Nope, I was right.
“I’m fine with my decision,” I tell Sally. “Really. It’s better this way.”
Sally looks like she wants to argue more, but the door chimes and a patient walks in.
“Good morning, ladies. I’m Ruby,” she says. “I have an appointment at ten-thirty.”
“Perfect timing.” Sally types something into her computer. “You’re all set. Wren will take you back to her consulting room.”
I gesture for Ruby to follow me, grateful for the interruption. “Right this way.”
The vaccination takes less than five minutes. Ruby is an easy patient, chatting pleasantly about her daughter’s upcoming birthday party.
“All done,” I tell her. “You’re good for another year.”
“Thank you.” She hops down from the exam table.
I smile and walk her back out to reception, then return to my office to update my records.
The rest of the morning passes in a blur of routine appointments. Three more patients, all straightforward vaccinations with no complications. By the time I finish with the last one, my stomach is growling, and I’m more than ready for lunch. We’re excited to try the new place that opened up down the road.
I head out to reception to find Sally. “Ready to go?”
She looks up from her computer and grins. “Absolutely. I’m starving.”
“Hi.”
We both turn.
Grim walks into the reception area. He’s wearing dark jeans and his work T-shirt. It stretches across his broad chest. His long dark hair is pulled back in a half-knot that somehow makes him look even better.
He nods at me and then turns his attention to Sally.
“Hey, Grim.” Her smile widens. “Are you here for the next printout?”
“No runners, I take it?” He almost looks disappointed when Sally shakes her head.
“Nope, maybe later.”
He moves closer to the desk. As always, I’m aware of how big he is. How he seems to take up all the space in the room.
“I wanted to check the schedule for this week and make sure I have the right addresses for the home visits this afternoon.”
“Oh, sure.” Sally pulls up something on her computer. “Let me just…”
I should probably go back to my office. Give them space to talk. I don’t. I stand there, staring at him.
“Here we go.” Sally spins her monitor so Grim can see. “You’ve got four scheduled for later, three so far for tomorrow morning.”
They talk through the schedule, and I try to focus on something else. But I can’t help noticing the way Grim’s voice rumbles when he speaks. The way his shoulders shift under his shirt when he leans forward to look at the screen.
“Thanks, Sally.” Grim straightens, and for a second, I think he’s going to leave. But then he glances between us and clears his throat. “Are you heading out for lunch?”
“We were just about to,” Sally says.
“There’s a place not too far from here that makes great burgers,” Grim says. “They also do a mean cheesesteak hoagie… Oh, and wings. It’s called The Fire Pit. It only just opened. Have you tried it?”
“We were talking about it earlier,” Sally says, her voice animated.
