The Sweetheart Hoax Page 2

  “I knew she wasn’t your type,” Danny said. “If this real estate gig hadn’t worked out, she’d have been posing for one of those billboards along the interstate promising triple X lunch buffets.”

  Ha. At least Danny had some sense. Of course, he was from Echo and had probably heard about her less than upstanding reputation in high school.

  “Now you tell me.”

  “Does she know you broke up with her because of the billboard?”

  Phil sighed so loud Margot could hear it from her desk fifteen feet away. “Probably, but I don’t care. What the heck was she thinking? This is as scandalous as that judge a few years back who admitted he’d fathered a love child with his mistress.”

  Margot sucked in a breath. Why, of all things for him to compare finding Kelly on a billboard to, why that?

  Phil cursed and Margot heard him padding back and forth through Danny’s cramped office. “Now I’m really in a bind.”

  “You should ease up on the women for awhile. Take some time to yourself and play golf or get one of your girly manicures.”

  “One time I got a manicure,” Phil said. “And it was a gift. I told my mom I was bringing someone home for my dad’s retirement party. Now I’ve got no one to ask.”

  “Sounds like a blessing to me. Those family deals are tough enough without dragging a woman along.”

  “Yeah,” Phil said, sarcasm dripping from his lips. “Must be hard to drag your ball and chain to family functions.”

  “I’m not talking about Kate.”

  “Hey, wait a minute.” The excitement in Phil’s voice had Margot inching down the hallway. “I could take Kate to meet my parents.”

  “My Kate? Are you smoking crack?”

  “I’d just borrow her for a few days,” Phil explained. “Nobody would be the wiser.”

  “If you seriously think I’d let you borrow my wife for a weekend, you’ve lost your mind. Besides, I’d like to see you explain away the baby.”

  “Nobody would have to know about the baby.”

  Danny chortled. “You haven’t seen her lately. She’s grown.”

  “She’s showing already?”

  “She’s seven months pregnant. According to her, it’s way past time.” Danny pulled a file out from under a pile on his desk. “Why did you tell your mom you’d bring someone home?”

  “I…” He wasn’t ready to tell Danny the reason and listen to the original macho man make fun of his girly ways. “She’s putting the pressure on big time for a wife and kids. I thought I’d dangle a girlfriend in front of her to shut her up for awhile.”

  “Dangling a living, breathing woman in her face won’t do anything but fan the flames.” He opened the file and began flipping through pages. “I don’t know why we’re talking about this. Find someone else. I’ve got work to do.”

  “Find someone else,” Phil grumbled as he exited Danny’s office and headed for his own. “Easy for you to say.”

  Margot scooted back to her desk and patted her fingers along the sleek surface with disgust. Phil had been planning to invite Kelly Bristow to meet his parents! My God, the man was losing touch with reality. She shouldn’t care; she shouldn’t feel like he’d shoved a knife right through her tender, open, bleeding heart. If Phil Williams could be duped by Echo High’s most notorious slut, then she’d wasted years of her life pining after a man with not one brain cell in his head.

  She stood up and straightened the neckline of her polyester blouse. Now seemed as good a time as any to announce her resignation. Certainly, Phil would be too upset over losing Kelly to care one way or another that his receptionist, the one woman in his life he could count on, was leaving for bigger and better. She felt a small pang of guilt for kicking him while he was down, but she shoved it aside as she repeated her new mantra. “My new life is just beginning,” she said under her breath as she made her way down the hallway toward his office.

  She smothered a scream as he bolted out of his door and nearly plowed her over in his hurry to leave. “Phil?” she asked his retreating back.

  “I’m taking off early today,” he said, lobbing the rubber ball that kept his fidgety hands busy back into his office. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “But…” she started, but didn’t finish her protest. “I needed to quit today,” she said to the door after he’d closed it in her face. Darn it, this was supposed to be the phase of her life where doors were opening, not slamming shut. She turned around and thought about resigning to Danny, but changed her mind when she heard him threatening a supplier that he’d look elsewhere for materials if they couldn’t deliver them on time. She’d never intended to speak to Danny about her plans to leave. He was hardly ever around and Phil was the one who ran the office.

