Page 2 of Fake Wife for Dr. Secret Daddy

“Hi, Dad.”

“Ted, I wanted to talk about tomorrow. You’ll pick your mother up at noon, yes?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Let’s go over my plans for when you land in New York?—”

“Dad, I can’t talk for long.”

“Why?”

“I’m with Winnie.”

There’s a pause. “Winnie?”

“Yeah,” Ted says, glancing over at me. “It’s her birthday.”

Another pause. I fidget. “Be careful. A girl that young can ruin your whole life?—”

“Dad!” Ted whisper-shouts, scandalized. “It’s not like that?—”

“It better not be.” Dr. Sam’s voice is clear as if Ted had him on speakerphone. I can feel my face heat up.

“Goodbye, Father!” Ted says, sounding strangled. He hangs up, and I try to hide my blush.

“Don’t say anything,” Ted says.

“I didn’t hear!” I squeak.

“Sure.” Ted scoffs.

I am so uncomfortable. “You’re going to New York?” I try to change the subject.

He looks at me with narrowed eyes. “So, you could hear.” I grimace. He sighs. “Yes. Our hospital there is at risk of losing its standing as the number one pediatric unit in the area. It’s unacceptable. So, I’m taking over.”

“That’s… good?”

Ted nods. I am out of ways to make this conversation work.

Thankfully, we’re pulling onto a small street, and I recognize a building near La Roma. I sit up, squinting out the window. It looks just like it did on the website!

Ted pulls up to a valet spot before jogging around the car. He opens the door for me, and I blush as I take his hand.

“I’m underdressed,” I mutter to him as we walk up.

“Nonsense,” he says. Then, louder, “Table for Gates.”

“Right this way!” The hostess says. She takes us through the building and to the back of the room. In an intimate little corner, there’s a table with a dozen red roses in the vase. “Happy Birthday, miss.”

The hostess leaves, and Ted pulls my chair for me. I sat, feeling shocked.

“This is…” I wave a hand, uncertain.

Ted smiles. “I’m glad.”

Dinner isn’t bad. But it is a bit uncomfortable. Ted orders for us both, which I would mind, except that he ordered something that cost $70 and that I love. He asks me about classes, and I ask about his work as a pediatrician, but mostly, there are just the sounds of our silverware against our plates.

When Ted drives me back, I watch him from the corner of my eye. He is 6’4 and looks God-like.

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