“No.” I shake my head. “Clinics are usually just good ol’ fashion paper and pens. A lot of the people today we’ll only see as a one-off. Your job will be to make sure all the paperwork is filled out to make it easy for Vicki. She’ll be the one ringing the clients up, processing payments, and recording the vaccine info. The next time you’re here though, we’ll add in the computer,” I joke, fully expecting this to be his one and only time he volunteers.
He wipes his brow with mock relief. “Sí, next time. I’ll be ready.”
“Come on, Nando, we only have about fifteen minutes ’til the doors open.” Vicki gently pushes him toward the reception area.
I can’t believe Vicki’s already given him a nickname. I shake my head and wander back into exam room one.
“I’d count today as a major win, Dr. B,” Vicki exclaims as we sit in the lobby munching on some of the leftover bagels.
“What was the final count?” I ask.
“Thirty-four. We had twenty-six dogs and eight cats.”
“That is a good turnout,” I agree, happy to finally sit after being on my feet for most of the morning and afternoon. I’ve definitely got all my steps in for the day. Another reason I don’t need a gym membership.
“It felt a lot busier than that.” Fernando sips on his coffee. “I could’ve sworn you helped a hundred patients.”
“I’d need to clone myself for that.” I laugh. “I think it might’ve felt busier to you because the reception area was full the entire time. When there’s that many animals around, it’s chaotic.”
Vicki nods. “Totally.”
“Do you have a date in mind for the next clinic?” Fernando asks.
I glance at the wall calendar. “Um, probably the second Sunday in January.”
“We aren’t doing a clinic in December?” Vicki frowns.
“No. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”
She shrugs, surprisingly not asking more. As my gaze follows her, I notice her watching Fernando with longing eyes as he checks his phone. Ah-ha. She’s too preoccupied to have processed what I said.
“If the date changes, Ava, let me know.” He glances up from the screen. “I’ve saved the weekend for you.”
Hearing him say that warms my body. “We haven’t scared you off? Are you sure you want to come back after today?” I stand and stretch, brushing a few crumbs off my pants.
“No. Even if it was hectic, it was still fun. I’ll be back.” My stomach flutters in delight. He stands too, tossing his cup into the trash. “I need to get going. I wish I could stay and help clean up, but...”
I place a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve done more than enough. Thanks again for everything.”
“It was my pleasure.”
Our eyes lock, and for several long moments, I wonder if there’s a thunderstorm headed our direction because my body feels like it’s filled with static electricity.
It’s only when the sound of Vicki’s voice fills the room that we break apart. “Boss lady, I’m going to reconcile the receipts. Do you mind if I leave a little early, too, when I finish?”
“No, um, that’s fine.” My cheeks sear with heat. I hope she didn’t notice us. “You’ve given up a lot of your weekend already.”
“Adiós, ladies.” Fernando waves and exits the clinic.
“Bye,” Vicki calls out, watching him through the front window as he slides into his car and drives away.
“Did you have any luck scoring a date with him?” I ask as I close the box of leftover bagels and screw the lid on top of the coffee jug.
“No.” Vicki’s shoulders hunch. “That gorgeous hunk of a man said he isn’t on the market right now. I knew there was a good chance he’d be taken, but I was still hoping I had a shot.” She exhales deeply. “At this rate, I’ll never find a boyfriend.”
A part of me is gleeful that I won’t have to worry about Fernando and Vicki becoming an item. But I’m also disappointed that he’s taken. Another part of mekindof wanted to ask him out too. “You’ll find someone, Vicki. Don’t worry.”
“I hope so. I’m tired of being the third wheel whenever I go out with my friends.” She sits down at the computer and prints out an end-of-day report.
