Page 39 of Doctor Grump

“I see,” I said, glad my voice remained neutral.

“Yeah,” Piper said. “So now I kind of need someone to play the part of my fake boyfriend to get my parents off my back.”

She gave me an uncertain look. “And don’t worry, I already scratched you off the list of potential people to play the part. I know it could make things awkward between us, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to, and there’s your daughter—”

“Yes,” I said simply.

“Yes, what?” she wondered, confusion clear on her face.

“Yes, I’ll play the part of your fake fiancé,” I said.Because the thought of you with anyone else, even if it’s fake, just might drive me crazy.

She blinked. “Really?”

“Really,” I said with a nod.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She clapped her hands together. “Oh my God, that is such a relief.” She shared a happy look with her friend, who smiled as well.

“Well, I hope it works,” Bella said, although she sounded unsure.

“It will. But we have to make a show of it,” Piper said, nodding before addressing me again. “Will you be going to the ball later this month?”

I nearly cursed internally at the reminder. I had almost forgotten about it. The Governor’s ball wouldn’t usually be something that would interest me. In the past, you couldn’t pay me to attend, but this year was different.

“You don’t have to do it,” Piper said. “I can introduce you to my parents another time, something more lowkey….”

“I’ll go,” I said.

Piper looked relieved but surprised at the same time. “You really don’t have to.”

“I do,” I insisted. “Your family’s lawsuit made sure of that.”

Her face wrinkled up in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“They’re trying to take me to court over Judith’s will, citing malpractice. And they want it to be in front of a jury.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Piper said, sounding incensed at the suggestion. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I know. But they know they have a lot more influence and likeability in town, so they feel like if I’m tried in front of a jury, they just might get the chance to get a verdict they want.”

“That’s horrible.”

“Yes. My lawyer is trying to get the whole thing thrown out altogether, but he suggested that in anticipation of a jury trial, I might want to make myself more likable around town, try to get out more.” The very thought irritated me, but I could see his point. “He suggested the ball would be a good start.”

“Ah, I see.” Piper gave me a sad look. “Sorry about my family. I know they can be a lot.”

“It’s fine,” I said. In fact, now that I thought about it, fake dating Piper could work in my favor. After all, she was very likable around town, and being with her might make me more tolerable by association. As much as I hated the thought of using her in that respect, it was just as well that she was using me too.

“So, what do you say we take a walk and talk about our upcoming nuptials?” I asked.

She blushed adorably when she said, “Sure.”

She quickly said goodbye to her friend, who introduced herself as Piper’s cousin. After that, we were on our way. As we walked, we conjured up an entire love story, beginning with how we met. I kept it simple, stating that we had only fallen in love when she started working for me, but Piper insisted on adding some details to give “pizazz” to the story, as she put it.

It was one of the most enjoyable afternoons I could remember spending. I knew I had to get back to work, but it was hard to leave Piper’s tinkling laugh at my grumpy retorts whenever her “romantic side” went overboard. Not to mention the way she would throw her head back every once in a while so she could look at me…I couldn’t remember ever feeling so good in my life.

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