Page 28 of Doctor I Do

“I’m a neurologist,” I say proudly.

Hector’s face softens, and he nods. “Good job.”

“It’s very rewarding,” I reply, knowing there’s more to being a doctor than the money.

Sonya hands us our drinks and I thank her. I watch her grab Tahlia and pull her over to the sofa on the other side of the room. I stay standing with Hector. Who starts firing questions at me.

“Will my daughter be left alone a lot? I know doctors’ schedules are very busy.”

I hope not.

His question is fair, and I think for a moment how to speak the truth but also keep up with our lie.

I glance over to where Tahlia sits talking with her mother. She must feel my eyes on her because she turns and the lift of those lips in a secret smile causes my breath to catch.

Turning back to face her father, I can only be honest. “I will do my best to always be there for her in all ways. I can’t promise to give her a nine-to-five job, but I promise when I’m home, she will be all I focus on every minute of the day or night.”

He dips his head and sips his amber liquid, and I sip the refreshing soda and wait for the next question. Because it’s her dad, after all, so I’d be stupid to think he would only ask one.

“You’re engaged?” her mom shrieks.

My head whips back around, and I watch her mom pull out of a hug and grab Tahlia’s hand.

Tahlia’s face has a dusting of pink as her mom moves her head this way and that to get a good look.

“Hector, come look at the size of this ring,” her mom gushes, smiling brightly, pushing Tahlia’s hand out in our direction.

“In a minute, Sonya.”

I turn around again, knowing this means he hasn’t finished drilling me.

“Why didn’t you ask me?” he asks in a deep, yet quiet, voice.

Oh, fuck. Here we go.

When I don’t respond right away he asks again. “Why didn’t you ask me for my daughter’s hand in marriage?”

I swallow hard. I need to be convincing.

“Well, I…” Clearing my throat, I take a breath. “I hadn’t met you yet and didn’t think telling you over the phone was appropriate.” I’m rattling off bullshit, and I just hope it saves me.

He stays silent, his eyes trained on Tahlia. I decide to turn the conversation around. Get it off Tahlia and our fake engagement. “How long have you been married?”

He twists his face to me, bringing his tumbler to his mouth and taking a sip before answering. “Thirty wonderful years.”

I want to ask him how he knew she was the one, but considering I’m marrying his daughter, I should know that already. Only he doesn’t understand that I’m broken inside, and this engagement is fake.

I’m totally fucked. I run my hand through my hair.

A woman wearing an apron comes into the room and informs us that dinner is ready. Taking my soda, I go toward Tahlia and walk with her to the dining room where a large rectangle table is. I’m careful to keep close to her. As I remember all the things Mike and Alice do, so tonight goes seamlessly.

However, I just realized that we have to keep this up until her birthday, so how many times will I see her parents?

I hope not many.

A couple of times I can handle. More than that, I can’t promise not to slip up.

The table is already set for dinner. There’s silverware, dinner plates, water glasses, bread, and butter.

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