The Love Doctor

by S. W. Andersen

  "Trust me, you won't be disappointed. They're one of the best in the city for Latin food.

  "Okay, but if you're wrong-"

  "You'll do wicked things to me?"

  "Yeah." Runa's eyes brightened as she relaxed. She nudged Reyna's elbow with her own and drifted closer. "Something like that," she added in a hushed tone.

  They ordered the house special, per Reyna's recommendation—chicken with rice and plantains. In a matter of minutes, they had full plates in their hands. She led Runa to an empty seat outside so they could enjoy nightfall on the beach side.

  "Okay," mumbled Runa, her mouth full of food. "You're off the hook." She swallowed. "This is amazing. I mean, it's just chicken and rice, but the spices are mouthwatering."

  "Whew." Reyna wiped her brow in mock relief. "I was worried. I'd been sweating what wicked things you could come up with."

  Runa nearly choked as she laughed. A large gulp of water helped to wash down her food so she could offer a witty reply. "You should sweat that, but like I said, not today."

  The silence that followed was comfortable, but heavy with a mix of emotions. Reyna took comfort in the fact she wasn't alone. The look in Runa's eyes—attraction, confusion, intrigue—and the fidgeting of her fork in her fingers gave her away. Reyna cleared her throat and broke their gaze. "So," she said, then paused for a delicate sip of water before continuing, "how did someone so young, a woman no less, score the job of head strength coach for a men's professional sports team?"

  "Well…" Runa leaned back in her chair. She draped her free arm over the back of the seat beside her with her usual aura of confidence. "I always loved to work out. I played hockey competitively growing up, so training was ingrained in me. I went to undergrad at Miami and while I was studying exercise phys, I got certified as a personal trainer. I was a hard ass and the clients loved the results. Plus, I really did enjoy the work. It's rewarding to see people transform their bodies or reach a goal they thought they never would."

  "I bet it is." Reyna hung on every impassioned word. It was easy to see how much Runa loved her career. It wasn't just her enthusiasm that made being around her so much fun. Her confidence was all kinds of sexy and her laid-back demeanor was addictive as hell. It was warm and friendly, like a favorite blanket on a cold winter day that Reyna never wanted to unravel from.

  "So, I decided to branch out into other certifications," Runa continued. "Beach Body, CrossFit, high intensity training, anything I could find. One of my friends on the track team was graduating and wanted to train for the Olympic Trials in the decathlon. He didn't have many resources, so I trained him for free. He killed it and ended up winning a silver medal. Turns out, he knew a guy on the Sands and when their old coach retired, he insisted they give me a look. The rest is history."

  "Wow. I can tell you love it too. And it is definitely important to be great at what you do, but it always comes down to who you know."

  "True, and while I can't say it was a goal of mine, I am loving the hell out of it."

  "That's really great. You know, it's always so weird to me to think of people playing ice hockey in Florida." Reyna laughed and her belly tumbled yet again when those bright blue eyes met her own. "Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy the sport. There's really nothing else like it, but...you know?"

  "Oh, I know. I grew up in upstate New York and moved here when I was twelve. Talk about culture shock. The competition was different, for sure, but it's growing. Glad to know you like hockey. I guess we can be friends now." With a shy grin she looked away, then took another long gulp of her drink. "So, do you think this plan will work? I mean, really?"

  "Absolutely," Reyna answered without pause, though her heart thudded into her stomach, the weight feeling as heavy as her grandma's dreaded chicken curry casserole. She cleared her throat and controlled her expression before adding, "But just remember, it's important that Allie treats you right. Getting her to notice you is one thing, but don't settle for anything less than what you deserve just because you finally got the attention. You get what I'm saying?"

  After a moment of contemplation, Runa nodded and resumed eating dinner. Yes, it was something they warned all their clients about before the first meeting, but Reyna could admit she had more interest in this one than she should. Anxious to get herself back on track, she focused on the job once again. "Tell me more about what Allie likes." She picked up her fork and sifted through the rice in search of more chicken.

