Page 19 of Doctor I Do

I just hope Alex won’t mind. I don’t think he would. But then again, he’s a player and will have to agree to not see anyone or sleep with anyone else while being with me. Could he do that? I won’t be giving him sex in any form, that’s for sure. A kiss, well, I could do that, but anything further is out of the question.

“Send me a picture.”

Panic clutches at my throat. I don’t have a picture of us.

Think, Tahlia! Think!

“I’ll show you in real life. Pictures don’t do him justice.”

“Okay, well, tomorrow night, you come here for dinner and bring your boyfriend, Alex. Your father and I can’t wait to meet him.” She sounds happy, and I can’t believe she bought it. I just need to get Alex to agree and somehow act like a real couple in front of them.

This is so bad. I have dug myself the biggest hole and I don’t know how I’ll get out of it. If they were to figure out the truth, I can only imagine the disappointment I would be to them.

“I don’t kn—”

“Tahlia, I’ll see you and Alex at six p.m. sharp. Don’t be late.”

I slouch down on the hard wooden bench and give in to her request. “Okay, Mom.”

We hang up, and I sit staring at the phone.

How am I going to ask Alex?

I picture it. Me nervously trying to explain that I need his help to be my fake boyfriend so I can get my inheritance. Then I say, “Oh, but we need to get married.” I can imagine the horror on his face. Yep, I’m so screwed.

But if I at least get him to agree to fake date me, I might be able to figure out a way to convince him.

Do I turn up at his work, home, or call him?

I don’t have his address, so that rules out the home option. He could be in surgery or on the ward or not even be at work...Calling is my only option at this point.

I suck in a big, deep breath and scroll through my contacts. Thankful we swapped numbers for Mike and Alice’s wedding present.

It isn’t long before my thumb hovers over his name.

I can do it…

Shit, I’m doing it.

It’s ringing.

Butterflies hit my stomach, and I don’t know if I’m going to be sick. But it’s too late because he answers.

“Hello?” he says, clearly without recognizing my number. I’m a little bummed, if I’m honest.

“Ouch, you don’t even have my number saved.”

A deep chuckle sounds down the line, and it makes me smile. “Ahhh, T. I better get to saving, then. Can’t have my favorite girl upset.”

His flirty words cause my stomach to flip, but I laugh it off and mutter, “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”

“Nope,” he says, and then whispers, “Only you.”

My heart picks up speed, and I’m trying not to overthink this and let it derail me.

“I don’t know how much you’re going to like me soon.”

He clears his throat, and I tilt my head and close my eyes as I let the sun hit my face.

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