November 12 2020
Gabriel tried to focus on the patient charts in front of him, but his brain wasn't cooperating. Every line blurred into the same looping thought: AJ's husband. AJ's *husband.*
Dave had gone into her office a few minutes ago with that brown paper bag and easy grin, and Gabriel had told himself to look away, to move on. But instead, he sat there in the corridor like a deer on a highway, pretending to read, pretending not to imagine what it must be like to be the one AJ Brewster smiled at when she wasn't wearing her armor.
The office door opened.
Gabriel quickly looked down, heart hammering.
Dave stepped out, adjusting his jacket. He paused, eyes scanning the hall, then landed on Gabriel. And for a moment—just a heartbeat—his warm, friendly expression shifted into something sharper.
Dave- Gabriel, right? Sorry she has so many interns I don't know how's she remembers name
Dave asked, walking toward him.
Gabriel straightened in his chair, nerves tangling.
Gabriel -Uh—yes. Sir.
Dave chuckled lightly.
Dave- No need for the 'sir.' I'm not one of your attendings.
He stopped in front of him, crossing his arms.
Dave- I've heard your name a few times. AJ says you're promising.
Gabriel blinked.
Gabriel - She... she did?
Dave's smile was polite, but there was a flicker in his eyes, something Gabriel couldn't quite read.
Gabriel - Yeah. She says you've got a sharp mind, but you let your emotions get in the way.
The words hit like a mirror reflection of what AJ had told him earlier.
Dave leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
Dave - And, look—I get it. She's... AJ. She walks into a room and the air changes. I know how people look at her. How *interns* look at her.
Gabriel's throat went dry. His pulse roared in his ears.
Dave gave a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Dave- Just... remember she's mine. And she's more than just the person you see at work. She doesn't need distractions—especially not from her interns.
Gabriel opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Dave- Good talk.
Dave patted his shoulder like a coach dismissing a rookie, then turned, heading for the elevator.
Gabriel sat frozen, shame crawling up his spine.
Camilla, of course, had seen everything from down the hall. She strolled up, eyebrows arched, grinning like she'd just walked in on a soap opera cliffhanger.
Camilla - Well
she whispered, dropping into the chair beside him.
Camilla-That was *spicy.*
Gabriel -Camilla—
Gabriel muttered, running a hand through his hair.
She smirked, eyes sparkling.
Camilla - the husband knows. I may have told him because he's a close friend of mine. And honestly? He doesn't look like the type who misses much. You better be careful, golden boy. This crush of yours just went from tragic to dangerous.
