“You and Reed?”
I roll my eyes at the way he says it. “Me and Reed beingfriends.”
“Of course it doesn’t bother me.” He nudges my shoulder. “And it wouldn’t bother me if you decided to be something more, either.”
“Sean—”
He holds his hands up. “I’m just saying. You’re both great guys. Maybe something to think about.”
“M-hmm.” Definitely not going to be thinking about that. For one thing, Reed was very clear about not wanting to get involved with anyone. And even if he changes his mind and decides that he’s interested in me, it’s not like he’s round the corner.
Granted Worcester is only two and a half hours away, but I work long and sometimes unsociable hours. And I’m on call a lot. I couldn’t expect him to be the one doing all the travelling. It wouldn’t be fair.
It’s not lost on me that none of my arguments are that I don’t want to. But it’s never going to happen, so the point is moot.
I’m just finishingup at the surgery when my phone rings. I glance at the screen and am surprised to see Reed’s name. We don’t do this. We don’t call each other, we text.
I’m not sure why I’m so hesitant to answer it, but I wait so long the ringing stops, and then I’m cursing myself for being an idiot. It’s just a phone call, jeez. I snatch up the phone and call him back, ignoring the butterflies going crazy in my belly.
“Hey,” Reed answers immediately. “I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”
It’s a good job he can’t see me, because just hearing his voice has me smiling. “Nope. I’m just about done for the day.”
“You’re still at work?”
“Yeah, it’s later than I normally stay, but we had an emergency come in.”
There’s a pause, like he doesn’t know whether to ask or not, then, “Everything okay?”
“Oh yeah,” I hurry to reassure him. “A cat got hit by a car, but thankfully nothing we can’t fix.”
I hear his sigh of relief and grin. Such a softie. “Talking of cats,” I prompt, because I still haven’t heard anything about his new arrival.
“That’s why I’m calling. Can we FaceTime? I want to show you.”
“Er...” I catch a glance of my reflection on one of the windows. Like I said, it’s been a long day, and I’m not exactly looking my best.
But you’re just friends. What does it matter?
That voice in my head sounds an awful lot like Sean—both teasing and curious.
“It’s okay if you don’t?—”
“Yeah, it’s fine.” I interrupt him because there’s no missing the disappointment in his voice, and I’m not being responsible for that. My vanity can fuck right off.
“You sure?”
“Absolutely. I can’t wait to see this cat of yours.”
He ends the call, and I lean against the counter, waiting for him to FaceTime me back.
I’m so not prepared when his beaming face suddenly fills my screen.
“Hey.” Reed’s smile is instant, reaching all the way to his eyes so they crinkle at the corners. Fuck me, I’ve forgotten how hot he is. Especially when he’s all excited like he is now.
“Hey.” My voice is steady at least, because my heart has decided to have a party in my chest.
We stare at each other for a beat too long, and I’m starting to get paranoid about what he sees when he looks at me. “Show me this cat of yours then.”
