Chapter 18 You Can’t Hold That Over Me Forever
Ryan looked the young man over, quietly amused.
So that was his job today. Run interference.
Chloe rolled her eyes.
“This is Ryan Carter. My boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”
The word came out much louder than the young man intended. He quickly tried to recover.
“Since when? You’ve never mentioned him. You didn’t hire someone to fool your parents, did you?”
Got it in one.
Ryan suppressed a laugh and looked at Chloe.
“Who’s this?”
“Jason Wallace. That’s his father, Andrew. He’s a friend of Dad’s and runs their family’s real estate company. They came to visit Grandpa.”
Ryan understood.
Two fathers who were friends, one son, one daughter. They were hoping to turn a business connection into a family one.
Richard apparently approved. Chloe plainly didn’t.
Which made Ryan the human shield.
She ignored Jason’s question and turned to her father.
“We’re going upstairs. Ryan needs to treat Grandpa.”
“Go ahead.” Richard’s expression remained unreadable. “Thank you, Ryan.”
“We’re practically family. No need to thank me.” Ryan smiled. “Enjoy your visit. I’ll take care of Walter.”
Richard’s brow twitched.
Family? Since when?
If this penniless ex-soldier thought he was marrying Chloe, he had another thing coming.
Jason would need some encouragement. Once he’d won Chloe over, Ryan could be sent on his way. By then, Walter would be nearly recovered, and the treatment fee had already been paid.
No unfinished business. No debt of gratitude.
At the top of the stairs, Chloe stopped and gave Ryan a thumbs-up.
“Nicely done. Keep it up. Get rid of him.”
“You didn’t mention this part of the job.”
“You’re my boyfriend. Keeping other men from pestering me comes with it.”
“You’ve arranged this very nicely for yourself.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She swatted his arm, then seemed to notice how familiar the gesture was. Her expression sharpened.
“We have a deal. Don’t back out. And don’t get any ideas.”
“I remember. I’m not good enough for you.”
Chloe huffed, then hesitated.
“You’re not that bad. You’re decent-looking, and your medical skills are incredible. Even Whitmore couldn’t do what you did. You could make a name for yourself. Earn good money. Build a future.”
“Where? I don’t have a medical license. A hospital won’t hire me, and I can’t open a clinic.”
“Then work toward getting one.” Her expression was earnest. “With what you know, you should be able to manage it. Ask Whitmore how to start. He can at least point you in the right direction.”
Ryan studied her.
She was still making it clear that he shouldn’t pin his hopes on her. But underneath that was genuine encouragement. She’d seen something he was good at and wanted him to use it.
He liked her a little better for that.
“Sure. I’ll get licensed and treat rich people. A few hundred thousand a patient, and I’ll be a multimillionaire in a couple of years.”
He smiled.
“Would I qualify as boyfriend material then?”
She laughed.
“Once you’re a famous doctor with millions in the bank, Dad won’t look down on you. Work hard enough and maybe I’ll marry you myself.”
“Then wait for me. I’ll get started.”
“Who said I was waiting?” She gave him a shove. “Go treat my grandfather.”
He followed her into Walter’s room.
The old man brightened at the sight of him, greeting him with the affection of someone welcoming a future grandson-in-law.
Ryan examined him, performed the treatment, and stayed to chat for a few minutes.
Outside the room, he glanced at Chloe.
“All done. I’ll head out.”
She caught his arm at once.
“It’s lunchtime. Stay and eat.”
“And take the heat from your admirer?” He gave her an amused look. “You already got the good looks. You can’t expect everything else to go your way, too.”
When he moved to leave, she tightened her grip.
“We had a deal! You… you saw my breasts. Aren’t you going to take responsibility?”
He stared at her, then laughed.
“Again? It was an accident, and I was saving your life. You’ve already used that once. You can’t hold it over me forever.”
Her expression changed. A teasing smile curved her lips, and her fingers caught the neckline of her dress.
“Then how about another look?”