  Darn it, her carefully laid plans to work her two week notice, take one week for intensive study for the NCLEX, and begin her job after passing the test were going up in smoke. She had half a mind to follow him to the driving range to quit, but she figured she’d never get past the security guard at the country club. Looked like she’d have to wait another day to start her new life.

  Chapter 3

  Phil couldn’t settle his mind on work any more than he could settle his hands as they tapped on the steering wheel along with the beat of George Strait. He’d switched from jazz to country when he needed the familiar sounds of home to help him think. Who could he take to Illinois to meet his parents? He never should have told his mom he’d bring a woman home. His kneejerk reaction to having to defend his sexuality had him backing himself into a corner.

  He knew he defined the term metro-sexual—and he hated that term. Yes, he loved clothes, he liked his hair styled, was known for his impeccable grooming, and had a borderline obsession with wine. So what? He was also a rabid basketball fan, a devoted runner, and he started his day with ESPN like every other red-blooded American male. He couldn’t stand the thought of his parents or anyone in his hometown thinking he was gay. So instead of taking it like a man and letting it roll off his shoulders, he’d hung himself out to dry by announcing he’d bring a date. Now if he showed up without one, which was highly likely, he’d look like a closet gay who couldn’t face the truth.

  Jesus, anyone who knew him knew he loved women. He loved everything about them. He loved them so much he’d never been able to settle for just one when so many were out there for the taking. Kelly had been a misstep—a big one. Her charm, her high dollar wardrobe, and her drive to succeed as a businesswoman had lulled him into thinking she was a woman of style. He’d been enjoying her company until she’d plastered her face along the highway like some ambulance chasing attorney out for a quick buck. In Phil’s mind, there was a very distinct line between networking and embarrassing pleas for business.

  He put Kelly out of his mind as he pulled into his driveway at the Flannery & Williams premier development, Interlude, and hopped out of the car. The place still smelled new, Phil thought as he opened the door and took the stairs two at a time toward his second floor master suite. Of course, why shouldn’t it smell new? He was hardly ever home and the lack of furnishings made it seem as if he’d just moved in, as opposed to having lived there for over a year.

  He carefully placed his custom-made work shirt into the dry cleaning bin and selected a sage green golf shirt with the Andover logo to accompany his khaki golf pants. He caught himself smiling as he reached for the designer belt he’d splurged on and then grumbled, “Doesn’t mean I’m gay. I like nice stuff.” He fastened the belt closed and walked out of the closet. “Damn it, now I’m talking to myself.”

  He brooded on the short drive to Andover and felt only slightly better as the guard waved him through and an eager attendant pulled his clubs from the trunk of his Mercedes.

  “You playing eighteen today, Mr. Williams?” he asked. “Got a beautiful afternoon ahead.”

  “Just the driving range for me, Kyle.” He needed a partner for golf and for the weekend at home.

  ***

 
When Kate Flannery walked into the office late in the afternoon, Margot was reminded of the first time she’d seen the stunning brunette. She’d come to interview Phil and Danny for Design & Build magazine and Phil had melted like butter on a hot biscuit when he’d gotten a look at her. Margot felt nauseous watching the scene unfold before her eyes until Danny came into sight, and Kate’s color had drained from her face when he walked by without looking up. That’s when Margot knew Phil didn’t have a prayer with the beautiful journalist who, unbeknownst to all, had had a prior relationship with Danny. And now, just over two years later, they were happily married and expecting a baby.

  “Hi, Margot,” Kate said as she turned to close the door.

  Margot got a full glimpse of her protruding belly and smiled. “You’re one of those annoying pregnant women.”

  Kate rubbed her mound like a proud mama. “Excuse me?”

  “I mean, you’re annoyingly skinny. It looks like you’ve shoved a basketball under your shirt.”

  “I’m eating like a horse and this is all I have to show for it. But I’m not complaining. At least I’m showing. For awhile there I thought I never would.”

