“Okay,” Max said, hitting a few buttons and closing his laptop. “Sorry about that.”
Justin nodded, shooting Max a quick smile. Next, he held up a book with a colorful tissue paper-style caterpillar. “This was my favorite as a kid,” Justin said, leafing through it, a fond smile on his face.
“It’s a popular one. I take it to the kids every so often. Helps get their mind off things.”
“That’s really kind of you,” Justin said. Something in his voice made Max shiver, feeling more aware than ever of Justin’s presence in his office. Before Max could figure out what it was, Justin turned and placed the book back on the shelf. Max took a deep breath, telling himself it was nothing, and caught a hint of Justin’s clean scented cologne.
All conscious thought flew out the window.
“So, I had a couple of ideas about the drive,” Justin continued, bring Max back to reality. Justin pulled out his cell phone. He tapped the screen a couple times and placed the device on Max’s desk.
Leaning forward, Max looked at the list on the screen. Justin pointing to the first object, beginning to speak to it. Feeling his mind grow fuzzy at the close proximity, that damnable scent clouding his senses, Max leaned back and regarded Justin.
“Look at you. Still all business and driven energy,” Max said with a smile.
Justin stared at Max, features blank.
Taken a bit off guard by the lack of response, Max straightened. Nervous dread slickened the insides of his stomach.
“I hope I haven’t offended you,” Max said. “I always found your drive admirable.”
There was a beat where Max wasn’t sure how Justin was going to respond. Then Justin blinked, a small smile appearing, and Max felt like he could breathe again.
“No, not at all. You know how I can get hyper focused sometimes,” he said with a shrug. “Sorry to just jump right in like that. Did we need more small talk?”
Max burst out laughing, perhaps a bit too loud, but he blamed it on the relief coursing through him. Justin wasn’t upset.
Standing, Max nudged Justin’s phone back toward him.
“Come on,” Max said, slipping off his white coat and reaching for his leather jacket. “Let’s head down to the coffee shop, and you can tell me about your thoughts on the way.”
Max led the way down the street after they exited the hospital, though he was pretty sure Justin knew where they were headed. Max had taken him and a few other volunteers to this place a few times to thank them for all the hard work.
The day was unnaturally sunny for winter in Seattle, though still chilly. The trees lining the street were already bare and wrapped with white lights that would shine when the sunlight faded for the day. Max tugged his coat around him firmly, wondering if he should have insisted Justin grab something heavier than his white doctor’s coat.
Max turned to Justin to ask, only to find him lifting his face up to the sunlight. Justin’s eyes were closed, the blond lashes resting against his high cheekbones. Max watched as Justin’s lips curved slightly in contented bliss, as Justin took in a deep breath of fresh air. After a few too-short moments, Justin’s eyes blinked open and met Max’s.
Feeling the tell-tale heat of a blush steal up his cheeks, the curse of his fair complexion, Max turned toward the direction of the coffee shop, all thoughts of jackets disappearing.
It was far too warm for a jacket.
As they walked, Justin began to discuss his ideas, Max humming along and asking questions. Justin had a lot of great ideas, ideas that Max had been kicking around for the last couple of years but hadn’t been sure how to execute on his own.
“I like it,” Max said with a smile, holding the door to the café open, the potent, earthy scent of coffee filling his senses. “Let’s talk to Vicky about it as soon as possible. I don’t see why we can’t do it.”
Justin grinned, excitement making his eyes twinkle. It faded in the next moment, concern and worry replacing the look.
“Are you sure?” Justin asked. “I know I’m technically the new guy. You’ve been running the show for so long now…” Justin cut himself off as his eyes widened. “I mean, uh. Shit.” He squeezed his eyes tight with a wince.
Max laughed. “Are you calling me old, now?” he teased. And, despite the sharp pang in his chest, he loved the answering redness rising up Justin’s neck. “But really,” he added, reaching out to touch Justin’s arm in a light gesture of reassurance. “I’m glad you saw the opportunity and took the initiative.”
