Page 24 of Passion

I nodded at my receptionist. “Thank you.”

I sanitized my hands and made my way to the next examination room to see it was a new client. I wanted to roll my eyes because I was just ready to go home. Normally, my new patients were booked for morning appointments. They took longer, and I didn’t like being bothered with full examinations too close to closing.

Someone would answer for this one if there wasn’t a logical excuse. When I walked in, the owner of the Yorkie named Sasha stared up at me. Her eyes had widened like she wasn’t expecting me to be the vet. “Good evening. I’m Doctor Fleming,” I said, extending my hand to hers.

She shook it and said, “Hi. I’m Shakira. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Is this just a new patient visit, or is there a specific issue that brings you in?” I asked as I petted Sasha.

She seemed friendly enough, so I picked her up, and she immediately licked my face. I smiled slightly. Most people thought it was disgusting to allow animals to lick your face. I was well aware of that, but it was disgusting to let human saliva touch you too. Now, I didn’t allow them to lick me in the mouth, because yes, that was just nasty.

“Wow. She doesn’t usually take to people so easily. Umm… We’re new to the area, and I wanted to get her established with a vet. I brought her records from her old veterinarian in New Orleans.”

“I thought I heard an accent. What brings you to Tallahassee?” I asked as I set Sasha on the examination table.

I could tell she was used to either going to the vet or being groomed, because she just sat there, stiff as a board. However, when I accidently knocked one of her bows from her head, she growled. I chuckled. “So I have a diva on my hands? I’m sorry, Miss Sasha. Let me put it back.”

Shakira giggled. “She loves her bows. I moved here after getting my master’s degree in graphic design. I got on with a company out here. I was looking to move for a change of scenery.”

I nodded as I did a routine exam on Sasha. Once I finished, I looked at her records to see she was up to date on all her shots. “Well, Miss Sasha, you seem to be the picture of health.”

She looked up at me and smiled while wagging her tail. I chuckled. “I swear she has to be human,” I said to Shakira.

She laughed. “I believe she thinks she is. Thank you for taking us in. The receptionist said you didn’t normally do new patients in the evenings, but you made an exception for us. So thank you.”

Oh! I was hotter than a spoon in a crack house. One thing I couldn’t stand was being lied on. My eyebrows lifted slightly, and Shakira noticed. “Uh oh. I didn’t mean to get anyone in trouble.”

“It’s okay. Do you have any questions for me?”

She glanced down at Sasha and smiled then said, “No, sir. Thanks again.”

“Thank you for choosing my clinic. Have a nice day,” I said as I petted Sasha.

When I got to the receptionist’s desk to give her my notes and future appointments, she smiled. After noticing my facial expression, her smile faded. Yeah, she knew she fucked up. “I’m sorry. She’s a friend of my cousin, so I took the appointment.”

“We’ll talk later.”

I refused to go over this with her while clients were in the office. She knew I was more professional than that. My phone vibrated as I walked to my office. When I saw the message from Elle, I smiled. Hey, baby. I hope you had a great day. I just got to Clayton’s house. Call me when you get off.

I responded immediately. Hey, baby. My day has gotten better just that quickly. I hope you had an amazing day as well. I’ll call you in an hour or so. Love you.

Love you too, Flem.

I smiled slightly. “That must be wifey.”

I looked up to see Paul heading back to an examination room. I smirked and joined him. “It was. It’s that obvious?”

“Hell yeah,” he said then laughed.

I grabbed Russell’s chart and looked it over to see he did indeed have a UTI. “Okay. I’ll get some antibiotics for him because he does have a UTI. I’ll give you some pain meds, too, for if he becomes irritable. He seems to be resting well now though.”

“Yeah, he has his moments.”

“Okay. Good thing you brought him in. It must be the beginning stages. I’ll also give you dietary modifications for him that will alter the acidity he consumes.”

“Thanks, man. I really appreciate how well you take care of Russell. You’re giving him long life.”

“I can only do so much though. You’re doing your part as well.” I shook his hand after making notes in Russell’s chart. “See you tonight.”