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I’m so lost in my erotic memories that I jump when the door opens.
I was sitting with my back to the entrance, so I stand automatically, thinking it’s Athanasios or a nurse sent to tell me what to do. I’m surprised to see it’s a woman. By her appearance, she seems to be a doctor too.
Her hair is cut into a shoulder-length bob, she’s slim and tall, and I estimate she’s over thirty.
"Hello," I greet her. "Athanasios isn’t here."
"I know. It’s you I wanted to talk to."
I look at her, certain she’s confusing me with someone else. "I’m not a patient. I’m . . .”
She looks me up and down. "I know who you are, Brooklyn: the woman who came to mess up my life. A usurper who stole my boyfriend."
"What?"
"I’m Dr. Febe Georgiou."
"I don’t understand," I say, trying to stay calm but feeling irritation rise within me.
This woman just called me a usurper!
Was she his girlfriend?
"You will understand. My family and Athanasios’s have known each other our whole lives."
"And?" I ask, throwing manners out the window.
"We were supposed to get married. That was the plan."
I feel like laughing. I can recognize a jealous woman when I see one, and this one isn’t even trying to hide her bitterness.
"Really? Does he know about this?" I ask sarcastically, because from what I know of my boyfriend, he’s not the type to sit around waiting for things to happen. If they’ve known each other their whole lives, as she claims, and Athanasios were interested in marrying her, he would’ve made a move by now.
"Don’t be insolent. Of course he knew. But men need to have their fun before they commit."
My smile widens.
Yep, this one’s really delusional.
Brooklyn
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
"Look,I don’t know who you are. And judging by this little 'conversation' we’ve had, I don’t feel like finding out. I’m in my boyfriend’s office, waiting for him, and from what I know of him, he’s not going to like hearing that you’re talking all this nonsense to me."
"Nonsense? The only one playing the fool here is you. Do you know why he’s courting you?"
"A million different answers are running through my head right now, but I’m not one to share my private life," I say, giving her a wink, fully intending to irritate her just as she’s done to me. "Besides, the word 'courting' has been out of use for at least half a century. He’s not courting me. Our interest in each other is mutual, and we’ve chosen to get to know each other."
"But the word is perfect. He’s courting you for a marriage of convenience. I overheard him talking to William and L.J. right here in this office."
I know I shouldn’t believe anything this crazy woman says, but the problem is, I also don’t understand why a man like himis with me when he could have any woman he wants. And so, insecurity—my old companion—starts to creep into my heart.
Still, I’m not about to let this idiot see that. "A marriage of convenience? Athanasios? I don’t think so. Besides, you’re getting ahead of yourself, sweetheart. We’ve only just started dating."
"If you think a man like him does anything without a plan, you’re more foolish than I thought. Athanasios is Greek and wants a family. He can’t have children; that’s why he’s replaced me with you."
"What?"