Impossibly, Justin grew redder as he swallowed and nodded. Max watched his Adam’s apple bob, wanting more than anything to be able to feel the movement against his lips.
Stepping back, Max gave both of them the space he needed and made his way up to the counter.
“What would you like?” he asked, turning to Justin. “My treat.”
Justin smiled and shook his head in resignation. Justin placed an order for an eggnog latte, then shot Max a look, daring him to comment.
Max adopted his best poker face before ordering himself the exact same drink. He added on a healthy stack of gift cards, telling the baristas that he would be here for a while so they could load them up as they had time in between orders.
Beverages procured, they made their way to a table next to the floor to ceiling windows. The sun streamed in, making Justin’s hair glint in the pale, winter light.
“So, tell me everything,” Max began, taking a sip of his latte, definitely on this side of too sweet. Max grinned, taking another sip. “Is OHSU as wonderful as I remember it being?”
Justin rolled his eyes, making Max chuckle. He took a sip, as though thinking about his answer as he looked out the window at the traffic and pedestrians. “I think you and I both know it was hell. Glorified hell.”
Max snorted. “But you survived.”
“Barely,” Justin said with a self-depreciating smile. “OHSU isn’t exactly a walk in the park.”
“Oh, I doubt you barely survived. Not if your mom is to be believed,” Max said. “Top of your class?”
Justin sighed, taking a quick sip of his latte. “I’m going to have a strongly worded conversation with her.”
“Don’t be too harsh,” Max said. “She’s just proud. But come on. Give me a highlight.”
Justin thought for a moment before a brilliant grin opened his face. Max’s breath caught at the sight. He tried to hide it by taking another swig of coffee.
“Well, there was this absolute dive where we would go for cheap drinks and the greasiest food. I think it used to be a truck stop a long time ago.”
“Oh, Tony’s?” Max asked, excited to hear about his old haunt. “It’s still there?”
Justin’s eyes glinted in mischief. “It’s still there. In all its terrifying glory.”
They swapped stories, Max regaling Justin with stories of his own time at OHSU. Justin opened up like a flower in springtime, laughing and sharing secrets.
“We hid in the back shed, underneath a tarp until the campus police left. I can’t believe it actually worked. I thought for sure all my hopes and dreams of becoming a doctor would evaporate that night,” Justin said with a shake of his head. “Needless to say, I became known as the nervous nelly after that near miss.”
Max shook a finger at Justin and frowned at him in mock disapproval. “Serves you right, Doctor.”
Justin laughed, then glanced at his watch. He blinked, eyes widening. “Oh, shit. I gotta get back.” Justin stood swiftly. Max followed suit, and they tossed their empty cups.
Max ran up to the counter, where the barista handed over a small paper bag filled with gift cards. Thanking her, Max turned back to Justin and headed back out into the chilly afternoon. Despite the early hour, the sun was already lowering in the sky.
“I’ll make sure to let Doctor Johnstone know I’m the one who made you late getting back,” Max said, looking over at Justin. He belonged in the sunlight. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Thank you,” Justin said. Then adde
d, “But I’m not.”
Max’s mouth went dry. Had he imagined it? Or was Justin insinuating something else?
Clearing his throat, Max looked away and picked up the pace back toward the hospital.
The sooner they returned to the hospital, the sooner Max could bury himself in work and shove Justin and everything about him back into the furthest corner of his mind. There was a time and a place to obsess over how wonderful Justin was, how beautiful, how thoughtful.
It wasn’t now.
They stepped through the wide doors, heading toward the bank of oversized elevators. Max punched the call button, and they waited in silence until an empty elevator opened.
“Three?” Max asked as they entered.
“Yes, thank you,” Justin said.
Max hit the numbers “three” and “five,” the Oncology department a couple of floors above where Justin worked in Gastroenterology.
