“Good,” Miguel said as he wrinkled his nose. “I hate cleaning.”
Kendra laughed again. “You and me both.”
Miguel followed her back up front. He liked her bubbly personality. She sat him down at a computer behind the reception and check out desk.
“We’ll get you working on learning our system first.”
Miguel shook the mouse to wake the computer while Kendra pulled a rolling chair over to sit next to him.
“We have hard copies of patient records but we also have electronic files as well.”
Miguel got his notebook out to take notes as Kendra walked him through both the patient and scheduling systems. It was dry information, but Kendra’s side chatter kept him engaged. They put the computer training on hold when Dr. Nguyen arrived and the first patients started coming in.
Miguel shadowed Kendra as she worked with Dr. Nguyen on his first patient until Dr. Coker arrived. Miguel took in his new boss as he went over to meet him. He was average height and slim, with stylish gold-framed glasses.
“Hello, Dr. Coker. I’m Miguel, your dental assistant.” He held his hand out, and Dr. Coker shook it with a smile.
“Nice to meet you, Miguel. Ready to get to work?”
Miguel grinned. Dr. Nguyen had been right about Dr. Coker wanting to hit the ground running. That was fine by him. He was beyond eager to get started. Miguel nodded and followed his new boss to the back.
Two weeks later, Miguel felt right at home at Frostview Dental. Dr. Coker had a great rapport with his new patients. He was also easy to assist. The two of them had already established a smooth working relationship. Dr. Coker worked fast, and Miguel kept up with quick efficiency.
Everyone there was nice, and he’d vibed especially well with Kendra. So when she invited him out for drinks on Friday to celebrate his first paycheck, he agreed to go. Setting aside enough to get an apartment and the basics he would need to live on his own was his top priority. But he figured he could spare enough for one night of celebration.
At the end of the day, the two of them made their plans for the night. Kendra would come by Hector’s apartment to pick him up, and they’d head out and hit a new club she wanted to try. They exchanged numbers then Miguel caught the bus home.
After his short bus ride, Miguel walked into an empty apartment. That wasn’t unusual. He often made it home before Hector. He tossed his scrubs in the small hamper he’d purchased for himself and took a quick shower.
Thirty minutes later, Miguel came out of the bathroom, dressed and ready to go. He wore a pair of pale blue, mid-thigh length denim shorts that were a little tighter than they needed to be, and a bright yellow V-neck tee made of a thin, almost see-through cotton that clung to his torso. A yellow and sky-blue snap back perched just right on his head so his longish curls could still be seen. His high-top tennis shoes were white, yellow, and blue to match his outfit. He liked the happy colors. They matched his mood. It felt good to be going out to have fun after two weeks of hard but enjoyable work.
“Going out tonight?”
Miguel turned to see Hector leaning against the kitchen archway, holding a glass of water. He must have come home while Miguel was in the bathroom getting ready. “Yep, Kendra from work is coming to get me and we’re going clubbing.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Do you want to come?” He didn’t really think Hector wanted to come dancing with them, but his offer was sincere.
“No. You go out and get to know your friends. You’ve earned a break.”
“That’s for sure.” Miguel walked over to the coffee table to grab his keys and wallet. When he turned back, he saw the other man was still standing there watching him. Miguel paused. He had that feeling. That feeling of awareness that came when someone was checking him out. Miguel’s heart started pounding as he met Hector’s gaze. “Is something wrong?” Miguel bit his lip. He hadn’t meant for his voice to come out so breathy and soft. He hoped Hector didn’t think he was trying to come on to him.
Hector shook his head. “No.” He took a sip of his drink. “Nice outfit,” he said quietly. “You look like sunshine.”
Miguel’s heart pounded harder. He’d have to be blind not to notice the warm attraction in Hector’s gaze. Miguel flushed hot all over. He remembered the way Hector had watched him in the dark, lit only by the flickering light of the TV. Miguel abruptly looked down, away from those deep brown eyes.
The last time Hector had looked at him like that he’d made a huge mistake that had almost cost him his friend. Hector had made himself clear. They were strictly platonic friends with no touching allowed. So regardless of whatever Hector was thinking right then, Miguel wasn’t going there. No, sir. No way. He forced calm casualness into his voice as he glanced back at Hector and accepted the compliment. “Thank you.”
Hector dipped his chin, his gaze still intense. “You’re welcome.”
Miguel stood there, confused, trapped by that gaze. Why was Hector looking at him like that? Did he want things to change between them? Or was he just hoping for a shot at another unreciprocated blow job? The thought of Hector using him that way hurt Miguel’s heart, so he pushed the thought out of his mind. Hector would never be so cruel.
But that left him without an answer to his question. A question he didn’t want to ask. How dumb would he feel if he brought it up and Hector said he was imagining things? The part of him that had been crushing on Hector for years whispered another question. What if he really wants to be with you? Miguel ignored that voice, knowing it was nothing but wishful thinking.
He started to pick up the ragged thread of their meager conversation when Hector walked forward into the living room, coming toward him. Feeling oddly panicked, Miguel took a step back, bumping into the coffee table behind him. Flustered, he looked down at the piece of furniture and tried to joke away his clumsiness.
“Ooops. Who put that there?” he said with a nervous laugh.