Free Bodywork by Marie Harte Page A

her in a bone-crushing hug. Shelby hadn’t seen George — Geo — in over a month. He’d had knee surgery at the end of the school year and had come into her clinic to speed his recovery. She looked down at the fading scar on his knee .
    “How’s the leg?” She knew football practice must be near to starting if it hadn’t already.
    “It’s good. I wear that hellacious knee-brace , but it doesn’t slow me down .”
    Shelby had been flattered yet hesitant when Geo had first flirted with her . But his sense of humor , tenacity, and drive to recuperate had made her like him tremendously. With his dark good looks and charming grin, she had no doubt he had girlfriends galore in school . She’d bet her last paycheck Lorraine Collins had her hands full with this one.
    “So what brings you around?”
    “I was strolling down Queen Anne and thought I’d look in on my favorite therapist . Actually, I was getting a card for my aunt’s birthday and saw your door open. I’m surprised to see you working on a Saturday.”
    “I don’t normally, but I had clients needing extra help. So what about you? Are you playing yet?”
    George strolled around the large hardwood area at the front of her shop, toying with the exercise balls on the floo r that Ann, a fitness coach, used for training. “Practice began last week . So far, so good. It’s looking like I should start as quarterback again this year.”
    “Good for you .” Shelby poked him in the arm. “ So who did you decide to make your number one? The head cheerleader or ex- Student Council president?” Ah, the dilemmas of youth.
    George gave her a devilish grin , and Shelby had a sudden case of déjà vu. Odd. “Neither one yet . I decided to ask the c aptain of the girls’ soccer team on a date. We’re seeing a movie tonight .”
    “Wow, George. Just one girl during senior year?”
    He grinned. “ It’s too early to tell. Besides, I’m too young for monogamy.”
    “Gimme a break.”
    “No, really. I can’t imagine settling down ‘til I’m old, like thirty-one maybe . ” H e smirked. “Or twenty-seven.”
    “Jerk.”
    He snickered and hopped onto a nearby stool. “So what’s t he story with your love life?”
    “Nosy guy.” W hen he only stared at her with that engaging grin, she sighed. “Nothing much to tell,” she said. “I’m taking it easy for a while. Heck, I’m young like you. I figure I don’t need to settle un til I’m old and gray . I have four more years until I hit thirty-one, right? ”
    He hopped off the stool and chuckled. ”That’s what I’m saying .” He wandered into each of the back offices and called out, “ Place still looks as good as it did when I was in here . ”
    Shelby managed to refrain from remarking that just because George had moved on didn’t mean she ’d let her practice go to ruins.
    “What’s this?” he asked as he came out of her massage room .
    He handed Shelby a card.
    She took it from him. “Shane Collins, Harmon & Sons Architecture? I could have sworn I’d swept up in there,” she murmured to herself, a frown on her face as she studied the card of the man who’d been on her mind all week long.
    “Who’s the dude?” George asked innocently. “New boy friend?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Oh, you’re not sure?”
    She glanced up from the card to see him looking at her strangely. “I’m not discussing my love life with a seventeen year old.”
    “Love life, eh?”
    “And get that smirk off your face. I’m not old and dried up yet.”
    “Aw, Shelby. I’d never think that of you.” The leer on his face looked out of place.
    “You’re creeping me out. No way I’m even pretending to flirt back with you, Geo. I’m too young and pretty to be carted off to jail for carrying on with an u nder- aged boy .”
    He scowled. “I’m not under-aged. I’m seventeen. And I’m not a boy.”
    “Man, male, boy. You’re all the same. You’re missing that important leg of the chromosome