Page 18 of Spatially UnawareWolf

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“That’s a very good thing,” he said. “You’re not scared of water, are you?”

I rolled my eyes and gave a pointed look at the shoreline that ran alongside the park. “Weird segue, but no. I live in a beach town and I’m not a cat.”

Hunter laughed. “I know it seems like a strange question, but I thought I’d check. Tomorrow we’re starting water therapy. Meet me at the center at seven.”

“Is the coffee shop an option?” I asked.

He snorted. “I’ll buy you a coffee once you get your legs under control, okay?”

“It’s a date,” I said.

Hunter’s brows pulled together. “I don’t get involved with my clients, Luke. It’s a rule of mine.”

“Figure of speech,” I lied, and I didn’t miss the relief on his face. Which, seriously? I’d just caught him checking me out. But if I was off-limits according to his rules, I was going to respect that, even if it sucked for me. I swallowed my disappointment and asked, “Is there a pool at the rehab center?”

“We’re not exactly swimming.”

“Well, what are we doing?” I was curious now.

“You’ll find out tomorrow. Trust me, remember?”

“Fine. Be mysterious.” I stood and stretched, my spine cracking. “I’m gonna head home.” I started to walk across the park toward the street that led to my apartment building, doing my best to walk without weaving from side to side. I guessed shifting had thrown me off-kilter.

“Luke, wait!”

I turned at the sound of Hunter’s voice. He was jogging toward me, the cooler bag over one shoulder. “You’re walking?” he asked as he caught up.

“Yeah. I don’t quite trust myself to drive right now, and it’s not far.”

His brow creased. “Mind if I walk with you? I’d like to make sure you get home safely.”

I stopped and gestured up and down my six-foot frame. “Yeah, because I’m clearly in danger of being mugged.”

He snorted. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I know shifting can take it out of you, and I don’t want you wandering into traffic.”

“I’m not going to wander into—” I paused as a wave of dizziness washed over me and okay, he might have a point.

Hunter raised an eyebrow. “You okay?”

“You can walk with me if it makes you feel better,” I said.

He reached into his bag and wordlessly handed me a second sports drink, and I drank it as we walked in companionable silence. The streets were mostly deserted and the moonlight made everything glow with an eerie, pale brightness. It was like we were the only two people in the world. Hunter’s handsome features stood out in stark relief, and I couldn’t stop sneaking looks at him. Except every time I did, I caught him sneaking looks at me, even though he tried to hide it. This attraction was definitely mutual, even if he did have a stupid no-dating rule.

I wondered if that extended to casual hookups.

It didn’t take long to get to my building, and I was surprised when Hunter followed me inside. But before I had a chance to ask him what he was doing, I was distracted by a set of cones and yellow hazard tape surrounding the elevator, with an Out of Order sign stuck to the doors.

Well, fuck.

“Problem?” Hunter asked.

I nodded at the corner where the signage was. “That was my plan for getting upstairs. Guess I’ll have to figure something else out.”

I expected Hunter to leave, but he looked between the broken elevator, the stairs, and me, then nodded to himself as if coming to a decision. He rolled his shoulders and said, “Would you be insulted if I offered to help you get up the stairs?”

I wasn’t insulted by his suggestion—far from it. If anything, I was relieved. The fact he was willing to go out of his way to help me had warmth curling in my chest. “Honestly, I’m on board with whatever you have planned,” I said. “Because, full disclosure, I have zero clue how I’m getting up there otherwise.”