Page 51 of Faking It with the Off-Limits Doctor

Once I introduce Dara, Jack warmly introduces his colleagues—Gabby, his accounts manager, Aaron, the tightly wound legal eagle, and Kevin, his number one in running the business.

After greetings all around, Dara says, “Dinner is ready, if you’d all like to make your way to the dining table.”

“Oh yes,” Jack says. “I hear we’re in for a treat. Alex tells me you’re a chef, Dara.”

Dara flicks a glance in my direction, and with a smile, she nods. “I am. Let’s hope my creations live up to the obvious hype.”

She looks at me again, but I just shrug. “I couldn’t help myself.”

Shaking her head but still smiling, she disappears into the kitchen.

“That’s a fine woman you have there, Alex,” Jack says, settling himself down beside his other colleagues.

“Yes, she is,” I say, pouring wine into everyone’s glasses. “I’m very lucky.”

And I feel it. I mean, really feel it. What were the chances that me moving to Riverdale would have connected me with Dara? I’m not one to believe in fate, but I have to admit, it’s like the stars aligned and brought us together.

And, of course, everything after that could be seen as divine providence, right? How could we have gotten to know each other so deeply any other way? And I think I speak for both of us when I say it hasn’t been a bad connection. At least, I hope. But that’s something for me to consider after this meeting.

With the soup served, Dara sits next to me. I made that happen on purpose, and not just for Jack’s benefit. The group converses, and it’s not all shop. I discover things about the company, but I also learn personal things about Jack and his colleagues—their likes, dislikes, principles, and what they hold dear. It’s eye opening.

When the soup is finished, Dara jumps up to collect the plates.

“Let me help you,” I offer, standing up beside her.

I half expect her to protest, but she doesn’t have enough hands, and her mind is likely on the main course.

Once in the kitchen, I leave the plates by the sink and say,” Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No,” she says, her mind already on the next course as she scurries between the hob and the island.

“Are you okay?” I ask. It’s an encompassing question, but I don’t think she gets that.

“I’m fine. Honestly. Go back to your guests.”

I can’t be back at the table ten minutes, when the kitchen door is elbowed open and Dara comes through with the next course. Seeing her struggle, I jump up and hold the door.

“Thanks,” she breathes, continuing to the table.

“This is some fine cooking, Dara,” Jack says, as the six of us silently enjoy the delicious spicy chicken.

“Thank you,” she replies.

“Alex tells us you trained under a famous chef,” the older man continues, glancing across at her.

“Dino Cabrini,” Aaron adds knowingly.

Dara nods. “I did, yes.”

There’s something in her tone that irks me a little. Like she’s not as proud of that fact as she should be, and I wonder if it has something to do with why she left. Suddenly, I regret mentioning Dino. Dara’s never spoken about him, and she was more than reticent to tell me what happened. I should have remembered that.

“Are you a fan of Korean food, Jack?” I ask, jumping in to try and change the subject.

“Can’t say that I was, until I ate this.” He beams at Dara. “But I have to say, you’ve opened my mind to try a whole new style of food.”

When the individual and rather extravagantly decorated pavlovas are served, there are gasps of delight and wide eyes.

“My goodness, Dara, I might not be able to get up from this table by the time I’ve finished this,” Gabby says.

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