Chapter 2

Chapter Two

PARKER

I sighed wearily as I looked at all the cardboard boxes that lay strewn about our new apartment, their contents spilling out onto the floor. The tenants before us must not have cared about getting their deposit back because they'd left the place a disgusting mess and we'd had to spend most of the weekend scrubbing it clean before we could even think about unpacking.

By the looks of things, we'd barely even made a dent in it. Guess I knew what I'd be doing that evening—and every evening for the foreseeable future. Especially with David working double shifts at Mercy Hospital where he'd recently been hired—the reason we'd moved to Chicago in the first place. At least he'd been able to get some time off over the weekend to help move the last of our stuff from home to the big city which was more than he'd gotten at his last job.

I glanced at the clock and swore under my breath; first days were not meant to start with a race against time. "David, have you seen my tie?" I called out, rummaging through a pile of clothes that smelled faintly of cardboard and dust.

"Which one? The navy blue with the tiny silver stripes?" David's voice floated from the bathroom, tinged with the sound of an electric razor buzzing to life. I poked my head around the corner, watching him as he meticulously maneuvered the device over his jaw, his concentration unfaltering.

"Yup, that's the one," I replied, marveling at how even in the middle of disarray, he managed to look effortlessly put together—a doctor right out of an ad for a prestigious hospital, his dark hair neatly styled, those warm hazel eyes focused.

"Check the box at the foot of the bed. I saw it there last night," he said without looking away.

"Found it!" I emerged victorious, holding the tie aloft like a flag. Slipping it around my neck, I attempted to tie a knot, aiming for perfection but achieving something just shy of symmetrical.

David turned off the razor and wiped his face with a towel before stepping out to appraise my handiwork. With a gentle touch, he adjusted the tie, his fingers brushing against my collar, sending a familiar shiver down my spine. "There." He smiled. "Now, it's perfect."

"Thanks." I exhaled, trying to steady the flutter in my chest. "I'm nervous. You know, new city, new job?—"

"Hey," he said, his hands settling on my shoulders. "You're going to be amazing, Parker. You always are." His thumbs smoothed over the fabric of my shirt, a subtle gesture that grounded me. "You're kind, compassionate, and the best damn physical therapist I know. That clinic is lucky to have you."

"Your confidence in me is terrifyingly unwavering," I joked, though his words did bolster my courage.

"Because I know you," he replied, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to my forehead. "And because I love you."

"God, what did I do to deserve you?" I murmured, wrapping my arms around him in a quick embrace, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine.

"Probably some heroic deed in a past life," David teased, pulling back just enough to wink at me. "Now go out there and knock ‘em dead. Metaphorically speaking."

"Right, no actual killing of any kind," I grinned, grabbed my bag and gave him one last peck on the lips. "See you tonight?"

"Hopefully," he said. It was the best he could offer me, never knowing when an emergency would need his attention.

"Try your hardest," I replied and with that, I stepped out into the crisp Chicago air, my mind buzzing with the anticipation of what lay ahead.

A gentle chime announced my entrance into the clinic. The reception area of the physical therapy center was bathed in soft, natural light that spilled through the ample windows, casting a cheerful glow over several pieces of modern furniture. I paused for a moment, taking it all in—the inviting space, the hum of quiet conversation, and the faint scent of eucalyptus.

"Hey there! You must be Parker," a voice called out from behind the front desk, pulling me from my observations. I turned to see a handsome young man with an easy smile that reached his eyes. "I'm Justin, we spoke on the phone a few times."

"Yes, of course. It's good to finally put a face to the name," I replied, my nerves settling with his friendly demeanor.

"You too. Let me give you a quick tour before everyone gets busy," he suggested, gesturing toward the interior with a sweep of his hand. As we walked, staff members greeted me with smiles and words of welcome. It felt as though I'd stumbled into a family rather than a workplace, and the warmth of it wrapped around me like a blanket.

"Everyone's pretty laid-back here," Justin explained as we passed by a row of treatment rooms. "We work hard, but Travis makes sure we also take time to enjoy the little things. He's big on balance."

"Sounds perfect."

