Page 26 of Faking It with the Off-Limits Doctor

Well done, Dara. Yep. Excellent.

“So, about my earlier proposal,” Alex says, “or should I say, proposals.”

I don’t need him to tell me that one of the reasons he wants to land this healthcare deal is so he can continue providing Mom and Dad with funding. I think that much is obvious. But it’s still a big deal. I mean, being an anonymous donor is one thing. Having to pretend that you’re engaged to a man you hardly know is another thing entirely.

“Can I think about it?” I offer weakly.

But Alex doesn’t look at all perturbed at my answer. In fact, he looks delighted. And then I wonder if me thinking about it is more than he could have hoped for.

“Of course,” he says eagerly. “Take your time. I only ask that once we’ve agreed to this you don’t mention it to anyone. You know better than me word spreads like wildfire in a small town like Riverdale.”

“Wildfire would be slow compared to the grapevine here.”

He nods in acknowledgement. “That only clarifies my point. What I’m proposing is harmless both to us and the healthcare company. But if word gets out…”

“I get it. It’ll destroy the deal.”

“But I haven’t told you the best part yet, and hopefully, it will help you in your decision. My proposition comes with benefits. You said last night that you wanted a place of your own. If you agree to help me, I’ll make certain you have the capital to get up and running.”

“What?”

My jaw drops to the floor at his words, and I am completely speechless. At least I wasn’t drinking this time.

Alex turns toward the door. “I’m going to go and give you some time to think about it.”

“Okay,” is all I can manage.

“And, Dara, even if you can’t commit to the fake relationship, I’d still really like you as a personal chef.”

“Okay,” I squeak again.

He flashes me a smile and then turns on his heels. A few seconds later, I hear the front door slam shut.

When I finally came round from my stupor, I rang Astrid. I know Alex said no one could know, but that was after we’d agreed, right? There was no way I could make this decision without my best friend’s advice.

Astrid had been as gobsmacked as me, and then she got very excited, telling me all the things I would be able to do with my own restaurant. While I was right there with her on that page, I couldn’t help the doubts that bounced around my head.

“But what will everyone think?” I said. “It’s going to be pretty weird, right? Me single one day, and suddenly engaged the next. Especially to the guy who just moved to town.”

“Okay,” Astrid reasoned, “but it’s not like you just met the guy. I mean, you’ve known each other for years, haven’t you?”

“Kind of”

“And at the end of the day, my darling, it’s not really anybody else’s business, is it?” Astrid said, with her usual, not-caring-what-anyone-thinks attitude.

“And then there’s Mark,” I countered.

“Who happens to be in Africa right now,” Astrid argued. “Besides, from what you’ve told me, this thing will be over by the time your brother returns. You’ll be free to tell him the truth. I’m sure, given how close they are, that Dr. Bennett will help you with that.”

Astrid had a point, but I was still unsure. In the end, and after a conversation that lasted nearly two hours, my closest friend convinced me that I’d be a fool not to grab this opportunity with both hands and that I would also be helping all those children in a roundabout way.

As I lie in bed now, hardly able to close my eyes, never mind sleep, I suppose she has a point. It still makes me feel uneasy. I am the woman who speaks my mind, the woman who tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. What Alex is asking me to do is lie.

But like he said, it’s not like it’s harming anybody, right?

Right.

I think.

---