Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mia
“ M ia, there you are,” Blakely, the clinic’s office manager says, popping her head into the breakroom. My heart drops, wondering why she’s looking for me.
I’ve felt sick to my stomach since handing her my paperwork this morning. I did list Angus as my emergency contact but left the box that asks how the person’s related to you blank. She must have noticed something off about my forms.
Shit.
“I wanted to give you this.” She hands me an envelope with my name written in beautiful handwriting on the front and takes a seat next to me on the ultra-plush couch that matches a second couch and two oversized armchairs. They really spared no expense when designing this place.
“What’s this?” I ask, relieved it’s not about my employment paperwork.
Adorable, blonde, tall, and thin, Blakely is the epitome of the girl next door. Somehow, she looks even cuter when she bounces in her seat before she fills me in on what’s inside the envelope in my hand.
“Well, since we hadn’t made our final hires before the holiday, we weren’t able to have our company holiday party. We decided a late celebration would be a great way to get to know each other. Since half the staff is from California and the other half from various towns in the area, we thought it would be a good icebreaker of sorts. Besides, it’s a good excuse for you and the hubby to have a date night.”
No, no, no. This cannot be happening. I need to think of something quickly.
I open the envelope as I rack my brain for any excuse I can.
“Oh, it’s this weekend.”
“I know, it’s super short notice. But if you’re worried about a dress, Hailey showed me pictures from the other night at your brother's wedding. You looked stunning. Wear that dress again. How often do you get the chance to wear a bridesmaid dress more than once?”
There are times I really hate small towns.
“Oh, I wish we could, but my parents, who were my primary babysitters, just moved to Florida.”
“No worries, we have day care all lined up if you need it.”
Of course you do.
“Okay, well, let me talk to Angus and I’ll let you know as soon as I can.”
She gets up, clapping her hands as she practically skips out of the room. “Great, can’t wait to meet him. This is gonna be so much fun!”
Checking the clock, I have twelve minutes left of my lunch hour. No time like the present to rip the band-aid off. Texting Angus no longer feels like it used to. Easy, breezy, no big deal. Not since our night happened. Since then, everything is different. Even a simple text causes my heart to leap into my chest.
I had almost convinced myself I had made the whole thing up regardless of the marks he left on my breasts or the soreness between my legs the next day. But then I saw him at The House. My body caught fire the moment I laid my eyes on him. When he hugged me in front of everyone, it felt impossible for it not to be obvious, but no one, not even Daisy, caught on. The way he watched me all night, hell, the way I watched him all night was all the proof I needed.
Our night really happened.
Other than our hug, we didn’t touch or really go near each other, but neither of us hid the fact that we were keenly aware of the other. Neither of us turned away when caught staring, instead our eye contact grew deeper and prolonged. The outright craving in his eyes had me hot and bothered all night long.
But we are not a thing.
MIA
Hey.
Three little bubbles instantly dance at the bottom of my phone’s screen and even though I know better, I grin ear to ear because he read my message as soon as he received it. But most of all because he isn’t too cool to reply right away.
GUS
Hey, wifey.
Cue the butterflies and the mild throbbing between my legs. Why do I even bother telling myself there’s nothing more between the two of us? As much as my brain knows nothing further can happen, my body can’t seem to get the message.
GUS
Whatever Sawyer told you… it isn’t true!
This man knows how to put a smile on my face.
MIA
You’re lucky he doesn’t speak in full sentences yet.
GUS
You’re telling me. So, what’s up, Buttercup?
MIA
Well... it’s time for you to regret agreeing to this whole fake husband situation
GUS
Never.
MIA
You say that now...
Okay, you asked for it. My new boss is having a late holiday party for employees and their spouses. I tried the babysitting excuse, but they already have that covered, of course.
GUS
Hell, yes! You know I never say no to a good time. Just shoot me the details and what to wear and I’m there.
I got you, Goof.
MIA
I think it’s pretty fancy.
GUS
I can do fancy.
MIA
Are you sure? You don’t have to do this. I can come up with an excuse.
GUS
Have you ever known me to do something I don’t want to do?
MIA
No.
I’m not sure when I got off the couch, but I’m pacing back and forth in front of it now, just like I used to as a teenager when I was talking to a boy on the phone. It’s what I do when I get excited.
GUS
There’s your answer. Send me the details.
Why does he have to be so dang perfect?
MIA
Thank you. I owe you big time.
GUS
I’m still waiting for that thank you dinner.
MIA
You free tomorrow night or do you have to be at the bar for the dinner rush?
GUS
I own the place.
What time?
MIA
6:00? It’ll be me and Sawyer.
GUS
Perfect.
MIA
Okay. See you tomorrow. We can brush up on our fun facts to make sure we know each other well enough to keep this fake marriage up.
GUS
It’s a date.
The alarm on my phone goes off, letting me know my lunch is over. Tucking my phone in the front pocket of my navy scrubs, I do my best to shove the butterflies in my stomach back in their cage so I can focus on the rest of my afternoon.
If only it were that easy.
Angus McKinnon is a stubborn man and if I let him take up space in my head and let’s be real, my heart, there isn’t much that can be done.