Chapter 12
Jordan
Jordan walked into his office, expecting to find it empty. However, as he stepped inside, his eyes widened in surprise at Alex standing there, casually examining the various items in the room. A playful smile tugged at the corners of Jordan's lips as he quipped, "I didn't know my next patient was Snoopy."
Alex chuckled, a twinkle in his eye as he turned to face Jordan. He pointed to the cinnamon roll on the desk and handed Jordan the cup of coffee. "I lost the bet from our run, so I’m paying my debt."
Jordan's gaze remained locked on Alex's lips, not for reading this time but for thinking about the sweet taste of their recent kiss. He felt his heart flutter at the sight of the man before him. With a warm grin, he accepted the coffee. He looked at his desk and said, "Yum, a cinnamon roll. Okay, I forgive you for cheating now.” He paused, looking at the cup Alex had handed him. “Why does my cup of coffee have a phone number with ‘Call me, Daddy!’ written on it?”
Alex laughed and shrugged. “The young girl at the coffee place was flirting. I occasionally get comments like that on my drinks, so I stopped looking because they can get graphic.”
Alex seemed worn down, unlike when they had been at the beach for the run. Like there was a weight on his shoulders that Jordan couldn’t see.
“I like your scrubs,” Alex said sadly, referencing the German Shepherd puppies.
Jordan smiled and looked at Alex. “Are you doing okay? Did the run wear you out? Was I too fast for you? I can slow down the next time if you like. ”
“Funny, real funny. At least you’re a better kisser than a comedian,” Alex replied. Jordan blushed and was speechless for a moment, looking at the floor.
Alex walked over, trespassing into the young vet’s personal space. Jordan looked directly into his face, feeling flushed. Alex moved his face closer.
“The next time we race, I get to pick what the winner gets,” Alex whispered. Jordan was quiet, and his cheeks went dark red.
Alex backed up. “I’m off to see Shadow now—catch ya later, Speedy.” Then, he strutted out of the office, knowing full well that he just made a lasting impression on the young doctor.
Jordan sat down in his chair, not because he wanted to, but because he had to. He needed to think of something different right now to make his growing erection go away before his next appointment.
He laughed out loud. The kind of laugh he had not heard himself do in a very long time. He felt like a teenager, not being able to control himself.
He then looked greedily at the cinnamon roll. When he picked it up to bite into it, he noticed written on the napkin, “Why did God make farts smell? So deaf people could enjoy them, too.”
Jordan chuckled to himself, finding the joke both funny and endearing. It was a simple gesture, yet it meant a lot to him. With a warm feeling, Jordan folded the napkin and tucked it into his pocket, a memory he would cherish.
Throughout the rest of the day, Jordan saw several patients at the clinic, tending to their various medical needs. While busy with appointments, he noticed Alex's dedication and compassion as he moved from one patient to another, assisting the staff when needed.
Alex displayed remarkable care and empathy toward Shadow and the other animal patients in the clinic. He handled each furry friend with gentle hands and a soothing voice, ensuring their comfort and well-being. Whether it was a nervous cat, an excited puppy, or an ailing senior dog, Alex seemed to have an innate ability to connect with them, putting them at ease. Jordan was impressed with Alex's ability to multitask, seamlessly transitioning from one patient's needs to the next without missing a beat .
As the day at the clinic came to a close, the entire staff had taken notice of Alex's presence and the positive impact he had made. During one of these late afternoon moments, Emily stepped into Jordan's office with a gleam of curiosity in her eyes.
"Hey, Jordan," she began, flashing a knowing smile. "Have you heard the buzz around here today?"
Jordan raised an eyebrow, not quite sure what she was getting at. "Buzz? What are you talking about?"
Emily leaned in slightly, her voice lowered conspiratorially. "Well, our new volunteer has been quite the topic of conversation among the staff."
Jordan chuckled. "Oh really? And what have you heard?"
Emily's eyes sparkled. "Oh, you know, the usual. People think he's handsome and charming. They love his pastries. Apparently, they taste better than my homemade apple muffins because no one ate any of them today. But that's not all." She leaned in even closer as if revealing a juicy secret. "Whenever you walk by, there are lingering looks in your direction that some would say ‘distract’ him."
Jordan blushed at the gossip. He cleared his throat. "Well, I'm glad to hear that he's fitting in well here."
Emily nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, he's more than just fitting in. I think he's won over more than a few hearts today." She poked Jordan on the left side of his chest, smiling.
"Emily, you're incorrigible and acting like a teenager," he said, grinning.
"Oh, come on, Jordan! You're allowed to have a crush like the rest of us. Who could resist those muscles, that perky perfect booty, those eyes, and that smile?"
Jordan chuckled. He looked around, ensuring no one was listening. “Look, something did happen between us. If I tell you, though, you have to keep it a secret.”
Emily nodded. Jordan leaned in closely and whispered, “Stop gossiping and go home to your husband and daughter.”
Emily gave a theatrical sigh. "You're no fun, Jordan! But I understand—you’re keeping all the juicy stuff to yourself." She winked at him before returning to her duties, leaving Jordan to ponder the amusing conversation .
Jordan sat at his desk, typing away at the computer while reviewing patient records. As he worked, he saw Alex gesturing at him at the door, and he entered the room.
Alex walked further into the office, and must have noticed that Jordan didn’t have his hearing aids in. He walked to the front of Jordan's desk, directly in Jordan's line of sight.
"Hey, Jordan," Alex greeted with a smile, his eyes bright.
Jordan returned the smile, reaching for his hearing aids out of instinct. He saw Alex make a hand motion to stop. He dropped his hands. "Hey, Alex. How's our star volunteer doing today?"
"Great. Shadow seems to be recovering peacefully. He's drinking on his own, and he ate a little food, and Rebecca and Emily have been giving me a crash course on monitoring his condition."
Jordan nodded, pleased with the update. "That's excellent news, Alex. I'm glad to hear he’s responding to our care.”
Alex's smile widened, and he took a step closer. "I wanted to thank you for allowing me to be a part of his care team and letting me help out with the other animals. It’s been a great day. I haven’t had a lot of those lately."
"You've been a tremendous help in many areas today. The staff are enamored with you, and I'm thrilled you’re here."
As they continued to talk about Shadow's progress and the clinic's activities, Jordan noticed that Alex always stood directly in front of him, speaking slowly and clearly so that Jordan could read his lips, ensuring that he understood everything that he was saying. Alex made listening effortless. Usually, when people moved around, talked fast, or mumbled, Jordan only picked up pieces of conversations and had to fill in the blanks. With Alex, he never had to fill in the blanks. He was always able to listen, and Alex made an effort to include him in the conversation.
Jordan's heart raced as he gathered his courage and stammered, "Uh, Alex, I was wondering... if you'd like to... you know, have dinner together tonight?"
"Jordan," Alex said, chuckling softly. "I'd love to have dinner with you. I was just about to ask you the same thing."
Jordan's eyes widened in surprise, and relief washed over him. "Really?" he asked, his smile returning, more genuine this time .
Alex nodded, feeling more confident. "Absolutely," he said. "So, what do you feel like eating tonight?"