterday. “She’s the unexpected surprise in all of this.”
“What’s she going to do when she’s off the payroll?” Joe asked.
I shrugged as Smith’s hand left me. “I don’t think she’s decided.”
But I had a feeling she would be making that decision soon, especially now that I was more mobile with my walker. I wasn’t going to put any pressure on her; she knew the timeline better than me.
“With her talent, it won’t be hard for her to find a job,” Smith said.
I set my plate on the cushion next to me. “She just has to figure out what she wants. I know the hospital isn’t it.”
“You’ve got yourself a good one there,” Joe said. “Do me a favor and don’t fuck it up.”
“I’ve already warned his ass,” Smith bellowed.
“Listen,” I said, chuckling, “I’m doing the best I can.” I pointed at Smith. “Now, it’s your turn because no one wants to be a fifth wheel.”
Joe pounded my fist. “Ain’t that the fucking truth?”
The restaurant I’d chosen for dinner was only two blocks from my condo. I’d told Whitney to meet me there, so it would feel more like a date than a duty. It had the best sushi in the Back Bay, and hearing her mention once that it was her favorite cuisine was the reason I’d picked it.
Veronica helped me shower and get dressed, and I wheeled myself down the sidewalk. I spotted Whitney at the table I’d reserved for us outside. I’d selected the outdoors over the dining room because I wanted her to enjoy the sounds of the city as she ate, and I wanted to see the breeze blow through her hair, the lights of the adjacent buildings glowing on her skin.
When she noticed me, I was a few buildings down, and she rushed over. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t let me pick you up on my way,” she said, her mouth finding mine.
I licked her gloss off my lips. “I got here just fine.”
My arms burned, my fingers a little raw from the rolling. I didn’t care; I would have traveled to the other side of town if that meant I got to see her.
She insisted on pushing me the rest of the way and parked me at the table.
I grabbed her hand before she left, kissing the back of it, the coconut scent so strong on her skin. “You look gorgeous tonight.”
The long blue dress was cinched at her waist, showing those curves that I loved to hold, the top cut low enough to give me a hell of a view of her cleavage.
“Thank you.” She blushed and took her seat, glancing at the menu. “I’ve never been here before, but