"Ah, speaking of the devil." Justin nodded toward the end of the hallway where a figure approached—tall, with the kind of athletic build that didn't just hint at his relationship with sports but shouted it from the rooftops. He was blond with strikingly blue eyes and his skin was a gorgeous golden tan, like he'd just gotten back from some tropical vacation.

"Hey, Justin. Who's this?" Travis asked casually, showing off a set of straight white teeth.

"Travis Brooks, meet Parker Reyes, our new physical therapist," Justin introduced us.

"Ah! It's nice to finally meet you, Parker." Travis extended his hand, and I was momentarily caught in his warm gaze before our hands met in a firm shake. His grip was strong, confident, and something about it sent a ripple of electricity up my arm.

"Likewise," I managed, hoping my face didn't betray how taken aback I was—not just by his appearance, which was undeniably striking, but by the casual ease with which he stood there, exuding a sense of fun and spontaneity that I'd always envied.

"Are you settling into the city okay?" His brow lifted in genuine interest.

"Uh, yeah, getting there." I chuckled, ruffling the back of my hair awkwardly. "Chicago's quite the change from the small town I grew up in."

"I'm sure. But you'll love it here," he assured me with an easy grin, and somehow, I believed him.

"Has Justin introduced you to the rest of our team?" he asked, nodding towards the small group of colleagues that moved about the therapy room.

"Yes," I replied, the corner of my mouth lifting into a smile. "Everyone seems very friendly." My eyes flicked over to him. "I suppose it helps when the boss is so—chill."

"Chill?" He laughed—a rich, warm sound that made me want to hear it again. "I'll take that as a compliment, Parker." His gaze held mine, a twinkle of mischief dancing in those blue depths. "But don't let the laid-back vibe fool you. I can be pretty intense, especially when it comes to helping our patients."

"Guess I have a lot to look forward to then," I said, feeling a strange sense of ease washing over me. Maybe it was his openness or the way he made me feel seen, but something about Travis sparked an immediate connection that I hadn't anticipated.

"Speaking of which, why don't we get started? Today, you can just observe if you'd like. Get the lay of the land so to speak."

"Sounds good."

The next couple of hours flew by, the clinic a revolving door of activity and at the center of it all was Travis. He was patient and understanding, treating his patients with compassion while also pushing them toward the next level in their recovery. Watching him was inspiring and I had a feeling I'd learn a lot from working with him.

"How about we grab lunch together?" Travis suggested when he finally had a break between appointments. "There's a cafe just around the corner—best sandwiches in town, and it'll give us a chance to chat outside of these four walls."

Lunch? With Travis? The idea sent a surge of excitement—and nerves—through me. "Yeah, that sounds great. I'd like that," I managed, surprised by my own eagerness.

"Awesome." He rose from the stool he'd been sitting on and stood tall, his athletic frame imposing yet inviting all at once.

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, we decided to walk to the cafe. Travis led us over to a booth by the window, the sunlight filtering through the retro-patterned curtains, casting playful shadows on the tabletop. "Best spot in the house," he declared with a flourish, sliding into the seat across from me. "You get to people-watch without them realizing you're doing it."

I chuckled at his observation, settling into my own seat while taking in the atmosphere. "This place has character," I said, appreciating the eclectic mix of vintage posters and local artwork adorning the walls.

"Wait till you try the food; it's unreal." His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. As we perused the menu, conversation flowed naturally. We volleyed back and forth, sharing tidbits of our lives amidst laughter and light-hearted banter. Travis regaled me with tales of some of his more…colorful clients which had me laughing harder than I had in a long time.

"And what about you, Parker?" he asked curiously, leaning forward. "Tell me about the man behind the physical therapist."

My mind danced back to the simplicity of home, and I found myself opening up more than I'd planned. "I grew up in a small town near Cincinnati," I began, tracing the condensation on my water glass. "It was one of those places where everyone knows your name, and your business is never just your own."

"Sounds cozy—and suffocating," he mused, his eyebrows arching in understanding.

"Exactly," I agreed with a soft laugh. "It was wonderful, but I always felt like there was a whole world out there waiting for me." My gaze drifted out the window to the bustling Chicago streets. "But now that I'm here, everything's so fast, so loud—overwhelming at times."

