“Not exactly. It was more that she wanted reassurance about my intentions.”
“Oh, Gabe, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I told her she has nothing to worry about, and that’s true,” he said.
“Yeah. Pretty much guaranteed.” She glanced at Taylor, who was giving her acutely curious looks.
“But it gave me an idea,” he continued. “She needs to see that I’m a regular guy. And I need to introduce you to my family sooner rather than later. They know about our dinner and are starting to ask when they get to meet you.”
“Oh God—” The mere mention of meeting his family made her appetite disappear.
“Don’t panic,” he said reassuringly. “It was going to happen sometime so they know I’m not making you up.”
Some other time, maybe in the next century, would have been better. When she’d known him a little longer. “I don’t know about that.”
“It’s just Sunday dinner.”
“Who will be there?” she asked.
“Just my sister.”
The one who worked here at the hospital. “And?”
“My two brothers, one married with twins and another baby on the way. It’s a lot, but I think it would be good for Ava. She thinks I’m out of your league.”
“What? That little—”
“She’s just concerned.” There was amusement in his voice. “So, what do you think about you and Ava coming to Sunday dinner at my parents’?”
“You’ve thought this through? You really think it’s necessary?”
“Yes. Although if you don’t want to, I can show them photos of us. But meeting you in person will go a long way toward convincing them to stop fixing me up.”
Courtney thought for a moment and sighed. “Fair is fair. You had to face Ava. The least I can do is return the favor.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m confident you can handle it,” he said.
She wasn’t so sure about that. There were a lot of people in his family, but no guts no glory. “Okay. I’ll check with Ava. Unless she has serious problems with the idea, count us in.”
“Great. I’ll call you later to finalize the details. Sorry to bother you at lunch. Enjoy it. ’Bye.”
There was quiet on the other end of the phone, but one look at her friend’s face told her the silence at this table was about to end. There would be no enjoying lunch now. “So, that was Gabe.”
“And he is?”
“The hot guy Ava told that I couldn’t get a man. Gabriel Blackburne. He works at Make Me a Match. And tutors math at her high school. His best friend is head of the math department there.” And she forced herself to stop babbling before it looked as if she had something to hide.
“And why would Ava be warning him off? Are you going out with him?” And didn’t tell me, her friend’s slightly hurt tone said.
“Yes. No. Sort of.”
“What does that mean?” Taylor demanded. “And he had to face Ava, so you’re going to return the favor. What’s going on with you?”
Courtney was backed against the wall and conflicted. What else was new? She and Gabe had agreed that no one else could know the truth of their conspiracy because there was a big risk of it blowing up in their faces. But she told her friend everything and had since the first day they’d met. That’s what BFFs did. Not sharing was breaking a fundamental female friendship rule.
“How do I say this?” she started.
“Oh my gosh, you’re pregnant.” Taylor put one hand over her mouth.
“Dear God, no! Don’t even say something like that out loud.”
“You’re married? Eloped?”
“No.” Courtney put up a hand to stop the guessing when her friend started to talk again. “It’s nothing that exciting. And I’m telling you this under cone of silence. You cannot say a word about this to anyone. Especially Ava. Promise me.”
Taylor made a cross over her heart. “I swear on my future child’s life.”
“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Gabriel and I are fake dating.”
Taylor’s mouth shut for a moment. It didn’t last long. “You’re what now?”
“We are ‘going out.’” She put air quotes around the two words. “He’s a widower, and his well-intentioned but pushy family is on his case to get back out there. Once too often they threw a woman at him. Ember was the last straw.”
“Ember? Seriously?” Taylor smiled. “I’m getting a mental picture. One burning ember, and someone’s hair is on fire.”
“That’s not far from the truth. He just wants them to stop. And I told you what Ava did. She could have turned to the internet and ended up in a very bad place.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“So we commiserated about our shared family issues, and he came up with the idea to pretend to date so everyone will be happy.”
“Everyone but you and Gabe.”
“Well, he’s not hard to take, and that makes me happy.” His deep voice had sent tingles everywhere and made her hormones come to attention and salute. But she was keeping that detail to herself. And she’d been sort of eagerly anticipating their next “date.” But that was when she’d expected it to be just the two of them for a movie. Maybe dinner again. Not dinner with his family. An audience for their deception hadn’t occurred to her.
“What’s wrong?” Taylor asked. “Besides the fact that you’re fibbing to your child. Do as I say, not as I do. Are you going to put yourself on restriction?”
Courtney winced at the directness. “You’re right. I’m a hypocrite. But it seemed like a good idea at the time. And she will never know that it wasn’t ever real. We will ‘see’ each other for a while, then at a mutually agreed-upon time, we’ll break up. I’ll be disappointed that things didn’t work out, and so will he. That will buy us some time before they start in again.”
“Sounds like the plan isn’t quite working out, though,” Taylor said.
“She’s worried about him hurting me.”
“Ditto. But I always am. Why is she concerned and how does he know about it?”
