17. Gabrielle
Gabrielle
The clinic is already pure chaos by the time my shift starts.
I’ve already had a golden retriever with a sock stuck in his stomach, a nervous cat who nearly clawed my arm off during an exam, and a husky who thinks the waiting room chairs are his personal jungle gym.
Just another day in the life of a vet.
I’m in the middle of typing up a treatment plan when Kinsley leans against the counter beside me, sipping her iced coffee like she’s not actively ignoring her own pile of work over there.
“You’ve been in a really good mood lately,” she says, studying me.
I don’t look up from my screen as I give her a pout face. “I’m always in a good mood.”
She snorts. “Please. Last week, you nearly took a guy’s head off because he dared to question your treatment plan.”
I huff, crossing my arms. “First of all, that man tried to tell me how to do my job after watching one episode of Vet 9-1-1. Second, I’m not in a really good mood. Just…normal good.”
Kinsley raises a brow. “Normal, huh? The extra pep in your step has nothing to do with a certain doctor, does it?”
I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me react. “Nope.”
She hums, unconvinced. “You sure? Because you’ve been checking your phone like you’re waiting for a text from someone, and the only other friend you have is standing right in front of you.”
I roll my eyes and then not-so-subtly flip my phone over so she can’t see the screen. “Go do your job, Kins.”
She grins. “Mmm. Denial is a new good on you.” Then she saunters off, leaving me alone with my definitely-not-waiting-for-a-text thoughts.
I exhale, pulling back out my phone when I know she’s out of sight.
Dr. Hot Chocolate: If a dog ate an entire pizza, how concerned should someone be?
Gabrielle: …how much pizza?
Dr. Hot Chocolate: Whole thing. Crust, cheese, pepperoni. Not a crumb left behind.
Gabrielle: That’s impressive. But tell “someone” to monitor him. He’ll probably just have an upset stomach, but if he starts acting weird, vet trip.
Dr. Hot Chocolate: Good to know. “Someone” will keep an eye on him.
Gabrielle: Are you the someone?
Dr. Hot Chocolate: Absolutely not. My dog has self-control.
Gabrielle: You don’t have a dog.
Dr. Hot Chocolate: Technicalities.
I shake my head, biting back a smile.
I’m about to text him something snarky back when a voice in front of me makes my stomach drop.
“Wow. Haven’t seen that look on your face in a while.”
I already know who it is before I look up.
Parker.
I internally roll my eyes and stick my tongue out like an immature child.
Great.
I school my expression into something neutral before glancing up at him. He’s leaning against the counter like he owns the place—because technically, he does.
Annoying, I know.
Dr. William Parker—head vet, owner of the clinic, my boss, and unfortunately, my ex.
I keep my voice even. “What do you need?”
He smirks. “That’s no way to greet a friend.”
I let out a humorless laugh and give him the fakest smile. “We’re not friends.”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Shame, I think we made pretty good ones at one point.”
I roll my eyes, looking back at my computer screen. “I’m busy.”
He doesn’t move. “Who were you texting?”
I freeze for half a second. Then, without looking up, I say, “Not that it’s any of your business, but a friend.”
Parker makes a low noise in the back of his throat, like he doesn’t quite believe me. “A friend, huh?”
I sigh, forcing myself to stay calm. “Yep.”
There’s a pause. Then, in that irritatingly smug voice, he says, “So, who is he?”
I finally look at him, eyes narrowed. “I don’t see how that’s relevant to my job.”
His smirk deepens, but his jaw is tight now. “Just curious.”
I don’t say anything.
His gaze flicks to my phone—that I placed face down back on my desk. “We had something good, you know.”
I grit my teeth. “William.”
He exhales, tilting his head like he’s trying to read me. “All I’m saying is…you don’t need to rush into something with some random guy just to prove a point, ya know.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “Prove a point? That’s rich coming from the man currently in a relationship with the girl he cheated on me with.”
His expression falters for a fraction of a second. Then the smugness is back. “Fine, but still doesn’t mean I like seeing anyone else catch your attention.”
I push off my chair, grabbing my folders. “Are we done here? Because I have actual work to do.”
Parker watches me for a second longer before stepping back, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Of course. Just be careful, Gab. Not everyone is as nice as me.”
My face falls, and I let out a dry laugh. “Nice? That’s what we’re calling being a disgusting douchebag?”
He smirks, winking as he backs away. “I’ll see you around, Gabrielle.”
I exhale as soon as he’s gone. My stomach still twisted with the sick feeling I always get around William.
I don’t owe him anything. I don’t owe him explanations. But the fact that he felt the need and right to pry at all?
Infuriating.
My phone buzzes.
Dr. Hot Chocolate: Are you ignoring me? Rude.
I huff out a small laugh, shaking my head as I type back.
Gabrielle: You’re so needy.
Dr. Hot Chocolate: For your attention.
My stomach flips, and Parker was right.
Someone has caught my attention. And I seem to be desperate for his too.