Page 11 of Between Us

So, not often.

As my body gets into the smooth movements, I start to let my mind drift off from them. Over the next week, I’m watching the Paulson’s boys, and I promised another older woman that I’d walk her dog while her husband was out of town. Mentally making a schedule for those tasks around my work schedule, I realize that I’ll be working this Tuesday. The same day that the newest hire starts.

Shaking my head under the water, I focus back on my movements and try to ignore the feeling in my gut that’s telling me this all means something.

And the single monarch butterfly I find waiting on my car’s hood only hammers in the point further.

Chapter Four

Adrian

AsIfinishupmy new employee paperwork, my peripheral vision catches on someone walking into the small office I’ve been set up in. An easy smile spreads across my face when I see Dr. Miller standing in the doorway.

“Hey, didn’t mean to disturb you,” he greets and walks to sit across from me at the small table.

Straightening to look him in the eye, I shrug easily, letting him know I don’t mind. “Hi, Dr. Miller. I’m almost done here.”

He sits across from me and folds his arms over his chest. It’s not in a closed off way, but more of a relaxed stance. “You don’t always have to call me Doctor. Tim will be fine, unless we’re in any professional setting, whether it be the client or the patient.”

I nod and set down my pen, wanting to give him my full attention. “Yes, sir.”

He just smirks and shakes his head at me. “Once you’re done, come find me up front and I’ll give you a tour of the facility.”

“Will do. Should be just a couple more minutes.”

He walks back out, leaving me to finish. When I turn the page, I realize I only have three more questions on the tax form. Quickly filling in my information, I stack the papers and tentatively walk back out to the front.

I’m usually a pretty confident guy, but there’s been this lingering nervousness all day. It was there when I woke up at six a.m., as I was driving to my courses, and stayed with me even through the short workout I was able to squeeze in during my break.

It’s not that I feel unqualified to be a vet assistant, but I know this is a huge professional opportunity. I’mlucky.

Assuming that everything Dr. Miller said is accurate—and I do have a trustworthy feeling about him—he workshardto create a different environment within his business than what may be the standard. And, based on how much he seems to enjoy the opportunity to mentor, I’d guess that’s part of the reason why he’s never taken his facility to the next level and opened a teaching program. He’d lose a lot of the control he currently holds over the finer details of the business. Like offering part-time employees benefits and the amount of time he’d have with patients and staff.

The way he talks about working here, and the close relationships he encourages, makes me think that Tim Miller is in this career for a lot of reasons that don’t involve money.

“All done?” his deep, warm voice asks from the front desk when he sees me standing nearby. He’s talking to who I assume is one of the receptionists. Nodding, I walk up and hand him the paperwork. Before I have a chance to introduce myself, Tim does the honors. “Adrian, this is one of the morning receptionists, Olivia.”

Sticking out my hand, I shake hers and state, “I’m Adrian. Nice to meet you.”

She offers me a warm smile that peeks through the long chestnut brown hair falling along her cheeks. Her voice is deep and rich. Pulling her hand back, she says, “You too.”

“Cool scrubs,” I nod toward her. TheAvatar: the Last Airbenderdesign is somewhat subtle—a pattern of the four elements—but it was one of my favorites growing up.

This time, the tug on her lips feels more genuine and pulls across her strong jaw, reaching her brown eyes. “Thank you. There’s this small online store that sells a lot of medical apparel for different fandoms.”

“If it’s the website I’m thinking of, my mom loves that one too.” I think I’ll take after my dad and his solid colors in this case, but the bright colors and patterns are an essential part of my mom’s work attire.

She smiles and turns to Dr. Miller, promising to finish the morning tasks before the evening receptionist, Blake, gets here in thirty minutes.

Not paying too much attention to their conversation, I look around the lobby and take in my new job. It’s a clinical area, much of what you’d expect from a medical waiting room. But there’s a bulletin board on one wall. From here I can see a variety of announcements, photos of animals, and other little tidbits about the community.

“Adrian?” Dr. Miller pulls me out of my thoughts. There’s a patient expression on his face when he tilts his head behind him. “How about a tour?”

Standing at my full height, I nod. “Yeah, sounds great. Olivia, I’ll see you around.”

“Nice to meet you,” she calls after us.

As we make our way to the back, behind the secured double doors, Dr. Miller briefly describes each of the different rooms and anything specific to remember about each one. Mostly things like which operation rooms can administer anesthesia and which can’t, or the kennels for patients who have an extended stay versus the ones here for a short period of time.

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