Page 46 of Faking It with the Off-Limits Doctor

I shake my head. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. You’ve lied to your friends and now your family because of me. I know the toll it’s taken on your soul. You’re a straight arrow, a woman with high moral principles. Someone who values honesty.”

She nods. “You’re right. On all counts. But life isn’t always as clear cut as that, and sometimes you need to break a few eggs to make an omelet.”

I gaze at her with utter admiration. “You know, I’m beginning to think that the man upstairs broke the mold when he made you.”

Dara’s cheeks flush, and she gives me a bashful smile. “And yet, I’m not the one putting my friendships on the line to help little children have a chance in life.”

I shrug. “I have the means to do it.”

Dara shakes her head. “Don’t be so modest. There are many people who make flippant donations to charity with little thought about it. You’re going above and beyond.”

“I’m doing what feels right.”

“Exactly.” She gives me a soft smile.

For a moment, our eyes lock, and I can feel the crackling of electricity dancing on the air. I’m not imagining it. I’m certain something is happening between us. Do I say something now? Do I address the elephant in the kitchen?

Before I get a chance, Dara breaks eye contact and says, “Well, I need to get on, or you’ll be getting your dinner at midnight.”

“About that. I’m leaving for the city shortly. When you’re done, just leave it in the fridge, and then you can head home.”

“Okay.”

When I walk out of the kitchen again, I halt outside the door, teetering on the indecision that’s driving me mad.

Leave it until after the dinner with Jack.

That’s probably a good idea. Dara will have enough on her plate, metaphorically as well as literally, without having to deal with me throwing our emotions into the mix.

18

Dara

Alex leaves for the city just after two p.m., and after finishing preparing his dinner and leaving it in the fridge, I leave his house about an hour later. But I don’t want to go home. My mind is a mass of emotions, between what the heck is going on between me and Alex and the nerves of the performance I have to give on Friday night.

I know he has every confidence in me, and his words were something along the lines of just do what you’ve been doing. But convincing the residents of Riverdale that we’re together is a far cry from performing for the CEO of a healthcare company, and there’s a lot more on the line.

I texted Astrid before I finished, asking if she was free for me to stop over, which is where I’m now heading.

“He’s certainly keeping you busy,” Astrid says when I follow her through her tiny cottage. “It feels like ages since I saw you last.”

“It’s been a week, Astrid,” I say, lifting my eyebrows at her exaggeration.

“Fine. But a week for us is still a long time. And I hear your brother’s home,” she says, looking at me intently.

I drop onto the sofa. “Alex and I went to see him last night, given that news travels at the speed of light round here.”

“It’s a small town, darling,” she replies, lowering herself far more gracefully onto the sofa across from me than I did.

“I know. And if I’d known Mark was coming home, I might have been able to do something about it.”

Astrid gives me a look. “Doubtful, honey.”

“I know. When he called Alex, we had no choice.”

She frowned. “He called Alex first and not you?”

I shrug. “He probably thought I’d be at the diner. He knows I don’t answer my phone when I’m working.

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