Page 57 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“It might look like I have work to do.”

“Which you don’t.”

I tap my pen against the desk, glaring at Stefani over my glasses. “Theydon’t know that.”

Stefani shoots me a knowing look. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Dr. Nicole Hedges and her obvious infatuation with the man of the hour? I overheard her say she wants to carry his babies.”

“That bitch,” I mutter under my breath. I’m loath to admit how much I detest anyone looking at my man. Former man. I hate my life. “He’s probably eating up all the attention.”

“Owen isn’t interested in Dr. Hedges, and you know it.”

“I don’t know a damn thing anymore. Wait, that’s not true. I know he and Nicole had dinner and drinks together after he said he wouldn’t. I also know he claimed he wasn’t a doctor when he was. So, I know he’s a liar.”

“Have you asked Owen if anything is going on between them?”

I shake my head at Stefani’s idea. “Are you insane? It’s not my business.”

“Only because you won’t let him anywhere near you. Yes, he lied about being a top-notch cardiologist, but he did it because he didn’t want you walking away. He’s an amazing man, Lu.”

“Go for him. He’s newly single. Actually, I don’t know that. He and Nicole are likely screwing at this point. It has been almost a week.”

Stefani leans across the desk, grasping my forearms. “Stop that. You didn’t hear how Owen spoke about you that first night. You don’t see how looks at you.”

“Looked at me,” I correct.

“No, looks at you. Trust me, I’ve seen it numerous times. On the car ride home, he kept asking questions, wanting to know everything about you. He was so nervous about coming on too strong or scaring you away. It was the most real I’ve ever seen a man behave. And it was all for you. Doesn’t that mean anything?”

I collapse my head into my hands. Her words are cutting serious chinks into my armor. “I believed him. Every word, I believed. When Owen told me he loved me and wanted a life with me, I knew it was the truth. I saw it in his eyes.” I toss my pen down, groaning at the ceiling. “Deep down, I knew he was a doctor. There were too many coincidences, and honestly, if he’d come clean when I asked him, I would have accepted it. I gave that man every chance to tell the truth, but he still lied.”

“Look at the reason why Owen lied. It’s actually adorable.”

“He’s an adorable liar. Now I’ve heard everything.”

“He lied because he’s in love. I think that’s pretty damn adorable. Come on, everyone is waiting for you. I know you want to see Owen, even if you won’t admit it.”

“That’s just it, Stefani. I don’t want to see him because it’s too painful right now. It’s too raw.” I shoot her a smile. It’s fake, but this once, I hope it will suffice. “Go have double the amount of fun for me.”

“Buzzkill,” she whispers, dropping a kiss on my head before heading out the door.

I sit at my desk for another fifteen minutes, waging an internal war with my psyche. I’m desperate to see Owen. But what if Nicole is there? There’s no way I can sit through a dinner of them canoodling, but I also can’t storm out if they’re dining together.

That would make me feel more foolish than I already do, and trust me, I have straight A’s in that department.

My phone buzzes. It’s Dr. Jessop, my resident drinking buddy. ‘Lu, get your ass over here right now. I’m not above coming to fetch you. Come on, kid, drinks are on me.’

I huff out a groan, earning a quizzical look from one of the night nurses.

Trust me, sweetheart, I don’t get me either.

I can ignore Dr. Jessop, but he’s not lying. He will drive all the way to my house and drag me, kicking and screaming, to whatever pub they’re frequenting. I don’t stand a chance when I’m right across the street from the group.

With a sigh, I head for the locker room to change into my street clothes—a fitted t-shirt, jeans, and chucks. Aren’t I the picture of glamour? A fedora and my tortoiseshell glasses finish the look. While I won’t be winning any beauty pageants, I’m at least rocking my element.

Hey, I’ll take what I can get.

I cross the streetas the dread and anticipation battle for control of my brain. But, as I pull open the door to the bar, the anxiety wins out. I don’t know if I can do this.

My false bravado works with everyonebutOwen. He can, and will, see right through any mask.

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