Crushing at the Clinic

~Nikki~

I tossed and turned all night in anticipation. I feel like I did when I was in high school and had a crush on a guy. This is ridiculous because I’m a grown-ass woman, and I shouldn’t be crushing on my former Alpha, my daughter’s father-through-mate. I should be ashamed and disgusted at my actions, but I just can’t seem to get there.

I swear you are acting like a hussy!

Who, me? 

Yes, you! Why are you encouraging things?

Look here, human, I have nothing to do with your desires! You make your own choices; I just so happen to agree with this choice. Aluma is right; of course, I just want someone to blame. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I think I really like Paul.

I take extra care in getting dressed today. I want to make sure I look good. I put on a dark blue Wonder Woman scrub top and dark blue bottoms. I like having the fun scrub tops, and there were many times they appealed to my patients, making my day easier. I’ve let my hair grow out, so it’s now in a bob instead of a pixie cut. I think this looks suits me pretty well, so I may keep it this short for a while. 

The hair hack was because my former mate said I needed a new look. He wasn’t touching me and was barely looking at me. He said I looked stale and needed to do something different. I decided to cut my hair, and when I showed it to him, he acted like it was the worst move I could have made. Essentially, I could do nothing to make him happy or want me. Now, though, I know it was because he was entertaining someone else, his actual mate. 

I decide to skip the make-up; I don’t want it obvious that I’m dressing for him. Goddess, what the hell am I doing? This shouldn’t be my focus; if it is, it shouldn’t be this man. I sigh and make my way out of my room. Maybe I should just keep myself hidden; tell the nurses that if anyone asks, I’m not available. Perhaps this isn’t the best idea; Paul and I shouldn’t be a thing. 

I continue to the clinic and go to my office. I get some paperwork together and head to one of the exam rooms to make sure I have everything I need. The nurses are in charge of restocking items, and they are good about taking care of it each day. I like to go in and personalize some things. I also like to brush up on my skills. There isn’t always much to do when werewolves are involved, but I like to be ready just in case. You never know when you will encounter a human or someone who isn’t healing properly and needs your medical skills. 

I decide to practice some stitches. It’s been a while since I’ve put in some stitches, and I want to keep my skills up. I never want someone to need stitches, and I’m too rusty to provide them. I get a suture practice kit and some raw chicken from the fridge. I had the nurses put some chicken in here last night because I knew I wanted to try some sutures. 

I get started, and my mind keeps drifting to my current dilemma. I keep thinking about Paul and all of the what-ifs. My hands still, and I look into the distance before a smile breaks out on my face. “HAHAHAHAHAHHA! Goddess, Nikki, do you hear yourself? You act as if he has expressed any kind of interest in you at all. This is probably all in your head.”

“What’s all in your head?” A jolt goes through my body, and I drop the tools in my hand at his voice. Oh, shit, Paul is here!

~Paul~

I went to bed early last night, eager to wake up again. I was beyond excited to hang out with Nikki the next day, so I wanted to sleep as soon as possible. It’s amazing to me that I had never noticed her before. I shake my head and get out of the shower, trying to figure out what to wear.

I like her.

Who’s that?

Nikki…..I like her. I like her wolf, Aluma, too.

You’ve talked to her wolf?

The plane ride was long, and I had to entertain myself somehow. Should she be our chosen? 

Marcus, I think you are jumping the gun. I don’t even think she has any interest in me. I’m her former Alpha, and our kids are fated mates. Besides, can we really trust a chosen bond again? Look at what happened before. Marcus growls in my head, but I’m not wrong. We have to remember what we’ve been through. I think Nikki is a great woman, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t betray me. I used to think Kimberly was a good woman as well. 

I think we can trust her. She isn’t Kim. I sigh and put a block up. I don’t want to go too far down the rabbit hole. I don’t even think she likes me, and if that‘s true, there’s really nothing to discuss. I just know something is drawing me to her, and I want to find out what it is. 

I throw on a pair of blue jeans and a light blue V-neck sweater. I don’t really know what to wear to shadow someone in a clinic, but my genuine concern is to look good for her. I don’t know if she will notice or care, but I’d like to think my outfit choice will matter. 

I’m too nervous to eat, so I leave my place with nothing. I don’t know how I came up with this idea, and to be honest, it’s kind of juvenile, but it gets my foot in the door. I don’t want to come out and say anything because I don’t want to deal with the possibility that she says no. I know that is a part of life, but I don’t think I can handle it right now. I have a crush on the mother of my son’s mate. Goddess, what the hell am I doing?

I make it to the clinic but notice the lights are off. I know Nikki to be very punctual, so it’s weird that the lights are off. I check the door and see it’s unlocked. I make my way in, looking for any sign of life. I see a light glowing in the back and make my way out there. I see no one else is in, but I’d imagine that Nikki has been in for some time. I can hear a voice up ahead and decide to follow it. 

I come up to an exam room, and I peek inside. I notice that no one is in there. Nikki is alone, standing over a tray. She has some tools in her hand and is looking at something in front of her. “.....This is probably all in your head.”  I want to laugh, but I think the element of surprise will be better. I step into the doorway, leaning against the frame with my arms crossed. 

“What’s all in your head?” I hear a clatter and notice that Nikki has dropped what’s in her hand. She slowly turns her body around until she’s facing me. Her eyes are wide, and her mouth is open. I wish I could snap a picture of her like this because it’s hilariously cute. 

“Y….yyyyyou’re hhhhere.” I chuckle. She couldn’t have possibly thought I wouldn’t follow through with my visit. 

“Of course, I’m here. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”