Page 2 of Doctor's Surprise Bride

“This is Bride4u. Why wouldthehottest and most charming man in Port View be on a mail-order bride website?” she asks, eyes squinting at the screen for a second before they shoot to mine in horror. “Wait—Why areyouon a mail-order bride website?”

I look away and turn my focus back to the books we were supposed to be shelving. I run my fingers over the spines, ignoring Rayne and her judgmental stare, but she doesn’t take kindly to being ignored. She grabs my shoulder and turns me to face her so that she can try to glare me into submission. Even with her assertiveness, it’s not hard to shake her hold as I hurry to defend myself.

“There’s no way Ashton Ford would be on an app like this, Rayne. We both know that if the top surgeon of Port View wanted a wife, all he would have to do is snap his fingers. He’s got the world at his feet, drooling on him.”

Rayne’s face softens. “Daisy …”

“And before you say anything, I only joined it because I was curious. I read a book about mail-order brides and I interested in seeing if it actually works. Clearly, it doesn’t.”

As much as I want to, I can’t get myself to tell Rayne the truth. I can’t tell her that despite my constant assurance that I don’t care for dating, I’m actually lonely and want to find love. At twenty-four, I’ve never even so much as had a boyfriend. I tried a few dating apps once, but everyone on them is just looking for a quick hookup, while I’m looking to find my own Captain Wentworth. Someone who’d write me long soulful love letters and love only me for eight, ten or a hundred years to come.

I snatch my phone back from Rayne and tuck it back into my pocket, turning away to hide how mortified I feel. It’s one thing to sign up for a mail-order bride program, but it’s another to actually get catfished, and not even convincingly. Using Ashton Ford’s face to catfish is just lazy.

Rayne steps up beside me and leans against the shelf, her gaze not leaving me once as she says, “Ashton asked to meet you tonight …”

“It’s not him and I’m not going.”

“I’ll loan you my favorite red dress. I just know there’s a sexy body somewhere under that big sweater!”

“Rayne, I said I’m not—”

“Stop,” she scolds. “Just for a second, I want you imagine that the man that just messaged you is actually the hot doctor. That would mean he choseyouover hundreds of other women on the app, right?”

I close my eyes and let out a sigh. It just sounds so unlikely. Why would someone like him want me? He is older. He’s smart, handsome, charming, and well-established in his field. I bet he’s got amazing social skills, whereas I’m just an awkward librarian with strong social anxiety. I feel fresh wave of nerves rush through me at the thought of getting the attention of someone like Ashton.

“Do you really think I should go?” I ask in a small voice, afraid that my best friend will confirm how unsuitable I am for someone on Ashton’s level.

“Yes, I say you go on the date. If the man who just matched with you really is the same man that stars in the dreams of all the women in Port View, then you better show up.”

“If not …”

“Then I’ll have my shovel ready to dig a hole and hide a body.”

“Dig a—wait, why do you have shovel?”

“Whydon’tyou have a shovel?” Rayne smirks. “But, that’s not important right now. We have to get you dolled up and ready for this date.

I throw her a confused glance. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing now?”

“A lot but nothing that can’t be fixed by borrowing some clothes,” she scoffs, reaching out and removing my glasses. “Let’s start with losing the glasses.”

Chapter Two

Ashton

It’s not often that I feel the heaviness of my work but when I do, it comes with the same intensity as being hit by a truck. After spending thirty hours at the hospital, I’m nursing a headache and my eyes burn from staring at the screen all day. A workaholic like me should know when it’s time to stop but I can’t leave without going over my most recent patient’s medical history one more time.

As I scroll through the file, the letters grow blurry with every passing word that I read. Just as I’m about to take a break and grab more coffee, my phone starts ringing. I swear under my breath when I see my cousin’s name flash on the screen. I contemplate ignoring it and diving back into work, but I am convinced he’ll show up at the hospital to talk if I keep ignoring his calls.

“I’m busy, Marcus,” I say into my phone as I start to pack my things up. The coffee at the hospital is terrible anyway, so I might as well finish up the work at home.

“You’re always busy. I just called my favorite nurse and she told me you were still working. She also told me you’ve been there for close to two days. One would think you’re the only doctor at that hospital.”

“Why are you so interested in my schedule?”

“Because I’m your cousin andsomeonehas care about your well-being.”

“Try again.”

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