Page 56 of Faking It with the Off-Limits Doctor

“She didn’t once mention that she loves you. And just now, you did exactly the same. Neither of you mentioned love. But now, I know why.”

I shake my head. “Can we go somewhere else to discuss this?” I throw a hand out to the onlookers who are still mingling around their cars, pretending to put their groceries away.

“We can do it here,” Mark barks. “You had a chance to come clean in private when you came to see me. You chose not to take that opportunity, so here will do just fine.”

“Mark, you’re acting like a madman.”

“No, Alex, I’m acting like an angry man. A man who’s discovered he’s been lied to by the people he’s supposed to be able to trust.”

I’m getting frustrated now because he’s obviously heard something from someone. I can’t understand it, nor can I even begin to imagine who. Dara and I were meticulous in our story. But Mark’s conviction that he knows the truth is just too strong for him to have guessed. He’s not bluffing, which means someone has told him something.

“Where have you discovered this ridiculous idea? Please tell me. I want to confront the person who’s clearly trying to stir up trouble.”

Mark smirks mirthlessly. “You think they’re lying?”

I nod.

“Then you’d be wrong,” Mark snaps back. “I know this woman, and I know for a fact what she said is the truth.”

“What woman? Who is it?”

Mark’s still seething with rage and suddenly blurts out, “Astrid told me. Dara’s best friend.”

If Mark had punched me in the face, I don’t think I would be as stunned, and for a second, with my mouth gaping open, I can’t find anything to say. It kind of makes sense, but then it doesn’t. Dara swore to me that she hadn’t told a soul about us. But if that were the case, why was Mark, my very likely ex-best friend, now in front of me convinced of our lie?

He’s now ranting on about how he knew he was right, and there’s something else about the years we’ve been friends, but my mind is working overtime to put two and two together. No matter how I look at it, no matter how I want to see it, there is only one conclusion.

Dara had lied.

How does it feel, big shot?

Not great. Which gives me a glimpse of what Mark is going through. But I can’t deal with Mark right now, and grabbing the bag of groceries from the roof, I unlock my car and climb inside.

“Hey,” Mark yells. “I’m still talking to you.”

I close the door and start the car. Without giving him a second glance, I reverse out of the parking space and fly out of the parking lot far faster than I ought. But my mind is racing, and I can’t think straight.

I should go and see Dara. I should confront her.

No. Not a good idea. You know the truth. Mark has just spewed it out to you and half the population of Riverdale.

I toy with the idea that she has a right to defend herself, and then I change my mind and head back to the house. It’s a short drive, which doesn’t give me much time to think, so when I get inside the house, I spend half an hour pacing back and forth.

I’m angry. Maybe I don’t have a right to be angry after all the people we’ve lied to, but I am. She knew what was at stake. She knew my reasons for this façade. The whole point of this was to help people.

Does that make it right?

Maybe not, but I trusted her, and I thought she trusted me. This wasn’t some white lie that one person could know with little consequence. Astrid knowing the truth could have blown the whole thing.

But it didn’t.

That’s not the point!

The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Perhaps my anger is worse after last night. I thought there was a chance for us, that I could let my guard down and begin to trust someone again. I thought Dara was that person. I wanted Dara to be that person with all my heart.

But if she’s going to lie to me about something as important as this, what else might she lie to me about? Do I really even know her?

While my conscience tries to reason with me, my anger fights back, and an hour later, I’ve made a decision. Throwing my case into the trunk, I get into the car and glance at my phone. I’ve a good mind just to leave without a word.

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