The morning light streamed through the glass panel, painting the room in warm gold. Kayden stood still in the middle of it, his steps halted, eyes fixed on the person in front of him.
She rose from the chair — dressed in a light blue uniform, auburn hair pulled into a ponytail that swayed gently with her movement. Her green eyes caught the golden light, and the same tote bag hung from one of her shoulders.
“Becca…?”
The name left him softer than he’d intended.
Her answering smile brought dimples to her cheeks, deepening with each passing second.
“Hey…” she said softly, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
He stepped closer. “Hey…” he echoed.
“You…” The word faltered on his tongue — as if everything else had slipped from his mind.
Becca let out a soft chuckle. “Cat got your tongue?” she teased, stepping a little closer to him. She tilted her head up as he looked down — their eyes meeting, lingering for a second longer than necessary before she broke away, her gaze dropping briefly to his hand.
She tapped it lightly, then stepped back.
“I arrived before you did,” she said, clutching her bag a little closer.
Kayden blinked — as if catching up with the moment.
His hand tingled where she had touched it.
It twitched, almost imperceptibly — as if the feeling had yet to fade.
“Yeah, you did,” he said after a moment of silence. “Usually it was me who waited here.”
She let out a small laugh. “Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” Her eyes crinkled at the corners.
He chuckled, a small smile touching his lips. He drew in a breath to speak — something he hadn’t quite formed yet—
“Becca?”
Karlie’s voice carried over to them.
Both of them turned towards her. She was still holding the clinic’s phone, one hand cupped over the receiver. “Mrs Reagan’s asking if her appointment is still available today.”
“Ah, yeah.” Becca nodded. “Tell her it’s 12:30 p.m., not eleven,” she added.
“Okay.” Karlie gave a thumbs-up before returning to her call, relaying the details.
They stood there for a moment, watching as Karlie busied herself.
“She… seems busier than usual,” Kayden said — the first thing that came to mind, filling the silence between them.
“Yeah, she does,” Becca replied, glancing up at him. “Come on,” she said, gesturing for him to follow. “Since we’re both early today, we might as well start the session now.”
“Okay…” He nodded, falling into step behind her as they walked through the familiar glass hallway, heading towards the physio room — the same room he had spent six weeks in.
As they neared the door, Kayden’s mind drifted back to what Karlie had said — something about a different time for another appointment under Becca. 
“Eleven?” The word slipped out before he could stop it.
Becca glanced at him, her head tilting slightly.
They came to a stop just outside the physio room.
He hesitated, then—
“Is it because of my session that someone else’s is being pushed back?”
She paused, unsure how to respond — caught off guard by the fact that he had noticed.
A flicker of fluster crossed her face as her gaze slipped away from his, settling instead on the door as she pushed it open. “You don’t have to worry about that,” she said a little too quickly.
They stepped into the room.
It was half-empty — the muted thud of weights being set down echoed softly, along with the low voice of another therapist giving instructions.
They moved to their usual places — the table for Becca, the padded bench for Kayden. He set his bag down, glancing over at her for a moment before looking away.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” he asked, his voice soft.
“Sure what?” she replied, placing her tote bag on a chair behind the table. She busied herself opening each of the drawers, briefly checking its contents — a row of protein bars and documents — before giving a small nod in satisfaction. Then she began straightening the stack of papers on the table when—
“I mean… having your schedule packed like this?”
She stilled.
Just for a second.
She looked over at him — only to find he was already watching her.
There was a quiet worry in his expression.
“Karlie mentioned your schedule was pretty full this week,” he began. “I told her it was fine if we didn’t have a new date yet… and then she said you’d called — that today would work.”
His gaze didn’t leave her face.
He shifted his weight slightly. “I was grateful, but… knowing you had to move someone else to fit me in…” he trailed off.
“Are you getting enough rest?”
The question came quieter than he intended.
Silence settled between them.
Becca blinked.
Huh…
It would be a lie to say it didn’t catch her off guard — that something in her hadn’t reacted to the concern in his voice.
But right now…
She let out a small huff. “You know…” she began, a soft smile forming on her lips. “Most people wouldn’t ask if it was inconvenient. You’re just… different, huh?”
There was something softer beneath her words.
“It’s not… about me being different or not,” he said, a little flustered by her comment.
She laughed. “It’s okay,” Becca reassured. “It’s not like I can’t handle it.”
Without quite breaking eye contact, she stepped away from the table and walked over to where he stood. She stopped in front of him — her gaze lifting as his lowered, their eyes meeting and holding.
“Well…” she began, a faint smile touching her lips. “I do want to see you as well.”