The elevator moved swiftly, the smell of cleaning solution a comfortable, familiar scent to Max. It mixed well with the crisp scent of Justin’s cologne in the small space. He leaned against the back wall of the elevator, subtly scrutinizing Justin’s lithe frame. Max traced the line of Justin’s jaw with his eyes, imagining his fingers, his tongue tracing along it.
Drawing to a halt, the elevator doors parted, and Justin looked back to him. “Thanks for the coffee,” he said. “Let me know when Vicky wants to talk. I’ll make myself available.”
Max nodded, giving Justin a friendly smile and a wave, too tongue-tied to say a proper goodbye.
As the doors slid shut, the elevator carrying him away, Max let his head thud back against the wall as he winced.
He was a pathetic old man.
3
Justin
Classic, jazzy Christmas music played through the imbedded speakers in the ceiling as Justin made his rounds through the room. His parents’ house had been decorated to the nines like every year for the annual Coffey Christmas Celebration, a charity event held to benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital. Bright red and snow white poinsettias were artfully arranged around the house, mistletoe hovered, and a large Christmas tree towered in the corner, an artful display in red and gold.
Justin’s parents had started their annual party shortly after they had married. With Justin’s mom being a doctor and Justin’s dad a member of the board, it had only been a matter of time before they decided to hold an annual benefit for the hospital. All donations given at the party tonight would be handed over to Children’s the next business day. The party usually earned a sizable amount, and it only continued to grow every year.
As Justin toured the room, he took a moment to appreciate the outfits of the guests. It was clear they took pride in their appearance, and Justin made a point to compliment everyone. Justin wore the new suit he had been fitted for a few weeks ago, a gift from his parents for starting his residency. The breathable fabric clung to every inch of him, making Justin feel comfortable and cool throughout the evening. Dark gray, the suit complemented his skin tone well.
Even while Justin rubbed elbows with Seattle’s upper class, he kept a sharp eye out for one particular head of red hair. Max usually declined attending, much to Justin’s dismay, but that didn’t stop him from hoping.
Empty champagne glass in hand, he made his excuses after catching up with some old, dear neighbors and headed toward the formal dining room. The room had been converted from a standard place to eat to a glamourous gathering place filled with décor, food, and beverages. The table gleamed underneath the candlelight, a large centerpiece with red and gold trimmings surrounded by delicious food. The sideboard held most of the non-alcoholic beverages, while a bar had been set up in the parlor off the dining room.
Feeling thirsty and a little lightheaded from drinking too much champagne on an almost empty stomach, Justin made a beeline for the sideboard. He ladled himself a glass of his mother’s signature Christmas punch, thinking back to a time when he had thought he had been sneaky enough to spike it. It had been later as his mother lectured him that he discovered his mother already offered that at the bar.
Justin's mind drifted back to Max, wondering when he would show up. If he would show up. He usually begged off attending and made a sizable donation. It had been after Justin left for college that Max had started attending. Justin had kicked himself for weeks after he had found that out, thinking he could have made it home in time to see Max. But when he had made his plans to attend the party the following year, Max hadn’t come.
Justin couldn’t help but feel that Max was somehow avoiding him, but he never found any definitive proof. And it made him feel like a bit of a narcissist thinking of it that way. In reality, Max was probably tired of wearing a suit and schmoozing.
Still, he held out hope that Max would be here tonight. That their eyes would meet across the crowded room. That they would somehow end up beneath the mistletoe.
Justin shook his head, shoving the fantasy aside. Those never amounted to anything but disappointment.
Unbidden, Justin found himself remembering that day a week ago where Max had taken him out for coffee. The day had been beautiful and walking down the street with Max beside him had been a dream come true. In fact, he was pretty sure he caught Max staring at him with what looked like desire. Add to that the coffee Max bought for him, the casual touches, and the laughter, and it was no wonder Justin felt like it was more a date than a meeting. It took all of Justin’s will not to look too deeply into it, though. He had years of heartache with this senseless crush of his. He should know better by now.
