Page 40 of Faking It with the Off-Limits Doctor

“But what he didn’t tell you is more important. The thing is, Dara, I was supposed to stay away from you.”

“What?”

I nod. “It’s true. I had met you in the city and mentioned our meeting to Mark on a call. He had made it crystal clear that you were out of bounds.”

Dara’s expression jumps between surprise and offense. “He had no right to do that.”

“You know how protective he is of you. He’s just trying to look out for you. And he isn’t wrong. He wants you to be happy, not stuck with someone with a load of heavy emotional baggage.”

Even as I say those words, I don’t really mean them. At the time Mark had told me to stay away, it wouldn’t have occurred to me to do anything else. But a lot has changed in a few weeks.

“My life is still my own to lead,” she says defensively.

“Okay,” I say, gesturing for us to remain calm. “Let’s just concentrate on the problem at hand. He’s home, and we now have to decide what to do.”

“We have to tell him,” Dara says adamantly. “We have no choice. The whole town thinks we’re engaged, and like I said, it won’t be long before he hears it from someone.”

“Then we need to go and see him today,” I say, feeling a sense of loyalty to my friend. “I’d much prefer he hears it from us than anyone else. I owe him that much.”

Dara tilts her head and gives me a look. “Can’t we just tell him what we’re really doing? He is your best friend and my brother. If we can’t trust him, who can we trust?”

I shake my head. “It’s not about trusting him. I actually think he’ll be angrier if he thinks it’s not real. Like I’ve used you to get what I want.”

“But you haven’t used me.”

“He won’t see it like that. “No, it’s best he believes it’s real. If he’s angry at me, then I’ll just have to take it on the chin.”

“But that’s not fair. I agreed to do this. You didn’t put my arm up by back.”

I love that she’s defending me, but I’m not going to change my mind. We need to stick to the plan. Mark will hear what everyone else has been told, and nothing more. I know my best friend, and if he thinks for one second that I’ve used his sister, stomach bug or not, he’ll tear me limb from limb.

16

Dara

I’m back at my house after making Alex’s dinner, and I need to grab a quick bite before I see him again. He’s picking me up in an hour so we can go and see Mark together.

Mark texted me just after lunch.

Is it true? Are you and Alex an item?

Honestly, we don’t need newspapers in Riverdale. If it’s important enough, you’ll hear about it sooner or later. Sooner if it’s juicy and interesting, later if it’s not. Mark hasn’t been home for twenty-four hours, so at least I know where my relationship status stands on Riverdale’s “juicy and interesting” scale.

I’d replied with a quick confirmation, and after discussing with Alex what we were going to do, I sent Mark another text telling him we’d come over and see him.

Throwing a couple of eggs into a pan, I think about how tonight might go. I’d be less nervous if Alex and I were actually an item, even with my brother’s ominous warning to Alex about staying away from me.

But I have to lie to Mark’s face.

And I’m still a little peeved off about the warning. What right did he have to tell Alex that he wasn’t allowed to date me? Like I need protecting. Like I’m made out of glass and might break if mishandled in any way.

You know what he’s like where you’re concerned.

Yes, I do. I whisk my eggs, remembering the many times he’s jumped in to save me. When I was younger, it was cute. As I got older, not so much.

What happened with Dino only amped up his protectiveness. When I left, Mark wanted to go to the restaurant and wring the scrawny Italian’s neck. And he would have done it, too, if I hadn’t pleaded with him not to.

Plating my eggs, I grab a fork and try not to shovel my food in my mouth in frustration. But as I think about what I have to do in less than an hour, the frustration wanes and the anxiety kicks in.

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