“To avoid your ex thinking you’re available?”
“You’re hitting the high points.” He shook his head then peered down the hallway past her with a glazed-over look. “I know it sounds pathetic, and it probably won’t work. But I can’t let my family think I’m available. I need my ex to believe I’ve moved on. It’s pitiful and childish, but aren’t we all like that when it comes to broken hearts?”
Brooke knew loads about broken hearts not only from romantic relationships. Her heart still broke a little when she saw families out with their kids, parents doting on them with love in their eyes. Her mom never once looked at her with an ounce of compassion. So love, yeah, Brooke wasn’t sure she’d ever have the privilege of experiencing it. It seemed like an intangible thing just outside of her reach. People like her learned to continue with the constant voice in their head making themquestion their own worth. Seeing Logan wearing the face of defeat did something to her.
“I’m in,” Brooke quickly said. “I’ll do it.”
“Really?” His face brightened and light entered his eyes again. “You will?”
“Yes.” This was a terrible idea. “But—” her voice trailed off.
“What?” He stepped closer, close enough her breath hitched. “I’ll do anything, just say the word.”
Brooke exhaled. “You have to pretend to be my boyfriend for Ian and Aubrey’s wedding. I can’t go alone. I might die from the humiliation. Justin is Ian’s best man. I’m a bridesmaid. Let’s just say, I think this proposition could be mutually beneficial for us both.”
“Done.” Logan smiled and pulled back his shoulders. “I’ll text you and let you know the details of this dinner with my parents. My sister will be there too with her family. It’s a whole thing.”
“Meaning—” Brooke shifted her weight from one foot to the other, “what exactly?”
“My sister Danielle will ask you a bazillion questions.” Logan ran a hand through his hair. “My parents will act far too thrilled to have you there. Someone will make it awkward by saying something off base then asking when the wedding is. You know, normal family meddling.”
She didn’t know, but it sounded interesting, maybe even a little fun.
“I can’t wait.” Brooke couldn’t help it, she smiled. “If I’m faking a romantic relationship to an entire slew of people, I better start brushing up on my acting skills. I did take some improv classes back in high school but that was mainly comedy.”
“Unfortunately, my life is comical to everyone else but me.” Logan grinned. “You’ll fit right in.”
Her gaze locked with his and a tingle rushed through her. She cleared her throat. “How long do we have before this family dinner?”
Logan’s lips twitched. “My sister wants us to go next weekend, but I’ll push her off as long as possible. I can buy us a bit more time.” He scratched his jaw. “We’ll probably need to meet up beforehand to do a rough outline of our relationship timeline. I need my family to believe this is real.”
“They will, don’t worry. I think hashing out the details of your whirlwind romance is a good idea though.” Her phone buzzed, and she fished it out of her pocket. An email from the head of pediatrics flashed across the screen. He needed to discuss a patient’s case with her. “I need to go address this email.” She peered up at him while she tapped her phone against her palm. “Text me, Logan, and we’ll figure out when to meet up.” She paused then added, “This will work.”
“I sure hope so.” A gloomy look danced across his face, and Brooke wanted to reach out and hug him but knew it wasn’t appropriate.
A doctor Brooke knew walked by, and she waved then turned back to Logan and said very professionally, “I look forward to collaborating with you on this issue.” The doctor waved back, then continued down the hallway until they were out of earshot.
Logan plunged his hand into the front pocket of his lab coat and yanked out a personal size package of mini Oreos. “Me too. Here,” he slapped the package into her hands, “I told you I pay off my friends. Here’s something for the road.” Then he winked. “I’ll be in touch.” Then he left.
She smiled and slipped the package into her pocket and headed to her office to address the email waiting for her.
CHAPTER 5
Three weeks whizzed right on by. Logan learned the ins and outs of his new job. His time became consumed with long surgeries and being on call. The best part of his day, though, became his fun late night text exchanges with Brooke. After they came to their agreement in the hospital, Logan started texting her in the evening under the guise of getting to know her. He promised it was research to sell their fake relationship to his family and her friends.
But before he even knew what happened, Brooke became the bright spot in his day.
He’d managed to keep his sister and parents at bay about his new girlfriend, but he knew it was tick tock. If he didn’t materialize at Sunday dinner soon with Brooke on his arm, he didn’t know what Danielle would plan without his knowledge.
One evening after a long work day, Logan returned to his apartment, kicked off his shoes and brought his take-out to his couch. Before he even sat down, his phone dinged. He smiled, grappling it out of his pocket expecting a text from Brooke. Instead, tension gathered in his shoulders.
Admit it, this Brooke woman isn’t real.
He groaned and lowered himself onto the couch and set the to-go bag on the coffee table. Logan wondered how best to respond. He found his disposable fork from the to-go bag and removed the to-go box. His stomach growled so he ate half of the orange chicken before he responded.
She’s real. But even you must admit our family is a lot, and I didn’t want to scare her off by bringing her home to meet everyone if the relationship fizzled and died out before it became anything real.
According to my calculations, you’ve been dating this mystery woman for at least a month.