  Runa's smile grew wide and she went on and on about eighties hair bands, Italian food, American muscle cars, and all other things Allie related. Reyna sat in silence, taking in the details that might be of help later, but mostly, she wondered if anyone would ever be as excited about her?

  CHAPTER TEN

  Two fingers tickled the base of the empty wine glass on the table as Sofia lounged on her couch and stared up at the ceiling. The sweet remnants of the familiar Napa blush still tantalized her tongue, leaving her taste buds begging for more. Fortunately, there was still another half a bottle left. The numbness of mind she'd been chasing had finally been caught. Her eyes drifted shut, until a heavy knock on the front door shook the walls of Sofia's fortress of solitude. She refused to move, hoping her lack of response would send the offender away.

  No such luck. The pounding only grew louder. She exhaled and muttered, "Reyna." This is what happens when I ignore her texts. Some of them had been about the dress, but mostly, Rey had been pushing for their little talk and Sofia was in no mood for one.

  Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

  Sofia grumbled and turned over, pushing her face down into the tan microfiber sofa she'd crashed on minutes after kicking off her shoes and peeling off her blazer. That had been four hours ago.

  She lifted her head and growled out loud, "Go away."

  "Sofia, cut the shit and open the damned door already," Reyna hissed back through the wooden barrier. "You know I'm not going anywhere until you talk to me."

  "I don't want to talk tonight. Can we do this another day? Please?"

  Her request was met with silence. Sofia sighed and sank back into the cushions in relief, until the ringing of her phone returned every muscle to peak tension from toes to jaw. The screen flashed Reyna's name and photo. Sofia's teeth grit down hard. She answered with uncharacteristic harshness, "You couldn't just do this one thing for me?"

  "Not this one thing. Please, Sofia, let me in. I promise you'll feel better letting it out. Remember your therapist sa-"

  Before the sentence could be finished, Sofia slammed her phone on the floor, bound from the couch, and ripped the front door open. She turned and walked back to the couch without a word.

  ♥♥♥

  "Thank you." Despite the evil eye she received, Reyna smiled softly and shut the door behind her. She slipped off her heels and set her purse on the table, then made her way toward the living room. Sofia had already settled on the couch. From the look of things, she'd been there a while. Reyna took notice of the blazer and loafers piled in an uncharacteristic heap on the floor. A quick analysis revealed the situation to be worse than she'd thought. The pile wasn't the biggest problem, neither was the wad of used tissues, but the empty wine bottle on the floor with a second one half-devoured on the table heightened her concern.

  They'd been through bouts like this before. Sofia had fallen into several deep depressions over Kylar, but this time something felt different. Sofia had checked out after seeing the picture of Allie and the other night her mood had shifted on a dime. She had seen her best friend at her very lowest, complete with blank stares and eyes red and puffy from crying, but this look was new. The haunted expression chilled her to the bone, setting off every inner alarm. Though it had been seven years, Sofia just couldn't seem to get on with her life and it was worrisome. She deserved to be happy again.

  For a moment, Reyna had thought about calling the therapist, then reconsidered. First, she would see if she could get Sofia to talk. "Hey," she greeted, her voice low and soft as she
stooped down on a knee beside the sofa. She picked the empty bottle up and set it aside. Sofia continued to stare straight ahead, almost catatonic, with her hands balled into fists and arms wrapped tight against her chest. Pulling Sofia's right hand free and taking it into her own, she angled to catch her eyes as she pleaded, "Please, talk to me."

  "I don't want to talk."

  "Come on, Sof, let me help you."

  Silence.

  "Something happened. Why won't you let me in?"

  "Rey-"

  "Sofia, I'm here for you. I love you and I'm not leaving you like this. If you won't talk to me, let me call Liz."

  "I don't want a therapy session."

  "Okay…then, how about we start with the other night? You ran out on me. You should've been celebrating, but instead, you were upset. Why? What happened when I was gone?"

  "Nothing happened, per se."

  "But something spooked you."

