Page 59 of Doctor I Do

“You’re an asshole,” Mike grumbles.

“A winning asshole,” I reply, laughing.

We get back to the bar, where we hold beers. Mike already finished half of it.

Mike's focus is on me. He wants me to spill everything.

There’s a worried expression, and I can take a stab that it’ll be for Alice. Alice and Tahlia are best friends, so if his wife’s upset, so is he.

I’m trying not to hurt Tahlia, but it seems I keep doing it. When really, I’m trying to protect her.

“When did you get engaged? I never knew you two were a thing.”

“We weren’t.”

“What the fuck, Alex. Spit it out. Stop messing around.”

“She asked me to be a fake boyfriend to her parents—”

Mike interrupts, “Why?”

“She quit Frank’s and wanted her inheritance. But to do that, she needs to get married.”

“Christ,” Mike splutters before taking a decent pull of his beer.

“I told her, let’s get engaged so she can get her part of the business. I’m glad I did. You should see her slowly changing. The way she wants to learn everything possible about the business is so fucking alluring.”

“So, hang on. Let me get this straight. You’re definitely getting married.”

“Yeah, we’ve been doing all the wedding prep, so I need to ask you something.”

“Yeah, what?” Mike asks.

“Will you be my best man?”

He stares for a second before laughing. “Yeah, why not? I’ll happily play the fake best man.”

“This means I get to organize a bachelor party.” Mike smirks, rubbing his hands together.

“Nothing that can get me in trouble.”

“You sound like you’ve caught the feels.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, so what? That doesn’t mean I’ve acted on it.”

“Why?”

“She deserves better than me. I don’t want to hurt her.”

“You won’t.”

The next day after I’ve finished work, I pull into the driveway, and notice her car is missing. I don’t recall her saying she had work today, but this morning I wasn’t thinking clearly. I park and wander up the stairs, admitting her not being home right now is probably for the best. This morning was intense. I had a hard time concentrating today, because of my wandering thoughts about Tahlia. Every gasp, shiver, and moan fixed into my brain. I’m annoyed at myself that I can’t switch off these feelings.

When I step inside, I walk around through the quiet house. I hate her not being home. I miss the TV being obnoxiously loud and her mess in the kitchen. Or her warm, sweet chocolate scent that hits me as I walk up the stairs and past her room to go into mine. Even making her breakfast and coffee in the morning is a highlight, and I never thought living with a woman could be so easy. But Tahlia’s presence has grown on me.

And now I’ve probably upset her by turning down her advances. She’s given me every indication she’s interested. The only thing she hasn’t done is kiss me. I know I’ve been teasing her, but not completely giving in. Just dangling her along with a carrot.

I’m such an asshole.

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