"Why?"
Gabe gave a tense chuckle. "When did this become twenty questions?"
"When you asked me to lie to your mom for you."
He winced. "Do you have to phrase it like that? Can't we just think of it as putting on a performance for my mom?"
"I should probably warn you that I dropped out of my high school drama class because I'm a horrible actress."
"I'm not much of an actor either, but this is important to me, so you'd better believe I'm going to give the performance of a lifetime."
Performance of a lifetime in a fake relationship?
That thought both thrilled and terrified Paige. How was she supposed to keep her growing interest in her therapist in check if they made their fake relationship that convincing?
"You never answered my question." She changed the subject back to him.
"Which one? You've asked several."
"Why haven't you dated much?"
He shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. "For the same reason you've sworn off men."
"She cheated on you?" Paige's heart went out to Gabe. She recalled his reaction last week when she asked him if he had ever cheated on a woman. No wonder he was offended. It must have been incredibly painful for him if he still avoided dating after all these years.
"With my best friend."
"Ouch." Paige grimaced as she resisted the urge to reach out to him. She folded her arms instead.
"You can say that again." He kicked a small rock off the paved path. "I'm over it. Have been for a while, but that doesn't mean I'm eager to jump into another relationship that has the potential…to fail."
"Amen."
"What exactly happened with Phillip?" He looked sideways at her.
Paige didn't want to talk about Phillip any more than he wanted to talk about his ex, but there needed to be honesty between them. She gave him a brief rundown of meeting Phillip at the gym, his persistent flirting, and their months of dating. "I learned the truth on Valentine’s Day. From his pregnant fiancée with whom he’d finally set a wedding date."
Gabe let out a low whistle. "No wonder you were so eager to get away from that—" He cut himself off and cleared his throat. "Youweretrying to get away from him when you were hit by the car, weren't you?"
"Yes." Grateful for the lack of judgment on Gabe's face, Paige sucked in a relieved breath as she nodded. "Can you believe he had the nerve to show up at the hospital after my accident to ask me to keep seeing him on the side?"
Gabe stopped walking. "You're kidding."
"I wish." Paige rolled her eyes. "And then last night he showed up, saying Avery, his fiancée—I mean, former fiancée—lost the baby. So he broke up with her, because he wants me back."
"Wow." Gabe shook his head in disbelief. "Just…wow. I can't believe his arrogance. Do you think he bought our act this afternoon? Have we seen the last of him?"
"I don't know. He can be persistent when he wants to be. I mean, he strung me along for eight months.” Paige resumed walking.
"I'd rather not stage a public display if we can help it but let me know if he keeps bothering you."
She nodded, hoping that wouldn’t be necessary. "How long will I need to play the part of your girlfriend?"
Gabe's posture stiffened and the muscle in his jaw jumped again. "I'm not sure. A few months maybe." The words sounded tense and forced.
"Months?" Paige's stomach sank.
"My mom's not going to believe you're really my girlfriend if you only show up with me once or twice."