"Big change," Travis acknowledged, nodding thoughtfully. "But hey, it's also exciting, right? New beginnings, new possibilities." His smile was infectious, and I couldn't help but mirror it.

"Definitely exciting," I said, my spirits lifting. "It will just take some getting used to, I'm sure."

"Give it time. Chicago has a way of growing on you," he assured me.

Lunch arrived then, breaking the spell of our conversation as the waitress set down plates filled with towering sandwiches and crispy fries. The momentary distraction allowed me to gather my thoughts, yet part of me didn't want to break away from the easy connection I felt with Travis.

"So, what made you choose Chicago anyway?" he asked as soon as she'd walked away.

I swirled a french fry through a dollop of ketchup and when I looked back up, I found his blue eyes focused on mine. "I didn't really have a choice," I answered honestly. His eyebrows reached toward his hairline, and I laughed, realizing how my words could have been construed. "That probably came out wrong. What I meant to say was I wanted to move here because my boyfriend got a new job at Mercy. He's an emergency room doctor."

Travis gave me an incredulous look. "You moved here for a guy? Must be pretty serious then."

I shrugged, swirling another fry through the puddle of ketchup on my plate. "David and I have been together since high school, so yeah."

He let out a low whistle. "Well, I hope you guys will be happy here. Adjusting to a new city takes time, but you've got people around who want to help make this place feel like home for you. Count me in as one of them."

The sincerity in his voice wrapped around me, a comforting blanket warding off the last of the uncertainty I'd been feeling. "Thanks. That means a lot, really."I took a bite of my sandwich, savory flavors bursting on my tongue, and I realized that maybe, just maybe, Chicago wouldn't be so overwhelming after all. Not with someone like Travis at my side.

"Speaking of which—" He scooped up a fry, considering it for a moment before continuing. "How about I show you and David around this weekend? There are some spots in the city that aren't in the guidebooks. Places where real life happens, you know? Plus, we can grab some good eats along the way."

"Tour guide Travis, huh?" I teased, my heart warming at the offer. It wasn't just the invitation that touched me—it was the inclusion of David too. "You sure you're ready to take on that responsibility?"

"Absolutely." His laughter was easy, a sound that filled the room with happiness. "Besides, I've been told I'm pretty damn good at it. Worst case scenario, we end up at Whipped, dancing the night away."

"Whipped?" My head cocked to the side with curiosity.

"Only the best club in town. But don't worry," he added quickly, a playful wink accompanying his words, "we'll start with the PG-rated tour. Work our way up to R."

"Sounds like a plan," I agreed, already picturing the three of us taking on the city, guided by Travis's confident stride.

"Great!" He clapped his hands together once, as if sealing the deal.

The rest of lunch passed in a blur of easy banter. As we stood to leave, needing to get back for our afternoon appointments, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had found a piece of home right there in that bustling café, sitting across from a man whose kindness felt as familiar as it was exciting.

"Hey, Parker." Kara voice cut through my thoughts as I pushed through the doors of the therapy center. "How was lunch?"

"Great," I answered, more to myself than to her. My words felt light, buoyant. "Really great."

There was an ease to the rest of the afternoon, patients coming and going on an endless cycle. I hadn't realized how much I needed this, the camaraderie and connection, until Travis offered it so freely. There was no denying the pull I felt towards him, a magnetic draw that went beyond his undeniable physical appeal. He was also a genuinely nice guy.

By the time I headed home for the evening, my heart was a mix of gratitude and exhilaration. My phone rang as soon as I stepped outside. "Hey you! How was your first day?" David asked.

"It was great! Everyone was so nice, and I think I'm going to love working there. Travis is very laid-back, but he takes his job seriously. I can tell how much he cares about the patients. Oh, and Travis even offered to show us around the city this weekend," I added excitedly.

"Ah, making friends already?" David's tone was teasing, but I heard the pride underneath.

"More like a guide with benefits," I joked, earning a playful snort from him.

"Benefits, huh? Should I be worried?"

I laughed. "Only the benefit of knowing every corner of our new city."

"I'm so relieved to hear that everything went well, babe. This move was a good thing, you'll see."

I smiled as I hung up and pocketed my phone. I was beginning to think David was right. This move was certainly looking like a fresh start for both of us.