I glance at Peter Tate, wondering what he thinks of the whole thing. He got Nina in the door but he hasn’t said much since, and his expression doesn’t give much away.
“I’m afraid I’m busy Wednesday,” Dr. Malone says apologetically. “I have plans with my girlfriend.”
“Oh.” Nina seems to deflate, like a balloon that’s been popped with a pin.
“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend,” Peter says curiously. “Is it a recent thing?”
“Pretty recent, yeah,” Dr. Malone replies.
That’s kind of surprising. Based on the phone conversation I overheard a couple weeks ago, I’d have guessed he and Breanna were a long-term thing.
“You should bring her to dinner,” Peter suggests. “Anyone we know?”
“Actually,” Dr. Malone says slowly. “It’s Alexandra Parker.”
Huh? What happened to Breanna, and how has he moved on so quickly? And he said he’s dating Alexandra Parker, and that’s not exactly a common name, but he can’t mean . . .
“Your assistant?” Nina’s staring at me with a mixture of envy and disbelief. She thinks he means me.
“Oh, no,” I put in quickly. “No, I’m not?—”
“Alexandra’s not actuallymyassistant,” Dr. Malone interrupts, conveniently forgetting that he introduced me as his assistant five minutes ago. “I couldn’t date her if she were, obviously; HR would frown on that. She actually works for Heather Larkin.”
I bob my head in a parody of a nod. Now I know how Alice felt when she fell down the rabbit hole and woke up in Wonderland.
Dr. Malone just told Peter and Nina Tate he’s dating me.
Both Tates are still looking at me with interest, taking in my polyester blouse and scuffed ballet flats. I’m sure they’re wondering how I managed to snag the attention of someone like Dr. Malone.
“But how—” Nina begins.
“That’s great,” Peter cuts her off, probably because he guessed she was about to say something rude. “How do you feel about coming to dinner on Wednesday, Alexandra?” He glances at Drew. “Unless you and Drew had planned a romantic evening for two, in which case we’ll pick another night.”
“Oh,” I say, stalling for time. “No, uh, we didn’t have a romantic evening planned.” That, at least, is the truth.
“I think that would work,” Dr. Malone says, giving me a speaking look. “Right, Alexandra?”
He’s still holding my gaze, asking me to play along. And really, what else can I say?
“Right. Yes, I’d like that.”
Dr. Malone lets out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
“Great,” Peter says with a smile. “Shall we say seven o’clock? You know the way, right, Drew?”
Dr. Malone nods. “Yeah. Seven’s good.”
“Perfect,” Peter says. “Well, we should go, eh, Nina? We’ll see you Wednesday.”
Nina still looks unhappy, but she lets her father lead her out of the office.
Dr. Malone follows them to the door and closes it behind them before turning to face me. And even though the Tates just left, the office feels smaller for some reason. He’s standing less than a foot away, and I can smell the woodsy scent of his soap.
“Alexandra,” he says sheepishly. “Uh, why don’t you sit down.”
Great idea. I plop down in the chair he keeps for visitors, and he walks around and sits behind his desk. Having the desk between us makes it a little easier to think.
“You said I was your girlfriend?” I say faintly. Part of me still wonders if I hallucinated the whole thing.
