Page 44 of Faking It with the Off-Limits Doctor

By the time I retire to bed, I’ve decided to let things carry on the way they are. If I can get this deal sorted and out of the way, it will clear a path for me to approach this from an objective perspective. I’ve already put enough on her shoulders. I can’t add to that. It’s not fair.

The same thoughts invade my mind on my run the following morning, but I remain resolved to stick to what I’ve already decided. By the time Dara arrives, I’m showered, dressed, and already working.

I’m in my office when I hear the front door close. A part of me wants to leave my desk and hurry out to greet her, but I stay put for at least five minutes. After last night, I don’t want to look too pushy.

Impatiently watching the minutes on the clock, I eventually move through the house and head to the kitchen, carrying my coffee cup. I don’t really need another coffee, but it’s a good excuse to be in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” I say as I enter.

Dara’s already preparing my breakfast, and glancing up from slicing an avocado, she looks a little coy. “Morning,” she replies.

There’s an awkwardness about her, which I can only assume has to do with that kiss last night, but she still smiles, albeit a little shyly. It’s strange seeing her like this. She’s usually so assertive.

“You want coffee?” I ask, feeling like I have to say something.

She shakes her head. “I’m good. Thanks.”

I start the coffee machine and then turn and lean against the counter, watching her work. It’s certainly not the most unpleasant sight first thing in the morning.

“Have you heard anything more from Mark?” Dara asks, turning to work at the hob.

“No. You?”

She shakes her head.

“You’re worried.”

She shrugs, cracking eggs into the pan. “I just don’t know whether he bought it.”

I can hear the worry in her voice and even though my coffee is done, I leave it sitting there and move over to her. She glances up at me, looking a little surprised.

“I know last night was hard,” I say carefully, “and I’m really sorry I had to put you in that position. If there was any other way…”

“I know. And anyway, it’s all for a good cause, right? What we’re doing here is going to enable you to keep helping Mom and Dad.”

I nod.

“Then I’ll learn to live with myself. What worries me is what’s going to happen when this deal is done.”

“What do you mean?”

She turns to face me full on. Gazing up at me, she gives me a look that tells me I ought to know what she’s talking about.

“This engagement has to come to an end at some point, Alex. When it does, we’re going to have to tell everybody. Including Mark.”

That hits me hard.

“Right.”

“He’s going to hate you. You know that, right? Whatever story we come up with, Mark is going to be mad at you, and you’re going to lose your closest friend.”

A wave of realization washes over me. Clearly, I didn’t think this through as well as I thought I had. Or maybe I’d been riding a lot on the fact that Mark wasn’t going to be here, and I’d be back in the city before he even returned.

But things had changed. For me, at least.

Dara turns her attention back to the eggs in the pan, and I’m left standing there, considering how I’m going to get myself out of the mess I’ve made. Mark has been my best friend for more than ten years. Had I really created a scenario that would obliterate everything we’d been through?

“Your breakfast is ready,” Dara says.

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