“Yeah?” Kayden murmured — like he wasn’t sure if he’d heard her right.
“Yep,” she said, her smile lingering for a moment longer. She brushed past him, her shoulder grazing his lightly — just enough to be noticed. “And I’d like to see your improvement too… so let’s get to it.”
“Hah…” A quiet chuckle slipped from him.
His eyes followed her as she moved towards the shelving unit. She picked up one of the hand weights and held it out to him, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.
“Let’s see how you handle this one.” A silent challenge glinted in her eyes.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them again. He reached out with his right hand, taking the weight from her. He tested it — curling it once — before meeting her challenge with a smirk.
“Ready when you are, Ms Therapist.”
—
“Okay, you can take a break,” Becca said, looping the resistance band around her hand.
She had switched to the band when she realised he had no trouble with curls — from one kilo to four. The green band offered more resistance; it had been challenging at first, but not enough to slow him down.
Becca had stood in front of him, holding the other end — just like she had in week two — guiding him through each motion: pull, hold, release.
And just like that day, he kept his attention on her — her steady stance, her calm, firm voice — not on the quiet tremor that lingered between them.
“You control it, not the other way around.”
That was what she had told him back then — and he meant to follow it through.
“Thanks,” Kayden muttered, pulling a face towel from his bag to wipe the sweat from his face and arms. He had forgone his pullover before the session, leaving it on the padded bench beside his bag. Now, he was in a black short-sleeved shirt.
He watched her move towards the shelving unit — hanging the band on a hook and returning the weights he had used. His gaze lingered a little longer than necessary before he caught himself, shaking his head slightly as he forced his attention back to his task.
Feeling dry enough, he draped the towel around his neck. He reached for his bag and opened it, about to take out his water bottle—
“Ah,” he murmured under his breath.
Becca turned, looking over at him.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I forgot my water bottle,” he replied, a little bashful.
They shared a look — blinking once, then twice — before a laugh slipped out of her, softer than she expected.
“That’s the first time you’ve forgotten,” she said, wiping at the corner of her eye.
“Yeah, great,” he mumbled, one hand going to the back of his neck. “Laugh all you want at my misery.”
She covered her mouth, as if trying to hide how much it amused her. But Kayden could see it — easily — the way her doe eyes crinkled, the quiet mirth glinting in them.
He couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips.
After all, it was hard not to smile when she did.
“Sorry, sorry,” she said, still smiling softly.
She moved towards the table, picking up her tote bag and pulling out her small purse. “Wait here for a bit,” she added, glancing at him once before stepping out of the physio room.
“Okay…” he muttered — mostly to himself — watching as the glass door slid shut in front of him.
He sat on the padded bench, his gaze fixed on the door — as if expecting it to open again. His fingers idly played with the towel draped around his neck until a vibration from his bag snapped his attention away.
He let go of the towel, opened his bag and fished out his phone. The screen lit up with a message from Richard. Kayden unlocked it, tapping on the notification.
Richard: I’m at the bakery right now. Want anything?
He frowned slightly — the word lingering for a second.
Bakery, huh?
He tapped the side of his phone a few times, mulling it over as his eyes drifted to the door again before making up his mind.
Kayden: Can you get me a sandwich and a coffee? I’ll pay you back later.
Richard: Okay.
The sound of the door opening caught his attention.
Becca stepped through — and he hadn’t realised he’d been staring at the door.
She was smiling, two bottles of water held in her hands.
“Here…” she said, holding one out to him.
He slipped his phone back into his bag and looked up at her — his gaze lingering for a moment, then dropping to the bottle in her hand.
He took it gently, the coolness of it a welcome contrast against his skin.
“Thanks,” he said softly.
He unscrewed the cap and took a sip.
The cool water slid down his parched throat, leaving him refreshed. He lowered the bottle, screwing the cap back on before setting it on his lap. He closed his eyes and drew in a slow breath.
When he opened them again and looked over, she was leaning against the table, her water bottle held loosely between her fingers.
She was already watching him — like she had been for a while, without realising it.
And Kayden…
He could feel the heat rise to his cheeks.
He looked away, clearing his throat — a little too quickly.
“Ah… you…” he began, faltering. “Aren’t you going to drink?”
“Huh?” She blinked, momentarily caught off guard before his words sank in.
“O–Oh, yeah,” she muttered, hastily unscrewing her bottle — only for it to slip from her grip and roll to his feet.
“Ah—” She stepped towards him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay,” he said, bending down to pick up the bottle. He unscrewed the cap before holding it out to her.
“Here.”