  “You look wonderful,” Margot said.

  “I feel wonderful.” Kate placed some shopping bags on the couch in the waiting area and eased into the sea grass chair. “I love being pregnant. Oh, God,” she said and sat up straighter in the chair. “I am annoying.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re just happy.”

  Kate pushed herself up and waddled over to Kate’s desk. “You don’t look happy. What’s going on?”

  Margot sighed. Despite her continued pangs of jealousy for the woman who had it all, Margot had developed quite a liking for Kate. She’d talked to Kate about her plans before, but never with a timetable attached. “I came in today all psyched to quit, and Phil left for the afternoon before I got a chance to do it. I just want to get it over with.”

  “You’re quitting already?”

  “I’m done with my coursework. I’ve got one more test to pass—the big one—and I’m as good as hired at the hospital.”

  “Margot, that’s fantastic. I didn’t know you were so close to being done.”

  “It feels like it’s been forever. I’m excited, but change is hard.” She looked around the small waiting area. The warm chocolate walls and contemporary furniture provided a stark contrast to the industrial white of the hospital. “I’m ready to take the next step, but I have to quit first.”

  “Does Danny know?” Kate asked.

  Margot felt her cheeks heat. “No. I wanted to tell Phil first since he’s always around. I doubt Danny will care one way or the other.”

  “I wouldn’t say that, Margot. He’s said more than once he’s glad you’re around to keep the office in shape and Phil in line.”

  Margot snorted. “I don’t know about either of those things. Phil doesn’t even know I exist.” Whoops, she hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

  Kate placed her hand over Margot’s on the counter. “No luck there?”

  Fear and embarrassment swelled in Margot’s stomach as she jerked her hand away and straightened the papers on her desk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes, you do,” Kate said.

  It was the pity Margot saw in her eyes that kept her defenses in place. “Phil’s my boss. All I meant was that any warm body who can answer the phone, do a little computer graphics, and run some errands would fit the bill around here.”

  “Okay, if you want to deny what I’ve seen on your face every time I’ve been in this office, you can. Believe me, I understand the need to protect your heart.”

  “Kate, really…”

  “I’m done being annoying. I’ve embarrassed you, and I’m sorry.” She straightened and placed a hand on her lower back. “I came by to see if Danny can come to my appointment with me. Is he in?”

  Margot shook her head. “He just left.”

  “Shoot. I tried calling and it went straight to voicemail, which meant he was on the phone. I figured I’d take a shot.”

  “Are you feeling okay?” Margot asked.

  “Yeah, for the most part. I get tired easily and my back is really starting to ache.”

  Hummm. Constant back pain could indicate pre-term labor, but Margot thought it better not to stress the already anxious Kate. Besides, she was headed to the doctor. “Be sure to mention your symptoms to the doctor.”

  “Symptoms? Do you think something’s wrong?”

  “No,” Margot quickly backtracked. “But some people think telling the doctor how they feel is complaining. Doctors need to know exactly what the patient is experiencing in order to get a clear picture for diagnosis.”

  “Spoken like a nurse,” Kate said with a smile. She grabbed her bags and went out with a wave.

  Margot sat back in her chair and stared at the pencil sketches of completed Flannery & Williams projects along the wall. If Kate knew how Margot felt about Phil, everyone else probably knew also. Oh, God. Maybe Phil knew, too!

  She let her head slam onto the desk’s surface and vowed to quit first thing in the morning.

  ***

  Phil ordered a draft beer after his impossibly bad round of golf. He’d considered it fortuitous to find Dr. Randall McBain on the driving range and in need of a partner. Unfortunately, there was nothing fortuitous about losing fifty bucks and your pride in one fell swoop.

  “Drowning your sorrows?” McBain asked with impish grin on his ruddy face. The young doctor couldn’t help but rub salt in Phil’s wound.

  “Just putting a cap on a crappy day.” He set the frosty mug on a coaster and faced his regular Sunday golfing buddy. “I’d offer to buy you a drink, but you took all my money.”

