Page 15 of Paging Dr. Breakup
“Sorry?” Something in that wide-eyed expression… he couldn’t stop staring.
“We need to act like we’re dating.”
“Not while we’re working,” she interjected.
“We can be casual and friendly at work. Appropriate. Nothing overt. But we can make it look good in other venues. How about PG-rated PDA during those two dates a week?”
“Define PG-rated.”
For a solid ten seconds, he could only come up with R-rated or higher examples that made him want to lick and nibble her neck and lips. He wanted to kiss and paw at her like the voracious non-boyfriend he was.
He shook his head, trying to loosen those ideas. “We will proceed as though we’ve never dated anyone before, ever. Start with gazes, handholding, and hugs. We can consider a public kiss in the moment, if we agree on it and if we need a witness.”
“For the sake of pretense.”
“Of course.”
“I can get on board with that.”
Cal couldn’t. Proximity to Deirdre was dangerous. Period.
She leaned forward, providing a hint of shadow between her breasts that tempted him to imagine more. “Topics of dating conversation?” she asked. “Are there any relationship progress benchmarks we need to achieve? Metrics?”
“You’re such an administrator. Next you’ll want me to use evidence-based communication in fake-dating.” He went still and stared at her.
Deirdre’s eyes glinted. “Don’t worry. We won’t use AIDET customer service training in our dating life!”
“Really? Could be fun.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, deep in contemplation. “All right. Appearances count more than anything. Given that we’re not in this for the long haul, I vote no deep topics. No probing questions.”
“Light and breezy sounds great to me!”
“Then we break up after the festival with no hard feelings, and I return to my regular life in Seattle. You go on about your business, secure in the fact that you both satisfied and thwarted the devious local matchmakers.” His stomach clenched.
The frown and droop to her lips lasted a split second.
This was what they both wanted. Wasn’t it?
“Works for me.” It was impressive how Deirdre had mastered the art of remaining objective and neutral.
Cal hoped he also had that skill right about now. “Do we shake on it or… hug on it?” He stood up when she did.
Deirdre seemed to freeze for a moment, her hands gripping the edge of the table. After a pause, she said, “Well, we have to start somewhere.”
“How about we practice the PG-rated PDA?” Cal extended his arms to the side.
Deirdre took a few steps to meet him, sliding her arms around him with such a light touch, that at first, he questioned whether she even made contact. He put his arms around her. Tender. Friendly. His heartrate spiked. The gentle press of her frame that tucked perfectly against his shifted something in his brain. They fit too well.
He inhaled deeply her light floral and crisp linen scent. Some things never changed.
Every muscle in his body relaxed. Her presence did that to him.
Damn it, this could turn out to be a terrible decision.
Chapter Seven
The next Mondayafternoon, Deirdre dragged herself through work. She trudged down the hall from labor and delivery past med-surg and headed toward the ED, cafeteria, and then admin. Even her bones ached. Too many meetings today, too many emails.
Too much work at the lodge this past weekend. Mav’s plan to host the guests had imploded when one of the EMTs called out sick. Exit Mav.