She accepted it sheepishly.
Their fingers brushed for the briefest moment as she took it.
She glanced at his hand for a second, then down at the loosened cap before speaking. “Looks like you can open it easily now, even after the exercises.”
Her gaze lifted back to his face. “That’s good news.”
“Yeah…” he muttered, glancing briefly at his hand before looking back at her. “Um, I did try drawing yesterday, since…” He gestured vaguely around the room — a little self-conscious.
Becca nodded in understanding — then paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You didn’t overdo it, right?” she asked, one brow raised.
“God, no,” he replied, a soft chuckle slipping out when he caught the look on her face — like she was already bracing to scold him.
“Nothing unusual with your hand, then?” she asked, gesturing towards it.
He shook his head. “Nothing,” he said. “I don’t feel any pain — no tremors or anything.”
He flexed his right hand, opening and closing it a few times. “I also did those button exercises,” he added, his gaze settling on her.
“And… you were right about me being tired before,” he continued. “When I tried it yesterday, it wasn’t that difficult.”
He saw the way her eyes lit up — the slow curve of her lips following. She tilted her head, her hair swaying behind her. “I told you it wasn’t a fluke…” she said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice.
“We’ve been at this for six weeks now — of course your hand’s steadier.” Her smile widened.
Kayden couldn’t help the laugh that slipped out of him. “Yeah, you’re right about that,” he said softly.
She set her water bottle on the table and clasped her hands together. “Now then,” she began, “as happy as I am with that news — you’re done with your break, right?”
“Well… yeah,” he said.
She walked around the table and opened her tote bag. “We’ve still got an hour left, so why not try something new?” There was a hint of excitement in her voice.
“Something new?” he echoed, slipping his bottle into his bag before setting it aside. He stood from the padded bench and stepped closer to her. “What is it?”
“Yep.” She pulled out a tablet, the keyboard case already attached.
She shot him another challenging look — one he was starting to recognise. “What do you say to some typing, Mr Artist?”
He glanced at the tablet, then back at her.
Another challenge?
“Well…” he began, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You’ve piqued my interest.”
—
“Good work today,” Becca said, her voice echoing softly in the now-empty room — the other patients gone, the therapists off on their lunch break.
She packed her tablet back into her bag as Kayden moved to where he had left his belongings. He checked inside — wallet, phone, face towel, water bottle, and his prescription — all accounted for before zipping it closed. 
He pulled on his pullover, then slung the bag over his shoulder. His gaze flickered back to her once—
And there she was, already moved from her spot, a protein bar resting in her hand — as if she’d been waiting.
He let out a small huff, shaking his head in amusement.
He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers.
“What flavour is this one?” he asked as he reached her.
“Chocolate with mixed nuts,” she replied, looking up at him — her gaze never breaking from his.
He took it gently from her grasp, their eyes still locked.
“Thanks,” he murmured. “For this.”
“Hmm…” she hummed softly.
They stood there in silence — breathing in each other’s presence, their bodies angling just a little closer… before Kayden stepped back.
She blinked, instinctively taking a step back as well.
His hand went to the back of his neck. “Ah… I’ll see you next week?” His voice sounded a little off.
“Yeah…” Flustered, she gave a small thumbs-up.
He nodded, then turned around and left through the glass door.
Silence.
Becca stood alone in the room.
Her hand rose to her chest —
thump, thump, thump.
She inhaled, counting to five before exhaling slowly.
She patted her cheek — not hard enough to hurt, just enough to steady herself.
What are you doing?
“This doesn’t feel professional at all…” she muttered.
With a sigh, she left the room and headed for the break room.
Asha — one of the therapists — was already there, eating at the table.
“What is it? You okay?” she asked between bites.
“Yeah, I’m good,” Becca replied. “Just… forgot to get food. And I don’t have time to buy anything before my next session.”
“Ouch. Want to share mine?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll just grab one of my protein bars—”
“Becca.”
She turned. Karlie stood at the doorway, holding a chicken sandwich and an iced coffee.
“Here. Your food.”
“What?” Becca frowned, taking it. “I didn’t order anything…”
Karlie smiled. “Of course you didn’t, honey. Kayden got it for you — said you might be hungry.”
Becca stilled.
The words settled. Slowly.
“Are you getting enough rest?”
“Thanks… for this.”
The way he had looked at her.
The way he had asked.
And now… this.
“Oh, is it that handsome guy?”
Asha’s voice felt distant — drowned out by the rush of blood in her ears.
Heat crept up her cheeks.
Her pulse refused to steady.
No…
Don’t tell me—