Page 4 of What the Doctor Ordered

S imon

“Remind me one more time why I’m here?”

I glanced over at my colleague and friend, Dr. Theo Raines.

Theo and I met in medical school. We shared a dorm room, so I supposed it wasn’t too surprising that we had grown accustomed to each other and, over time, had become close friends.

I believed that a lot of people found me intimidating and so just naturally gave me a wide berth, but Theo didn’t seem to care that I could be overly stoic at times.

Straightening my black button-up as Theo and I walked up to Onyx, I gave my friend a sidelong look. “It’s a wonder that you were able to pass medical school with your poor memory,” I retorted. “You’re here because of an unfortunate stipulation overlooked by my father, as you may recall.”

Theo pursed his lips. “And are you positive that your father overlooked it?”

I glanced over at him, surprised by his words. “Exactly what are you insinuating?” I asked, my voice dropping dangerously.

“I’m merely making an observation based on what you’ve told me,” he stated calmly.

“That my father put this stipulation in the will on purpose?” I asked, feeling my eyebrows rise up my forehead.

“I believe your mother said what we’re all thinking,” Theo went on. “That we can’t know for certain anymore. I do believe it’s worth noting though if you are hoping to fulfill your father’s wishes.”

“My mother is the one who wishes I was married,” I said tersely. “Father was much more interested in me continuing his legacy, which I have every intention of doing. For now, I just need to find a woman who would be willing to pose as my fiancée.”

“So, what you’re saying is that I’m your wingman,” Theo deadpanned.

I smirked at him. “Essentially, yes.”

Theo let out a breath, running his hand through his dark hair. “There has to be a better way to deal with it.”

That was probably another reason why Theo and I were friends.

He very rarely put up with my bullshit and he told me exactly what he thought of my actions.

He kept me realistic, made me look at myself honestly, and I wouldn’t admit it to his face, but he helped me get perspective on things on multiple occasions.

“If you think of one, you are free to let me know,” I told him. I nodded to the bouncer, who gave me a polite nod back before we pushed through the doors of the club.

Theo and I discovered Onyx back when we were in med school. It wasn’t far from our university, and it was the perfect place to unwind after a particularly grueling day. Since then, we had both become VIP members of the club, and it was still a favorite hangout of ours to this day.

“Alright, what poor soul are we trying to pair you up with?” Theo asked dryly as the two of us started to look around.

I knew my sarcastic friend was joking, but it was still a valid question.

I wasn’t entirely sure what I was looking for in a fake fiancée.

She needed to at least be agreeable. She would have to be extremely so to agree to this kind of deal.

I looked at Theo and raised my palms to the ceiling with a shrug.

“So, what’s the plan then?” Theo asked. “Are you just going to go up to some random woman and ask if she’ll pretend to want to marry you?”

“I know that you’re joking,” I said curtly. “But yes, that is basically the plan. Once again, unless you can come up with a better one.”

“Not one that doesn’t involve extortion,” Theo said flatly.

We wandered further into the club, looking around and squinting through the dim lighting. There were hundreds of people here since it was a Friday and that was usually the busiest night of the week for this place. Surely, at least one of these women would be willing to play the part for me.

“What about that one?” Theo asked, gesturing ahead of me. “She looks like she’s alone.”

I followed his gaze to a blonde girl who was leaning against the bar. She was tall and was wearing a sleeveless red dress.

I frowned as I looked at her. “Not really my type,” I said.

Theo gave me an exasperated look. “Does that really matter if this is only going to be a temporary setup?” he asked.

I saw his point, but I still needed to be somewhat compatible with the girl who would pretend she was going to marry me. “Well, even if we aren’t going to be together long, I’m still going to be working with this woman. We’ll have to be seen together. We need to at least get along.”

“You might get along with that one,” Theo pointed out. “How are you going to know if you don’t even stop to talk to her?”

I looked over at the blonde again to find that she was currently shaking her finger at the poor bartender on the other side, her bright red lips twisted into a sneer. I winced. “Well, sometimes you just know.”

Theo followed my gaze and flinched as well. “Yeah, maybe that one isn’t quite your type.”

We decided to have a couple of drinks, which was perfect since I was a little on edge and needed something to calm my nerves.

I didn’t want to overthink this. I sipped a single malt scotch as I scanned the dance floor.

There seemed to be a lot more couples than normal tonight. That did not bode well for me.

Thankfully, it was only a matter of time before I was approached. As a VIP member, I was well known at this club, and my father had quite the reputation as well. The attention from random women was usually unappealing to me but it was playing in my favor now due to my current circumstances.

“I have a proposal for you,” I said to a young woman named Anne who I was getting to know.

Her dark eyes shone brightly. “And what would that be?” she asked, batting her eyelashes up at me.

“Due to circumstances out of my control, I need a woman to pose as my fiancée,” I said.

Anne’s jaw dropped and her face turned red, her eyes narrowing before my cheek stung as she slapped me. I looked after her in bewilderment, holding my face as it throbbed.

Theo whistled low before appearing at my side. “That was really painful to watch,” he said. “Perhaps you should get to know the women a little more before you pop the distasteful question.”

This wasn’t working out the way I had hoped. I let out a long breath. “I just don’t understand,” I said. “I’m offering these women a handsome amount of money for their trouble.”

