Page 21 of More Than a Match

“Oh, Katie? Tell her I say hi!”

“No, not Katie.”

“Well, hello, mystery someone.”Shit. She’s trying to talk to Alex.How can I warn him? His voice echoes uncertainly up through my speaker.

“Hi.”

“Oh, it’s a man,” my mother coos. “How nice. You work with Mina?”

“Yes!” I quickly interject before Alex can reply. “We work together. He’s very nice.”

“Nice, eh?” She casts me a sly glance before returning her attention to my phone. “So, do you work in the surgery program as well, mystery man?”

“Oh, no ma’am, I—”

I cut Alex off again, quickly. “No, he’s not a surgeon. His work is mostly on patient floors, mainly the ICU and emergency admits.”

Mother looks at me, slightly disturbed, and mouths the words, “Is he anurse?” She clucks slightly disapprovingly, then murmurs, “Well, you could do worse.”

“Without Alex, the hospital wouldn’t function properly, and the patients wouldn’t get the care they deserve.”

“Oh, so he has a name!”

Thank god that’s the tidbit she latched onto, and also, shit.

“Yes, I’m Alex, nice to meet you, informally.”

I don’t interrupt him that time.

“Well, Alex, I hate to tear Mina away from what I’m sure is a very important conversation, but it’s time for dinner here, and we like to dine as a family. She will talk to you later.”

“Not a problem, I understand.”

“I’ll be right there, Mom. I can say goodbye on my own.” I shoo my mother out of the room, feeling like a teenager. “I’ll be there in a second.”

“Alright, alright, I’m going.”

I close the door behind her and whirl back to face my phone, exhaling deeply.

Alex’s voice comes through the phone, sounding extremely confused. “What the fuck was that all about?”

“My family wasn’t supposed to know about you.”

“Oh, am I some dirty little secret?”

“No, I just didn’t want them finding out like this. I still hadn’t figured out how to tell them I’m…”

“Dating?” he offers.

His reply leaves me breathless. “Is that what we’re doing here?”

“I’d like it to be, if you’re open to it.”

I run my fingers through my hair and sigh again. “I am, it’s just…”

“I get it, I get it. Overbearing family, crazy work hours, how will you fit a whole boyfriend in there?”

“That, and other things.”

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