  McBain settled at the bar next to Phil. “Good thing all you need is your signature.” He motioned for the barkeep. “I’ll have your special on draft.” He turned to face Phil. “So what happened today? Break some pencils? Color outside the lines?”

  McBain was infamous for his holier than thou attitude. No one’s work was more important than his, certainly not an architect’s. Even the architect designing the building for his medical practice. “Fuck off, McBain.”

  “Ouch, Phil. That hurts.” McBain laughed at his warped sense of humor. “Seriously, did you kill someone on the table today?”

  “Did you?”

  “Only if by killing you mean performing my most impressive breast augmentation.” He looked down at his outstretched fingers. “These hands are responsible for molding the now perfect figure of the world’s hottest college professor.”

  Phil popped a peanut in his mouth and then nearly choked as recognition hit. “Priscilla Prescott?”

  “You know I can’t divulge patient information.”

  The wicked gleam in his eye told Phil he’d hit the mark. “Danny used to date her.”

  Randall sneered. “I’m glad he’s off the market. He really skewed the odds for the rest of us.”

  Phil couldn’t get past the idea of Priscilla having surgery. “I thought her tits were real?”

  “My patient’s tits,” Randall gave an exaggerated wink, “were real. She wanted a lift and my reputation had made its way to her hallowed halls. I should get some sort of academic award.”

  Phil shook his head. “Is there anyone left on the island you haven’t nipped or tucked?”

  “Quite a few, actually.” He nodded to the bartender when he delivered his beer. “Business should be brisk for the next decade or so.”

  “I like them real,” Phil said before he thought better of getting into a conversation with Dr. Shallow about the merits of real vs. implants.

  “I appreciate the appeal of a natural rack,” Randall admitted. “At least on the young ones.”

  “I’d assumed you go for high and tight.”

  Randall shrugged and took a swig of beer, letting out a comical “Ahhhh” as it slid down his throat. “Nothing better than a cold beer after robbing you blind on t
he course.” He chomped on a handful of peanuts and pondered Phil’s question. “I’ve begun what I like to call a scientific case study.”

  “Is that so?” Phil asked. He recognized the sarcasm of Randall’s response.

  “I consider it research. Women want natural looking implants and there’s no better way to give them what they want than by…sampling the best of what nature provided.”

  “I’m constantly amazed at the lengths you’re willing to go to for your craft.”

  “Hey,” Randall said with a hearty smack on Phil’s shoulder. “Somebody’s gotta do it.”

  “And where do you find these natural beauties?”

  “The hospital, my dear boy, is chock full of young nurses. I’ve got my eye on one very tasty morsel right now.”

  “The hospital doesn’t frown on doctor-nurse relationships?”

  “The hospital doesn’t know about my relationships.” Randall looked appraisingly at the two women who sat next to him at the bar. “Besides, Maggie’s not at the hospital yet.”

  “Still in high school?” Phil asked.

  “Just done with nursing school. She’ll be on staff in a few weeks, assuming she passes her qualifying exam.”

  “Well then,” Phil raised his glass in toast, “here’s to Maggie passing her exam.”

  “Here, here,” Randall said with a devilish gleam in his eye.

  Poor Maggie didn’t know what she was in for.

  Chapter 4

  Phil sat staring out the window of his office while absently tossing his ball from hand to hand. His crappy night hadn’t gotten any better after two beers and dinner with Dr. Randy. His morning run hadn’t done much to cheer his mood one bit. Phil spent most of the night wondering how the egomaniacal doctor managed to lure young nurses into research when Phil couldn’t even come up with one woman to take home to meet his parents.

  Any woman he’d ever dated before was off the table. He wasn’t with them any more for a reason and he wasn’t about to cross back over a bridge once he’d moved to the other side. He couldn’t take a stranger or someone he’d known for only a little while because that would just be weird. The perfect solution was a woman friend—someone he could explain his reasons to who wouldn’t think he wanted more out of them than a weekend of pretense. The problem was he didn’t have any women friends.