“I don’t think you admit that often, and I appreciate it,” Reid said. “How’s the pain?”
“Better,” Gabriel admitted, letting his head fall back onto the table. “You’re very good at this.”
“Thank you,” Reid said, blushing at the compliment. He knew he was good at his job, but it was still nice to hear.
Gabriel went quiet as Reid worked on the second leg, the occasional soft sound of discomfort escaping him. He’d recover, though. Once he learned his lesson about his body having limits, he’d be okay in no time.
“I’m gonna send you home with a magnesium supplement sample pack. You shouldn’t need them long-term, but they’re a good gentle muscle relaxant. Take one if you’re sore, and you’ll sleep like the dead.”
Gabriel sighed, wriggling his toes again. “Does that mean I can get dressed now?”
“Knock yourself out,” Reid said, stepping away to get the supplement pack as promised. He kept his eyes firmly on his desk, instead of on Gabriel as he pulled his clothes back on.
It was easy enough to be professional, but he didn’t need to make it harder on himself all the same.
Not that it was necessarily Gabriel’sbodyhe was attracted to, though once he recovered, Reid could see that he’d look great naked.
But what Reidwantedwas Gabriel’s mind, and his tiny, wry smiles, and the way he accepted Reid’s gentle teasing and gave as good as he got.
None of which mattered, because Gabriel was his patient. He just had to keep reminding himself of that.
“Do you need anything else?” Reid asked. He had other patients, but some small part of him didn’t want Gabriel to leave just yet.
He felt ridiculous for even entertaining that thought, but he couldn’t help it.
“I think I’m okay,” Gabriel said, shrugging his jacket back on and stuffing his hands in the pockets. “When do I come back?”
“I’d like to check in on you in two or three weeks, since aside from today you seem to be making progress. But if you have any questions or concerns before then, you’re always welcome here.”
“I’ll try not to break myself before then,” Gabriel said. “Thank you for everything.”
“No problem.” Reid smiled waving after him as he slipped out of the office and then closing Gabriel’s case file.
He’d be over his dumb crush in two or three weeks.