Courtney explained about Gabe’s tutoring, his talk with Ava and her apprehension that he was out of her league. Since meeting his family was eventually part of the strategy, including Ava might relieve her anxiety. “The problem is that now I have to fake date, face-to-face, with his brothers, sister and parents.”
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave...” Taylor stopped and sipped her iced tea.
“Wrong thing, right reason,” she defended. “And I would appreciate it if you’d stop reminding me that I’m not telling the truth. You’re my friend, and I need you.”
“Okay.” Taylor was serious now. “What can I do?”
“This is a problem. It’s one thing to pretend with Ava for a few minutes and walk out the door to go to dinner. It’s his family. The people who know him best in the world. Even if I stick to the truth as much as possible, they’re liable to see right through me.”
The other woman tapped her lip thoughtfully for a moment. “Well, the way I see it, you have two choices.”
“I figured there was only one, so that’s an improvement.” Courtney took a breath. “Please continue.”
“You can brazen it out and hope for the best to keep your daughter from driving you to crazy town.” She paused for effect. “Or you can come clean.”
Courtney thought that over for several moments and shook her head. “Neither option is very good.”
“Talk it through,” Taylor encouraged.
“If I come clean, what kind of role model does that make me?”
“Wrong thing, right reason,” her friend reminded her. “I couldn’t resist teasing you, but I really do get that you’re doing it out of love for Ava.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “I’m glad you understand where I was coming f
rom.”
“And in support of faking it,” Taylor continued, “you said he’s hot, and it sounds like he’s charming. So how hard can pretending be?”
After dinner the other night, Courtney realized it wasn’t very darn hard. They’d had a good time. “I really hate having to do what I’m doing. But I suppose it’s my penance. If I hadn’t married a jerk, I would still be with him and Ava wouldn’t be so stubborn about this. She thinks I would be with someone now if it wasn’t for her and doesn’t want me to be alone when she goes to college in a couple years. I don’t think I ever realized how much that awful choice I made affected her.”
“And now you’re still paying the price.” Her friend’s voice was gentle.
“Big time.” There was no point in pretending otherwise. “And this was all Gabriel’s idea to keep his family from driving him to crazy town.”
“So you’re going to roll with the pretense?”
“Yes. I know this is going to sound ironic coming from a fraud like myself, but I gave him my word, and I need to hold up my end of this bargain. Except for the part where I spilled the beans to my best friend.”
Taylor studied her closely. “Is it possible you’re looking forward to this a little bit?”
“You’re not wrong. The truth is I like him, but he’s just a friend. That’s all.”
Every cloud had a silver lining, and spending time with Gabe was hers. She might as well enjoy the fun while it lasted. Hopefully dinner with his relatives would fall into the fun zone.
Chapter Seven
Gabe felt a little like a teenager again borrowing his dad’s car. His Mercedes was classic and sporty but not big enough to accommodate more than two people. For a loner like himself, that wasn’t a problem. For his current situation, it was. So he’d swapped with his dad and was now driving a small SUV. Plus, when he went to trade vehicles, he’d made sure there was no Ember to ambush him by warning his mom that there would be two more for dinner. It was last minute, but she always made enough food for a small country. And she was excited to meet Courtney and Ava.
He had insisted on picking them up because he knew how nervous Courtney was. After parking the car in front of her building, he walked up the gently curving sidewalk to her door, then knocked. While waiting he realized he was very much looking forward to seeing them. Both of them.
The door opened, and Ava stood there smiling. “Hi.”
“You look pretty.”
“Thanks.” She glanced down at her dark jeans and tugged at the hem of her pink T-shirt. “You think this is okay?”
“A little formal for my family,” he teased.
She looked unsure. “Should I change?”
“I was kidding. You look perfect.”
“Okay.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Come on in. Mom will be down in a minute. She’s obsessing about her appearance. Must be genetic.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“That’s what I told her.”
“It’s just my family,” he said.
“I told her that, too.” She shrugged. “Didn’t help.”
“She’ll find out when she gets there. And so will you. They’re going to love you both.”
Gabe wouldn’t worry about introducing Courtney to his family even if he had an emotional investment in this relationship. She was beautiful. Down-to-earth and fun. If he worried about anything, it was that his brother Dominic would make a move.
Jealousy sliced through him, just a quick flash of something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. But it got his attention. Odd that in his dating years he’d never worried about his brother hitting on women he brought home. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Dom was between relationships right now. Or the feeling could be about not wanting Courtney exposed to anything uncomfortable because he’d talked her into this agreement. It couldn’t be about any deep feelings since said agreement covered all of that. And he was being stupid. Dom was a stand-up guy. Gabe wasn’t even sure why the thought had crossed his mind.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” Ava asked.
“Is your mom going to be so long that I’m in danger of dehydrating while waiting?” As far as he was concerned, she could pull her hair into a ponytail and wear a burlap sack. She’d still be gorgeous.
