She’s probably trying to decide if I’m still a nice guy. Because what nice guy needs a fake girlfriend?
"Why do you need a fake girlfriend?" Nikki asked as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "To impress the CEOs and get a promotion or get an inheritance from your controlling grandpa?"
"Nah, nothing like that. It's just that his mom?—"
"Luke!" Heat rushed through Gabe's body. He had never spoken with such sharpness, especially in front of patients.
Luke stepped closer to him and lowered his voice. "Relax, man. I know what I'm doing."
I doubt that.
Gabe couldn't see how this could go any direction but south.
"His mom is always harping on him about dating, insisting he needs to find himself a girlfriend. But he works so much, he doesn't have time to date. He just needs someone to help get his mom off his case for a while."
Gabe chanced a glance at Paige again. She stared at him, her brow creased, and lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes held a questioning look, but Gabe couldn't interpret the question.
"I'll be your girlfriend." Nikki gave him a broad smile, then she giggled. "I mean I'll be yourfakegirlfriend."
Is she batting her eyelashes at me?
Nikki was cute and all, but she was way too young for him to take home to his mother.
"Thanks, but no thanks." He gave Nikki as nice of a smile as he could muster. "I don't want to get arrested."
"Hey, I turned eighteen last month."
"Yes, but you're still in high school."
"Only for two more weeks." Nikki's features transformed into a pout.
"Gabe doesn't want his mom to think he robbed the cradle," Luke said with a wink at Nikki to soften the blow.
Instead of feeling relieved Luke stepped in, Gabe shot the kid another annoyed look.
"You should do it, Paige." Nikki pointed across the room.
Paige's head popped up. "Do what?"
"You should pretend to be Gabe's girlfriend," Nikki insisted.
"Me?" Wide-eyed, Paige pointed at her chest. Then she jerked her head side to side before shooting Gabe an apologetic look. "No way. Sorry, but I'm done with men."
A myriad of emotions flitted across her face including what looked like regret, distrust, and a hint of confusion.
"That's a pity," Luke said. "You and Gabe would make an attractive couple."
Nikki giggled again. "The cutest."
Paige's brows shot up as her mouth dropped open. Color reddened her cheeks as she again shook her head.
A surge of relief filled Gabe. If Paige had offered to be his girlfriend—like Nikki did—he'd feel obligated to accept. But getting involved with Paige outside the office could cost him his job and possibly his heart.
Disappointment chased away the relief. Paige had rejected him. He assumed it was because of how badly she'd been hurt by her ex, but it was hard not to take her rejection personally, especially after the chemistry between them at the pool last week.
All this humiliation, and I still need to find a woman to take home to meet my mom.
He had no idea where or how to do that.