  She nodded. "I saw a woman in the bar. She was breathtaking and I...I don't know. She struck me in a way that…" Sofia shook her head. A tissue that had been hidden in her left fist was brought up to dab at her eyes. "It hurt. More so than I could have ever imagined." A tear rolled down her cheek.

  "I can understand that." Reyna sat quiet for a moment, analyzing what wasn't being said. "And today, when you saw the photo of Allie?"

  "She um…" Sofia fidgeted and glanced away before she finished, "Looked like the woman at the bar. It was like de ja vu or something and I was still reeling from last night."

  "Oookay..." She wasn't buying it, but at least Sofia was talking. "How did it make you feel?"

  "The feeling was…" Sofia tipped her head in thought, as if fully assessing the memory for the correct choice of words. "Good for a moment. Then," she let out a sharp, pained huff, "it was like a cruel joke. It broke my heart to experience it again."

  "Were you interested in her? Did you feel something?"

  "For Allie?"

  Sofia's jaw clenched and something flashed in her eyes, something Reyna couldn't place. She made a note to herself, but continued on her current line of questioning. "No, the woman at the bar."

  "Oh," Sofia breathed out, the muscles in her jaw falling slack. "She was stunning," she admitted with a near breathless sigh. "But it wasn't like that." Sofia's shake of the head in denial was adamant, but her tone said otherwise and Reyna narrowed her eyes. "No," Sofia reinforced, her demeanor signaling it was more for her own benefit than Reyna's. "There will only ever be Kylar. She's the love of my life."

  Sofia stood from the couch, swift and abrupt, then rushed to her room, leaving Reyna alone with her thoughts. Having witnessed the full cycle of Sofia and Kylar's life together, the pain of the loss weighed heavily on her as well. Anger and sorrow hadn't only been Sofia's battle, but all who'd been close to them.

  Life could be so shitty sometimes. The nicest people in the world often experienced the harshest side of reality. Despite that, Sofia had climbed out of the pitch black of depression into the shaded guise of adequately resuming life—mostly. If only she could truly step back out into the light, Reyna was certain Sofia would find true happiness once again.

  "But you can love again," Reyna whispered to the empty room, wishing her words had the strength to penetrate thin sheets of drywall, a thick skull, and one heavily guarded heart.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Their sleek black Mercedes limo pulled to a stop outside the Finebaum gallery. The round multi-story building constructed of mirrored glass welcomed a long line of tuxes and gowns via red carpet. Flashes blinded almost as much as the gaudy jewelry adorning the rich and famous.

  "Holy…" Runa leaned across Reyna's lap and gawked at the sight. "I don't know about this, Rey. This is so not my scene."

  The heady scent of Runa's light musk had Reyna dizzy with desire. The proximity of her creamy skin was so temptingly close that Reyna's fingers itched to see if it was as smooth as it appeared. But she remained strong. This is work, she reminded herself over and over again until Runa sat back in her seat.

  Runa's fingers fidgeted with the edge of her dress, her eyes wide and lips pulled into a tight line. All semblance of the strong woman had vanished, replaced by a shell-shocked little girl. As much as Reyna would love to wrap her in her arms and comfort her, she knew her place. It was business. More than that, it was showtime.

  Reyna pulled out her phone and messaged Sofia to let her know they'd arrived, then slid it back into her clutch. She looked up at Runa. She couldn't fathom the nervousness Runa must be suffering being mere minutes away from trying to woo the woman she'd loved for the last ten years. There was no telling how Allie would respond, but Runa was a catch and Allie would be a fool to not give her a chance. "You ready to get your girl?"

  Runa stared back at her, but no response came out. Reaching across the gap between them, Reyna gave in to her need to touch and placed her hand on Runa's in support. The soft skin beneath her fingers felt every bit as luxurious as imagined. Her heart skipped when their eyes met and Runa instantly relaxed the tension in her shoulders. A smile tugged at the corners of rigid lips that had been pulled taut in contemplation of what lie ahead.

  Reyna asked, "You okay?"

  "Yeah." Runa nodded with little conviction. "Just nervous."

