Page 78 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

Dani raises her hand, cutting me off. “Miles, you’re fine. I know this is work for you. And I’m here to help, just like before.”

Something in her eyes comes through as a warning, and I turn toward my plate.

The vibration of my phone causes me to pull it out of my suit coat and I glance down to see a text from Spencer.

Spencer: Your mom talked to her in the hallway.

My stomach turns to lead and I glance up, finding Spencer to see it confirmed on his face. He’s sitting at the next table over, giving me a small smile.

I turn toward Dani, noting all the bodily clues that I usually feel after an altercation with my mother.

“Dani,” I say, reaching over and taking her hand in mine. She turns to me, surprised.

“Are you all right, Miles?” She turns to check, glancing up and down as if she’ll see some outside wound.

“I’m fine. Are you? Did my mom come talk to you?” I hold my breath, not sure what answer I want her to give.

She nods, glancing down at her plate. “Yeah, she told me to stay away from you.” When she looks up again, her smile looks drawn on.

“What did you say?” I ask, wishing I could go back and avoid leaving her for even a minute.

Dani opens her mouth to speak, but glances behind me. “It seems like our exes have impeccable timing.”

I frown, unsure what she means by that. But it’s the voice that pulls the anger throughout my body.

“Looks like this is where I’m supposed to be tonight.” Tanya.

Without letting go of Dani’s hand, I turn enough to nod at Tanya and then look back at my fiancé. “Just know, Dani, that no matter what she told you, know that I don’t share her opinions.”

Dani’s smile is somewhat bigger this time and she squeezes my hand. She picks up her fork and starts eating. For some reason, it makes me think of the first time we met all those weeks ago.

“A girl’s got to eat, right?” she says and I laugh.

I face forward and start eating some of the food on my plate.

“It sounds like your new girlfriend is causing you to be in the headlines a lot more than before, Miles.” Tanya’s prim smile as she unfolds her napkin makes me grind my teeth together. “Maybe I should’ve done that sooner and we’d still be together.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think that’s something I want to give thought to. You ended things and I’ve never been more grateful than I have these past few weeks. Why are you here?”

Tanya grins, and I don’t like what that might mean. “You’ll see.”

I glance over at Dani, who is focused on her food but I know she’s been able to hear the entire conversation.

There’s a tap on the microphone behind me and I have to turn in my chair to see what’s going on now. The event planner stands there, smiling at the crowd.

“We want to welcome all of you here to the Clark Medical Group Annual Ball. The hostess of tonight would like to make a few announcements before we get started with the full festivities.”

My mother walks over and takes the microphone from the woman, putting on her winning smile, the one she pulls out for special occasions.

“Thank you, Ziya. Isn’t this place lovely tonight?” Mom says, gesturing to the large room and waiting for applause. Once it dies down, she continues. “We have a lot to be thankful for at the Clark Medical Group. We’ve been given so many great new hires and a lot of talent to help us help the medical community.”

I frown, trying to figure out what she means by all the new hires. She’s never cared about them before. People tend to be collateral damage when it comes to Anita Clark.

Slight pressure on my arm causes me to face Dani.

“Breathe. You need to breathe, Miles.” With her warning, I recognize the burn in my lungs.

Taking in deep breaths, my heart rate slowly returns to normal. I’ve missed some of what my mother has said in the process but from where I pick back up, I’m guessing she’s started a new tradition of giving out awards. Is this her trying to turn over a new leaf?

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