Chapter Eight
“So, uh… can I get you to check when Gabriel Vaughn’s next appointment is?” Reid asked, hoping Carrie—the receptionist—wouldn’t ask him why he wanted to know.
“I think he had to push it back another few days. Hold on,” Carrie said, tapping away at her keyboard.
So far, so good.
Reid had checked his notes earlier, and it had been three weeks to the day since Gabriel’s last appointment. He seemed like a punctual kind of guy, so that felt a little weird.
He was just worried that something had happened to him. That was all.
He definitely didn’t miss him.
“Looks like he’s coming in Thursday, right after lunch. Do you need me to get in touch with him?”
Reid shook his head. “No, I was just… wondering,” he finished, knowing he was giving himself away.
Carrie’s immediate smile confirmed it. “Someone’s got a little crush on the cute astronaut,” she said.
Reid blushed all the way down his neck. “He says he’s not an astronaut.”
“But youdohave a crush on him.Andyou didn’t deny that he’s cute.” Carrie grinned. “I get it, he’s got that kinda… adorable nerd who’s probably into the weird stuff vibe.”
“I don’t think you’re supposed to talk about a patient like that,” Reid said, although he was aware that he was throwing stones in a glass house.
He hadn’t considered whether or not Gabriel was into anything weird. Hedidremember that conversation they’d had about sex, though.
And the obvious lack thereof that Gabriel was having.
Which, honestly, made two of them. Reid might have entertained a fleeting fantasy about helping him out, making sure he was comfortable and still managed to get off, even if he didn’t have a lot of energy.
It had just been a thought.
A thought he’d jerked off to and then felt guilty about after.
Gabriel was quickly becoming aproblem, but he wasn’t a problem Reid wanted to get rid of just yet. Especially since he was still in recovery.
“Says the guy with a huge crush on one of his own patients,” Carried pointed out.
Reid couldn’t argue with that. He couldn’t take the moral high ground, here.
“I guess it’s fine if I never act on it?” Reid tried. “I mean, I can’t help being attracted to people. That’s kinda built in.”
“Hey, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it.” Carrie shrugged, wheeling her chair away from her desk and standing. Reid was keeping her back, and he didn’t want to do that.
“I know it’s unprofessional,” Reid said.
“It’s not unprofessional to have feelings,” Carrie said. “It’s normal, and it’s what makes you good at your job. Quit beating yourself up about it.”
Reid laughed at that, looking down at his feet for a moment. “I knew there was a reason I hired you.”
“I’m an enabler,” Carrie agreed. “For the record, I don’t think you should do anything while he’s still a patient. But… he won’talwaysbe a patient.”
“Youarean enabler.” Reid smiled. “I’ll get over it. It’s dumb, and he’s straight anyway.”
“So’s spaghetti.”
Reid raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to boil my patients.”
