I file the last patient’s paperwork up front and head back to work.
TWO
Pearl
I usedto love my job, but now I’m not so sure.
Things were easy when Dr.Harris was here, but since he retired and Wells Bennett took over, it’s been… complicated.
I’m pretty sure I’m the one making it complicated—me and my stupid crush on the grumpy, stoic man.
I’ve developed a growing infatuation with the man since he first came to town, and that infatuation has only intensified with each passing day.I tell myself to ignore it, get over it.I’m sure Dr.Bennett doesn’t have the same feelings for me—or anyone, really.
He’s quiet, brooding, and annoyingly handsome.I’ve seen women throw themselves at him.I’m pretty sure some girls in town have adopted pets as an excuse to see Dr.Bennett, but he doesn’t seem to notice their flirting.If he does, he never reciprocates, at least not that I’ve seen.
I haven’t heard of him dating anyone in town, either.He’s still big news since he’s the latest addition to town, and he has such a mysterious vibe.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my scrubs, smiling when I see Coco’s name on the screen.
Coco:Have you made a move on your sexy boss yet?
Pearl: No!
Coco: Boo!You should!That man wants you!
I shakemy head and tuck my phone back into my pocket.
I don’t know why Coco thinks Wells is into me, but she’s been convinced of it since he moved to town.I mean, the man barely talks and always glowers at everyone.
At the same time, though, he seeks me out.He only stays late when I’m scheduled for the night shift.Whenever he sees me in town, he always makes a point to come over and say hi.I’ve never seen him do that with anyone else, but I’ve convinced myself he’s just being polite because he’s my boss.Coco hates that theory.
I live for the nights when it’s just the two of us.I’ve been buzzing all day knowing that tonight it will be just him and me at the clinic.
My phone buzzes again, and I glance at it just as Dr.Bennett enters the exam room.I blush when I see what Coco wrote and quickly shove it back into my pocket.
Wells clears his throat.I look up at him, my face flaming as I picture the two of us acting out what Coco suggested in her text.I swear Wells can read minds, so I look away and focus on the kitten he’s examining.
“Something important?”he asks, a warning edge to his tone.
I shake my head.“Sorry, I won’t be on my phone again.”
He frowns.“Who was texting you?”
“No one,” I lie.
His frown deepens.“Why were you blushing?”
“Uh, just… daydreaming.”
“About what?”
“Um…” I trail off, my face hot as I remember Coco’s message.
He arches an eyebrow.“Pearl.”
I pass him the chart, praying he lets this go.“This is Mittens.She’s here for her shots.”
Wells looks like he wants to argue with me, but when Mittens’ owner enters the room, he returns his attention to Mittens and gets to work.