The sharp and clear chime of glass cut through the sounds of conversations and music. Recognizing his cue, Justin slipped into the formal living room to join his parents up near the fireplace.
“Good evening, everyone,” Miranda Coffey began, a warm smile on her face. Spotting Justin, Miranda extended her hand out to him, her smile growing into a grin. “Ah. Perfect timing,” she continued. “May I introduce our family’s newest physician? Doctor Justin Coffey.”
“Mom,” Justin said, his neck growing hot as the group around them applauded, a few whistles decorating the air. He leaned in and kissed his mom’s cheek. “You’re insufferable,” he whispered. He then turned to shake his father’s hand. They turned their attention to Miranda as she continued to speak.
“I wanted to thank you all for coming tonight, and most importantly, for your donations. Seattle Children’s Hospital is not just a hospital. It’s a community. It’s a doctor running down the hallway to save a child’s life. It’s a nurse holding the hand of a struggling parent. It’s the volunteers who help us keep the lights on. Your contributions matter. Not only to the hospital, but to the children and their families.”
It was damn near the same speech every year, but Justin paid attention. His parents deserved the respect. A lot of planning went into this fund-raiser. It was the least he could do to listen.
“And now our Justin is a doctor, completing his residency program through Seattle Children’s, no less.” More applause. “And no, I had nothing to do with it,” Miranda said, raising her hands in innocence. The crowd laughed along.
Justin glanced at the crowd, hardly focusing on any one particular person. The room was large by normal standards, and the amount of people filled it near to capacity. He was about to turn his attention back to his mother, who was discussing what their funds had accomplished in the last year, when he spotted a very familiar shade of red.
Freezing, Justin zeroed in on the appearance. Max’s eyes, more hazel than green in the soft lighting, met his, and shivers raced up and down Justin’s spine.
Struggling to keep his cool, Justin sent Max a quick nod and focused back on his mother as she raised her glass for a toast. Justin followed suit, her words muffled by the pounding of his heart. He smiled and drank when required, but as soon as the crowd dispersed, Justin took off.
Unfortunately, several guests managed to corner him, asking him mundane questions about his schooling a
nd residency. Brushing them off would be rude, so Justin engaged them for the bare minimum amount of time before he made his excuses.
Justin made his way through the crowd, searching for the slightest hint of Max. Cursing himself, Justin couldn’t help but wonder if Max had taken one look at him and left. This was the first time both of them attended this party since knowing each other. Justin absolutely had to find Max. Talk to him. Maybe convince him to dance.
Or not.
Justin huffed, disappointment already creeping its ugly fingers around the edges of his heart.
“You’re a damn idiot,” he muttered beneath his breath.
“Looking for someone?” a familiar voice came from behind him.
Justin whirled around, a rush of delight filling him, an unruly grin spreading across his face.
“I just found him,” Justin said, letting a bit of the flirtation he normally kept well-hidden leak out. “Enjoying the party?”
Justin expected Max to say something. Anything. Maybe lift his champagne flute and smile. Instead, Max stared at Justin, as though trying to puzzle something out. It was unnerving, and Justin fought the urge to fidget.
“Something on my face?” he asked.
Max blinked, startled before a sheepish look crossed his face.
“No. No, sorry,” Max said, looking down to his glass. He lifted it, tilted it toward his lips, gulped down the rest of its contents. Justin watched Max’s throat work, and his mouth went dry.
“You look good tonight,” Max continued, bringing Justin back to himself. Was it him or was Max blushing? The lighting made it difficult to tell.
“Thank you,” Justin said, feeling confident in a way he hadn’t since he met Max. He gave Max his best slow and sweet smile. “New suit. Feels divine.”
He took a chance, leaning in close to Max. He could smell the clean scent of Max’s soap, the spicy warmth of his aftershave, and something inherently Max beneath it all. He inhaled, savoring it.
“And so do you,” he added, whispering the words into Max’s ear.
Mistletoe Mistake Page 2