What the hell was that? Either Rowan had a poor sense of personal space, or… No. The alternative wasn’t even worth considering. I was just looking for hope where there was none. I would have a reason not to feel so guilty about shamefully lusting after my boss if there was a glimmer of having those feelings reciprocated.
“Hey.” A voice pulled me from my thoughts. Becca smiled warmly at me from the other end of the narrow passage. She frowned. “Are you alright? You look a bit—”
“What? Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, I was in my own little world there.” I brushed it off casually, glancing down at the sheet in my hands.
“You won’t have much luck collecting a patient with that, Max,” Becca stated dryly.
In my haste to escape, I hadn’t picked up the patient list; instead, I had the consumables order sheet. I stared at it dumbly for a moment and shook my head.
“Yeah, fuck. One-hundred paper cups?” I grinned at her. Becca laughed and turned down the corridor, heading back towards the reception.
As I let myself back into the room, Rowan startled and adjusted his position on the stool, but not before I’d seen him with his head in his hands. I swallowed uncomfortably.
“I picked up the wrong sheet. Sorry.” I exchanged the pieces of paper before turning to slink back out. I wandered towards the waiting room, feeling dazed.
“Mia Watson, please?” I asked the room of patients. A thin woman, who was probably much older than she looked, stood and flicked her bleached extensions over her shoulder. Adjusting her t-shirt over the ridiculous balloon-like breasts she had perched upon her tiny frame; she followed me out into the corridor.
“Hi Mia, how are you today?” I asked politely.
“Just fine thank you, honey,” she answered, smiling widely. I caught sight of a blob of pink chewing gum between her teeth and turned away before she saw the look of disgust on my face. It was the height of bad manners not to remove your gum before a dental exam.
“Y’know, some people hate the dentist, but me? Iloveit.” Mia gave me a wink. The tone she’d used for her ‘love’ of dental examinations told me she wasn’t just here for a check-up, but also a checkoutof a certain gorgeous dentist. I smiled, fighting a scowl, and let her into the room.
“Hi Mia,” Rowan greeted her, his tone slightly subdued, suggesting he knew her intentions already. I wondered if she’d ever made her ‘love’for dental check-ups too clear for him in the past. “How’re you today?”
“I’m wonderful now I’m with you, doctor.” Mia slid into the chair and lay back, arching a little to push her chest out. Rowan smiled uncomfortably, pulling his mask up over his mouth. I quickly followed suit, before anyone saw my obvious distaste for the woman.
“Open,” Rowan asked, skipping his usual pleasantries. Mia gave him a seductive look before complying, acting as if Rowan was about to put something other than the small, mirrored device into her mouth. I heard Rowan’s audible sigh as he picked Mia’s gum up between his thumb and forefinger and dropped it into the bin.
“Oh! I’m so sorry,” she squealed, pretending to be embarrassed.
Rowan shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. Now, let’s see.” He adjusted his lamp and leant in to inspect the woman’s teeth. “You had them whitened, didn’t you? Even though I told you it wasn’t a good idea.”
“Yeah, don’t they look great?” Mia beamed. Rowan glanced at me, his eyes radiating a message as clear as day: ‘Let’s get this over with as soon as possible.’ I grinned behind my mask.
“The enamel has been worn down extensively, but then I did tell you that would happen. You’ll probably find that they’re much more sensitive to hot and cold now.” Rowan wasted no time in relaying the codes corresponding to Mia’s teeth and I typed them down, recording them in her digital patient file.
Thankfully, it wasn’t too long before Rowan was showing Mia the door. He practically had to push her to get her to leave, as she prattled on about her holiday to Mauritius. I had been feeling pretty great, but after dealing with Mia I was worn out.
“Thank fuck that’s over,” Rowan sighed, eventually returning to the room.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” I replied, shaking my head. “Is she always like that?”
“Unfortunately so, but you get used to it.” Rowan shrugged and smiled at me. “I’d like to say you won’t have to worry about seeing Ms Watson again any time soon, but she’s a regular in here.”
“Now why doesn’t that surprise me? I suppose you’re probably more than used to all that anyway, right?” I smirked.
“All what?” Rowan crossed the room, stepping on the pedal of the waste bin before dropping his used gloves inside.
“Y’know,” I hedged, suddenly feeling awkward. My face grew hot, and I turned away, pretending to adjust the monitor of the computer. “The female attention. I’ve only been here two days and I’ve already noticed a few of your patients giving you the eye.”
Rowan scoffed with a laugh. “Don’t be daft.”
“Seriously,” I replied. “You really haven’t noticed?” I turned to look over my shoulder at Rowan, noticing his cheekbones had turned a delicate pink colour with embarrassment.
“What on earth would they see in me? Drilling teeth is hardly sexy.” He cocked an eyebrow in disbelief.
“No, but you’re a good-looking guy and you’re in excellent shape, with a great profession…” I trailed off, clearing my throat. I turned away hurriedly, feeling flustered. “Women are really into all that.”
