“Vicki, this is Fernando. He’s going to be helping us out this morning,” I interject.
“Fantastic.” She smacks her lips together.
I feel a twinge of jealousy. “Fernando, if you don’t mind, can I have you grab our refreshment table? It’s in the closet of the exam room we gave Robin the bath in.”
“Si, anything you want, Ava.”
Vicki’s eyes continue to follow him until he’s out of sight and earshot, and then she lets out a low whistle. “Is that the guy from the other day? I recognize his voice! I didn’t think he’d be so handsome in person.” She fans herself. “I can’t believe you scored a date with him! Does he have a brother? Or a friend?”
I furrow my brow and glance toward the back door. “Vicki!” I admonish, lowering my voice. “It’s not like that. Our relationship is strictly professional. He’s volunteering here today as a way of paying me back for all the help I gave him over the phone. That’s all.”
“So you’re not dating him?” she says slowly.
“No,” I answer quickly.
“Would you mind if I asked him out on a date, then?”
I don’t know why, but I feel possessive of Fernando. It’s not like I’m looking to date anyone. After the Dylan fiasco, it’s the last thing I want. “Be my guest,” I murmur, forcing a smile onto my face. “But I have no idea if he’s single.”
The words come out more bitter than I intended. It’s not like Ihave a claim on him. But some irrational part of me wants to pull him aside and say,Actually, he’s helping me today. Maybe he’s here for me.Ridiculous, I know. I don’t do spontaneous or bold. “Don’t worry. I’ll find out,” I tell her instead.
“Where would you like this?” Fernando reenters the room.
I point to a spot opposite the door, near the wall overfilled with bags of dry cat and dog food. “Right there would be great.”
I watch as Vicki confidently strides up to Fernando, breakfast in hand, and initiates a conversation about his favorite types of animals and whether he has any pets. It’s like watching a Hallmark movie meet-cute play out.
My mouth suddenly feels like I’ve stuffed a bag of sour Warheads into it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. This isn’t supposed to matter. I can’t watch. I need to get away. “I’m gonna go and look for the tablecloth, cups, and other stuff,” I announce.
Vicki shoots me a silent “I owe you one for letting us be alone” look, and as quickly as my feet can carry me, I flee to the safety of the back.
Inside the break room, I whip out my phone and decide to spend a few minutes scrolling through Photogram. I pulled out all the supplies we need last night. They’re in a box on the counter behind me. The app loads and greets me with some adorable puppy photos, my niece and nephew, Mom’s dinner, then finally, Dylan.
I freeze and stare blankly at the snapshot of him standing in front of a white door, dangling a set of keys. The caption reads: “The next adventure begins now. Couldn’t be more excited to be back home again.”
I frown. He arrived in Fort Collins already? And he didn’t text me to let me know? I back out of Photogram and pull up my texts. Nope, he didn’t. It’s not like him. I know things might be a little weird between us after I confessed my feelings for him, but I didn’t think the dynamic would change so quickly.
Leaning against the door, I take a few slow, deep, steadying breaths. I fight the urge to send him a text. I can’t getworked up about this. Maybe he was just busy or too tired. He’s had to drive for three days straight, after all. Yeah, that has to be it. I’m still hurting deeply, but I do want us to continue being friends.
A couple minutes later, in a slightly better headspace after my second cup of coffee and a few Reese’s Pieces from my secret candy stash, I reenter the lobby. Vicki is sitting behind the computer, while Fernando is laying out some clipboards and pens on another folding table that’s been set up opposite the door.
“Did you find everything?” Vicki asks without looking up.
“I did. Took a little while though.” I set the box of supplies on top of the table. “We’ll need to pick up more utensils before next month. I raided the break room to make sure we had enough.”
“I’ll add it to the Costco list.”
As I begin to open the tablecloth, Fernando slides up next to me. There’s some heat rolling off his body. No wonder he prefers short sleeves. “What’s next, Dr. B?”
“The plan is to cover this.” I gesture to the table. “Then set up the food and have Vicki give you a brief crash course on how to sign people in.”
Hearing this, my receptionist looks up, cocking her head to the side. “And what am I going to be doing?”
“You’ll be my tech.”
“Yes! Finally!” She fist-pumps. “Dr. Conti never let me do anything, but you can count on me, boss! I’m ready.”
“I won’t have to use a computer, will I?” Fernando’s large eyes widen with concern.