“No. She’s ready,” Courtney said, on her way down the stairs. “And talking about herself in the third person. That’s how nervous she is.” When she stood in front of him, she wasn’t smiling.
But she was gorgeous. And that was an understatement. Her cream-colored sweater set, jeans and flats were the perfect meet-the-folks clothes. And she had pulled her hair into a ponytail, but it was a little off center, with a few curls loose around her face. Simple gold hoops in her ears completed the outfit.
“You look great,” he said.
“I hope you’re not lying.” She twisted her fingers together nervously. “It would be cruel to lead me on when you really think I look like something the cat yakked up.”
“I promise I’m being sincerely honest. My actual thought was that you’re wearing the absolute perfect meet-the-folks outfit. You look fantastic.”
“Now she’s just fishing for compliments,” Ava said. “Everyone loves you, Mom. Just be yourself.”
“I’d rather be anyone but me right now,” Courtney mumbled.
Gabe appreciated her honesty. He met her gaze and said, “Listen to the kid. She’s wise beyond her years.”
“Yes, she is.” Courtney looked at her daughter and nodded. “Shall we go?”
“I vote yes,” Ava said. “I can’t wait to see how we’re all going to fit in the Benz.”
“Way ahead of you, kid. I have taken care of that,” he said a little smugly. “Let’s roll.”
He walked outside with Ava while Courtney locked up. At the curb sat the practical little SUV. “I borrowed my dad’s car.”
Courtney’s teasing smile momentarily erased the nerves from her expression. “Like a teenager.”
“Kind of feels that way.” There was no mistaking the disappointment on Ava’s face. “I promise you a ride at another time,” Gabe told the girl.
“I’m going to hold you to that,” the teen said.
They got in, and he drove to his parents’ house, located about ten minutes away. There weren’t any other cars parked outside besides the Mercedes and cars that belonged to his mother and sister which meant that he was the first to arrive. Considering Courtney’s nerves, that was probably a good thing. She wouldn’t have to walk into a crowd of Blackburnes and feel as if they were all judging her.
Gabe led them up the walkway to the covered porch. He knocked once then opened the door. On Sunday it was always unlocked. “Hello.”
“Hey, Gabe.” His father met them in the entryway and held out his hand, then pulled him into a hug. Then he smiled at the two ladies. “This must be Courtney and Ava.”
“Yes.” He smiled at both of them and said, “This is my father, John Blackburne.”
Courtney shook his hand, and her own was trembling slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blackburne.”
“Please, call me John.”
Gabe looked at his father objectively, the way Courtney and Ava might. The man’s hair was silver and made him look distinguished. His blue eyes were friendly and glowed with approval. Nothing scary there.
“Come in. Let’s find your mother, Gabe.” He settled his hand lightly on Courtney’s back to walk beside her. “My son says you work at Huntington Hills Memorial Hospital.”
“Yes, sir. I’m a cardiac care nurse.”
“My daughter, Kelsey, works in the ER. And my son, Mason, is a doctor there.”
“Gabe mentioned that. It’s a big place. There are a lot of employees. I don’t think I’ve met either of them.”
“You will today.” At the end of
the hall, he turned left into the kitchen. “Look who’s here, honey.”
Flo was at the stove stirring a big pot of spaghetti sauce. At the island in the center of the room, Kelsey was cutting up vegetables for a salad. Both stopped working and looked at the newcomers.
“Mom, Kelse, I’d like you to meet Courtney Davidson and her daughter, Ava.”
With a fixed smile on her face, Courtney moved closer and held out her hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Blackburne.”
“That’s way too formal. It’s Florence. Or better yet, Flo.” She smiled at Ava. “Welcome. We’re so glad to have you.”
His sister finished slicing a cucumber. “You look familiar, Courtney.”
“So do you.” Her brows drew together in thought. “I don’t get down to the ER, but probably our paths have crossed in the cafeteria.”
“I’m sure that’s it.” Kelsey nodded. “If I wasn’t working in emergency, my second choice would be the cardiac observation unit. I like the challenge and keeping busy.”
“Me, too.”
“We sent a patient up to your unit the other day. An older man, retired. Tall with a quirky sense of humor.”
“I know who you mean.” Courtney smiled.
“How’s he doing?”
“Pretty well.” She looked apologetic. “I can’t say more because of privacy issues.”
“I get it,” his sister assured her.
“Physically he keeps himself in shape, so that worked in his favor. The doctor admitted him for observation out of an abundance of caution.”
“That’s good.” Kelsey tossed lettuce and vegetables together in a big bowl. “I’m sure you feel it up in the unit, too, but there are just certain patients I connect with instantly.”
Courtney nodded. “I know what you mean.”
“How old are you, Ava?” his mother asked.
“Fourteen. I’m a freshman at Huntington Hills.”
“Gabriel tutors math there,” his dad interjected.
“I know.” The teen smiled shyly. “I’ve seen him at school.”
“How did you and Courtney meet?” Flo asked him.
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