  Time for a pep talk and it needed to be a good one. "I'm sure you are, but this is your moment. The one you've been waiting for. Be confident. You look amazing and you already have an in since you know one another. Just follow the plan. I'm here if you need me."

  Runa nodded, this time with more enthusiasm.

  "Good. Now get out there and get it for the Dipper."

  A heady laugh roared from Runa's chest. "That's not how it goes."

  Reyna threw her a cheeky wink. "I know, but it loosened you up." The smile she earned was worth everything—the shopping, the research, the impending agony of watching Runa with another woman.

  "It did. Thanks. I don't know how I'd do this without you."

  No words followed. Reyna had none appropriate for the moment. Instead, she offered a small smile and exhaled in relief as the valet opened the door. They exited the vehicle with Reyna taking the lead. They smiled and posed, showing off their attire for the cameras as they made their way through the door. A laugh was shared when Runa said the guys would tease her relentlessly if they ever saw her red-carpet debut, though Reyna was certain the response would be more along the lines of knocking down her door with date offers. Once inside, however, it was all business. After a quick stop to the restroom for a last second check, they made their way into the event area.

  Reyna brought them to a halt just before the entrance. "Hang on, let me take a look first." She stealthily snuck a glance at the setup inside. The glass staircase that descended to the main floor would make for a grand entrance. She searched the crowd and it didn't take long to spot her target. Oh, this is perfect. Allie was positioned just a few feet away from the bottom of the steps, engaged in what appeared to be less than enthusiastic conversation with a gentleman. Runa would be the perfect distraction and there was no way Allie could miss her.

  Reyna hurried back and encouraged a slow entrance—alone. "It's go time. You. Are. Stunning. Own it. Now, go get her."

  "Right." Runa nodded feverishly, psyching herself up. "I can do this."

  "Yes, you can. You will." Had they been in a locker room, she imagined there'd be chest bumping or something. Instead, only an odd moment of silence followed.

  Runa took a step, then paused and turned back, her blue eyes a swirl of emotion. "Thank you, Rey. Really."

  "It's what we do."

  "Maybe, but…I feel like you went above and beyond, so…no matter what, I, um, hope we can be friends later."

  Reyna tried her best not to appear too giddy at the suggestion. If she had failed, Runa hadn't let on. "I'd really like that." Besides weddings, they rarely stayed in contact with their clients much after their business concluded, but this was one exception she wanted to make. Hopefull
y, Runa meant what she'd said.

  A soft smile touched Runa's lips. She leaned in and placed a feather-light peck to Reyna's cheek, lingering a second longer than necessary before taking a deep breath and pulling back with a confident grin. "Okay. Here I go."

  Still floating from the electricity of those lips upon her skin, Reyna looked on in silence as Runa turned the corner. Her hand made her way to her cheek and her fingers traced the site of the kiss with reverence…and longing. Her heart stuttered a beat. Her breath came out in a shaky exhale. Not wanting to miss the exchange, even if it would hurt like hell, she shook herself free and rushed to the corner.

  Runa could've easily been mistaken for a runway model as she made her way down the steps. Her blonde hair was pulled back tight and pinned up with a twist. A touch of makeup highlighted those magnificent eyes and accentuated her shapely lips. Heads turned at the high slit that traveled the length of her long, toned legs. The gentleman Allie had been speaking to fell silent as his eyes locked on her. Allie turned, only to fall victim to the same spell.

  Reyna smiled wide and concealed a fist pump before pulling out her phone to send off a series of texts to Sofia: We have liftoff.

  The dress was a winner. You should've seen Allie's face :D

  I'll catch up with you tomorrow. Let's do brunch.

  Her celebratory mood disappeared as she sent off the last text. Their bright smiles and heated gazes squeezed like a fist around her heart, choking the life from her. "Good luck, Runa," she whispered and dabbed at a tear forming in the corner of her eye. Unable to watch any longer, she headed for the lobby to wait it out in case she was needed. At least there was no shortage of champagne to drown her sorrows in.

  ♥♥♥