Kieran.
1347 Words
After we entered the room I turned on my heels to shut the door behind us. The room was small so I had to brush past him as I reached for the door. I could feel an electricity surge from my shoulder through my stomach and to my toes. I closed the door quietly and made an effort to avoid contact as I walked to the other side of the examination table.
I don’t think he has taken his eyes off me once and the image of me tripping or say something stupid was playing on repeat in my head.
I turned on my most professional voice and the daily script started rolling out as usual, thank god.
“Mr. O’Conner, if you could get Kane onto the exam table that would be great, I can assist you if necessary.”
The dog had to be easily 180 to 200 pounds and there was no chance I could help but I always offer.
“Now ma’am, I don’t think you could help me even if you wanted to.”
He winked as he effortlessly picked his pup up like he weighed nothing, all while maintaining eye contact. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, this mask was saving me a lot of embarrassment.
“.. it’s the thought that counts right?” I chirp back shrugging my shoulders still locking eyes.
I wasn’t going to let him see me sweat, he was going to have to break eye contact first.
My plan didn’t have to last long thanks to doc happily knocking as she entered the room.
“Good morning Mr. O’Conner, welcome to my office. You’ve already met my assistant and I’m Marva Marino.” She jovially shakes his hands before putting full focus onto Kane.
“What brings you boys in today?”
I click my pen open to begin my notations and I feel his eyes shoot in my direction. I watch him scan me from the floor to meet my eye line as he began to answer the doctors question.
“Just moved to town, looking for a vet closer to home and you have the best rating in the community.”
Doc smirked a little while he stroked her ego and she examined his dog.
“I’m pleased to let you know you are definitely in good hands here, Kane is gorgeous and appears to be in excellent health.” She leaned over my shoulder and flipped through the top pages of my clipboard before returning her focus to Kane.
“It looks like you’re due for a few updated vaccines. If it’s alright with your dad, I’ll be back in a moment.”
She turned to meet Kieran’s eyes as he gave her a polite nod to continue. Then she directed her attention to me.
“Will you take Kane’s vitals while I draw up those vaccines?”
“Of course doctor.” I responded not looking up from my clipboard.
Dr. Marino left the room and I began my usual routine listening to Kane’s heart and taking his temperature.
After a few minutes went by, Kieran’s low raspy voice broke the silence.
“I think I missed your name ma’am.”
My throat felt dry again.
“Oh..” I scratched the top of Kane’s head before continuing.
“My name is Clover, Mr. O’Conner.”
The corners of his mouth turned up into a small smirk.
“Please call me Kieran.. so Clover? Is that a family name? It’s quite beautiful.”
I could feel my cheeks getting red again.
“No sir, just a very eccentric mother.. my sisters Poppy and Blossom would probably agree.”
He laughed and continued,
“So two sisters? Older or younger?”
“Both younger technically but Poppy is the baby. Me and Bo are 10 months apart so we were essentially raised as twins. Poppy came along when we were 7.”
I can’t help but smile when I talk about my sisters.
We lock eyes again and I start to get lost.
The small silence was broken by Dr. Marino re-entering the room. My attention snapped back to my clipboard. She took a brief moment before doing her usual vaccine routine as I quietly entered my chart notes into the computer.
Right as she finished our other assistant Kayla called her away to another patient and left me to finish the appointment on my own.
“Looks like Kane should be all set Mr. O’Conner, we recommend bi annual check ups for dogs his age, do you want me to book you 6 months from now? That’ll be about early November.”
I had no choice but to make eye contact, I didn’t want to look rude.
“Absolutely, put me down for any day you’ll be here.”
His eyes were burning into me and I could feel their warmth raising my core temperature. I could feel a lump in my throat and I was afraid nothing was going to come out when opened my mouth.
“I think I can make that happen, considering I am here every single day of the week.”
I turn to my computer and schedule him an appointment on my birthday November 17th. I was turning 25 and I figured I’d give myself a little eye candy for the day.
As soon as I finished writing out the appointment card he spoke again.
“So your here everyday, huh? Do you ever have any free time?”
His question felt genuine and I could hear a slight change in his tone. It was raspy and strong.. now it had softened and deepened.
“Umm.. Saturday’s I guess, that’s technically my day off. Right now we’re a little short staffed so I come in when I’m not busy..”
He stood from his chair and took a step closer placing his hand on the exam table so he could lean on it,
“What about this Saturday? Are you busy this Saturday?”
His eyes seemed darker the longer he looked at me. My brain took way to long to connect to my mouth.
“No, sir.”
He swallowed hard and straightened his back further confirming our size difference,
“Miss Clover, I’d love to take you on a date Saturday if you’d be interested.”
Holy s**t.
Am I dreaming?
Should I pinch myself?
“Uhh..” I stutter “..sure.. I mean yes.. I’ll probably be here in the afternoon so you can pick me up here at 7?”
I bite my lip to refrain myself from screaming.
“I’ll be counting down the days.”
I was for sure my heart was now permanently stuck in my throat so I tried to play it cool and walked him up to Madison who was quickly trying to swipe on some lip gloss. You could see the lust in her eyes the second we reached her desk, it kind of pissed me off.
“Mr. O’Conner! I’ll get you all taken care of, thanks Clo-Clo!”
It took every ounce of self control not to immediately roll my eyes.
I turn to take him in one more time,
“Have a great day Mr. O’Conner.” I extend my hand to him expecting a formal handshake, instead he took my hand into his and pulled me closer to him.
“Kieran.. and I’ll see you Saturday at 7 Clo-Clo.” He winked and smirked as he leaned over bringing the back of my hand to his amazingly soft full lips. I could feel my knees buckling and I had to remind myself to breathe. I looked over to Madison who couldn’t wipe the look of shock and disgust off her face. She immediately pulled up the mask she had dangling under her chin and turned herself back to her computer.
He left without another word and I was on cloud nine. This bad day had done a complete 180 and all I could do was fantasize about Saturday.
- Writer