“You’re looking in the wrong crowd probably,” Theo said. “Most of the women who come here come from wealthy backgrounds and aren’t in need of money. It’s most likely just an insult to them when you offer to pay them for something like this. They want a real romance, not a business deal.”

“Who made you an expert?” I grumbled but I knew that he was right.

Maybe we needed to try a different venue.

“Simon,” Theo suddenly intoned, his voice growing dark and low as he stared at something over my shoulder.

I turned slowly, spotting Kramer Bennett across the dance floor.

He was grinning widely, his fingers laced with those of a pretty, young, redheaded woman.

My eyes narrowed as I watched the two. Kramer was one of the board members and was also very open about the fact that he was after my father’s company.

My eyebrows flew upward when Kramer took the woman in his arms and started to lead her in a dance.

He pushed his hips against hers and she blushed brightly, looking away from him with her lips tightening.

It was obvious to me that she didn’t know Kramer very well.

The entire scene reeked of a first date that might be edging into uncomfortable territory.

This girl clearly had no idea who she was dealing with. A strange, powerful sense of justice filled me since I knew very well that Kramer had a wife at home.

“That bastard,” Theo spat, obviously realizing the same thing as he watched the two from across the club.

I couldn’t stand by and just watch as this poor woman fell for a jerk like Kramer. I started to make my way over to them.

“What are you doing?” Theo hissed as he followed after me.

“I can’t just watch and do nothing,” I said between my teeth. “Look at that girl. She’s practically drooling over the fucker.”

“And just what are you planning to do about it?” Theo demanded.

I didn’t answer, my eyes trained on Kramer and the girl who was unfortunate enough to fall for his Prince Charming act.

The redhead was smiling up at Kramer as he pulled her closer.

My whole body bristled at the way Kramer’s fingers tightened on her waist. It was as if he was claiming her even though he was very much married.

“Good evening,” I said, stepping up to them.

Kramer stiffened and looked over his shoulder at me. His eyes flashed with disdain, but he forced a smile onto his face. “Good evening, Dr. Vale. I trust that you are enjoying yourself tonight.”

I narrowed my eyes, immediately irked by his tone. “I am, thank you,” I said tightly. I gestured to the woman at his side, who was watching me with curious green eyes. “I don’t believe I’ve met your friend. Is she acquainted with your wife?”

The girl’s eyes rounded in shock at my words.

Kramer’s eyes flashed with fury. He spoke through his teeth. “You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he spat, putting an arm around the girl. “You are being rude in front of my date.”

I opened my mouth to retort but the woman cut me off, looking up at Kramer with wide eyes. “Is it true, Kramer?” she asked, her soft voice tight. “Are you really married?”

I felt a sliver of regret for saying anything. The girl sounded legitimately hurt. I actually felt sympathy twisting my gut as I focused on her shimmering green eyes and trembling lower lip.

Kramer shifted his glower onto her. “You’re really going to trust this guy over me?” he demanded, very obviously dodging the question. “I should have guessed that you were just a distrustful little slut. I should have known with all the prying questions you asked me.”

My temper flared and red started to tinge my peripheral vision. “Don’t talk about her that way,” I commanded, stepping forward threateningly.

“This has nothing to do with you, Vale,” Kramer snarled, glaring daggers at me.

“You made it my business,” I countered, getting right in his face. “I won’t stand by and do nothing while you disrespect women.”

Kramer sneered. “Well, aren’t you righteous,” he said sarcastically. “Just mind your own business, Vale. Although, I suppose soon enough, I’ll be the one managing it.”

The red overtook my vision altogether and, before I knew what was happening, my fist flew through the air and connected with Kramer’s jaw, causing his head to snap back. He snarled at me and lunged but I was able to duck away from him. That was when security showed up.

“What the hell is going on here?” Carl, one of the bouncer’s demanded, getting between us and shoving us both in the chest and away from each other.

Kramer’s whole countenance screamed rage, but even he knew better than to lash out while authorities were present. We were both VIP members and it was unlikely that we would get in any real trouble, but we still had reputations to uphold.

Kramer glared at me one more time before tearing his eyes away and stalking out of the club.

“Should I send someone after him, sir?” Carl asked me.

I shook my head. “That’s alright, Carl,” I said, waving a dismissive hand. “Kramer was just being his normal, disagreeable self. I believe we have things under control now.”

Carl nodded and worked on getting the crowd that had formed around us to disperse.

“Did you really have to go and punch the guy?” Theo asked, coming up to stand beside me. “Bennett already hates you and is after your father’s company. Is it really wise to anger him further?”

“This had nothing to do with the company,” I retorted.

Well, it didn’t at first. Kramer was the one who brought it up. Before then, I had just been concerned about the girl he had been clearly stringing along. My head shot up when I remembered the girl.

“Where did she go?” I demanded, looking around, my eyes scanning the dance floor.

“That poor girl looked scared out of her mind,” Theo said, gesturing far ahead of us. “She’s almost out the door already.”

I followed Theo’s gaze to the small figure who was hurrying toward the front of the club. She was easy to spot with her flaming red hair. Something about her struck me and before I knew what I was doing, I was hurrying after her.

“Remind me to refuse to be your wingman next time,” Theo called after me as I pushed through the crowd.