"I don't want that kind of gossip either. I promise I’m going to make it right.”
“I know. I just freaked out at hearing you ask everyone to continue to keep this a secret.” She jerked a hand toward the hospital. "I'm caught up in living a lie all over again, and I’m afraid somebody will let something slip, and it's all going to blow up in our faces."
"Me too."
“Do you really think you will lose your job over this? I mean, we’ve always known that was a possibility, but hearing Evelyn point out that you could lose your license, it hit me at how dire the consequences could be for you.”
He let out a heavy sigh as he raked his fingers through his hair. “In the beginning, I tried to distance myself from you during PT, because I knew exactly what the risks were for getting involved with a patient. When you agreed to be my fake girlfriend, I tried to tell myself I wasn’t crossing any boundaries, because there wasn’t an emotional attachment. But then I made the mistake of holding your hand and kissing you. I fell for you so fast after that.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I never should have lied to my mom in the first place, but I don't regret it, Paige. If I hadn't been so intent on making her happy, I would have kept my emotions locked up. I never would have let my guard down and let myself fall in love with you."
Tears sprang to Paige’s eyes. “Falling in love shouldn’t cost you your job and your reputation.”
"God willing, it won’t.” He locked gazes with her. “I meant what I said to Evelyn. I don't want to lose my job, but if I need to give it up to have you in my life, I will."
She was touched that Gabe would give up his dream for her. But he shouldn't have to make that kind of sacrifice. She dug in her purse for his grandmother's ring.
"I think we should break off our engagement until we no longerhave to keep secrets. Maybe you'll be less likely to lose your job if we aren't involved in any kind of relationship."
His face fell when she held the ring out to him. "Paige, no. I've already requested a meeting with Dr. Stoker tomorrow morning." He shifted from one foot to the other. "And I’m hoping to catch your dad after work today."
Poor guy. Talking to her dad about this whole thing would be doubly difficult.
She pressed the ring into his palm. "I still think it's best if we aren't involved until after everything is cleared up." Which would hopefully only be twenty-four hours. With her heart feeling like it might split in two, she walked the short distance to her car and opened the door.
He followed her. “It won’t change anything. The damage is done. I’m going to tell them the truth; that I’ve fallen in love with one of my patients.”
Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. “Good, but I still think it best we take a step back. Just until we can move forward without pretenses and secrets.” She put a hand on his arm. “It might help if I talk to my dad before you do.”
“No.” He squared his shoulders. “It was my lies that got us into this whole mess in the first place. I need to face the music.”
“Call me tonight?” When he nodded, she turned to climb into her car then remembered one other thing. “By the way, I called the office in Pasco this morning. Dr. Stoker’s schedule is booked solid for the next two weeks. Looks like I’m stuck with Toa.”
When they talked on the phone last night about her driving to Pasco for PT, Gabe said he’d make sure Dr. Stoker fit her into his schedule, but that might be easier said than done.
“We’ll figure it out.” He stepped close and took her into his arms again. “Don’t give up on me, Paige. I’m going to do everything I can to fix this.”
“I’m not giving up on you. On us.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his shoulder. “But I am going pray really hard that this doesn’t cost you your job.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
CHAPTER 26
Gabe's leg bounced as his eyes scanned Dr. Young's office. Other than his undergrad and medical school degrees, a family picture in which Paige was a teenager was the only decor on the walls.
He rolled his shoulders, willing himself to relax. If he acted nervous, Dr. Young would pick up on that and assume he was guilty of more than falling in love with a patient.
I am guilty of more.
It wouldn’t surprise him if word had already spread throughout the hospital complex—or worse yet, town—about the fiasco in the PT office this morning. When he'd returned to the gym after Paige drove away, he'd been pelted with questions. His response that everything was fine between him and Paige was yet another lie, but his expression must have been grim enough they hadn't hounded him for details.
He was hopeful if he presented his case to Dr. Stoker in the right manner, he wouldn't lose his job. But he didn't know Dr. Young well enough to know how he'd respond to Gabe dating a patient, who happened to be his daughter.
He still couldn't believe Paige had broken up with him. Sort of.
Maybe she was right. It would be so much easier to move forward with their relationship if they weren’t keeping secrets. Regardless of the outcome of his talks with Dr. Young and Dr. Stoker, he planned to camp on Paige's doorstep after everything was out in the open. He’d make an even bigger nuisance of himself than Phillip had, until she took the ring back.
He wouldn’t make the same mistake he made with Harper. He loved Paige, and he refused to let her slip away.
"Gabe," Dr. Young's booming voice made Gabe jump. "My medical assistant just told me you wanted to speak to me. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." He held out his hand.
