However . . .
“Name your price.”
“What?”
“Your price. I’ll give you anything.”
Anything? This could be amusing.
He was such a cold fish, and she wanted to be reckless. This was her chance to rattle the guy and have fun while doing it.
“I’ll think about it.”
“About the plan or what you want from this charade?”
“When a man offers me anything I want, I need a little time to think.”
His brows drew together and his face darkened like thunder.
The arrogant jerk deserved every stinking niggle.
~ ~ ~
“Wait a minute. You’re what?”
Sandi knew the minute she told Regina about going out with Doug, the bloodhound in her friend would come out. Regina was nobody’s fool. She could get the truth out of anyone, and when she started on Sandi, it was like the third degree.
Doug wanted to put his plan in motion immediately. But Sandi knew she had to tell Regina. She’d expect it. They told each other everything. On the way to the real estate office, Sandi stopped by Regina’s bakery. She would want to know why Sandi hadn’t called last evening as soon as Doug asked her on a date, but it took the entire night for her to take in what she’d done and come up with a reasonable explanation.
She took a deep breath. She had to be strong.
Why the hell had she agreed?
“Doug asked me out, and I accepted.”
“Thought you didn’t like him,” Regina threw over her shoulder as she turned a dial on her oven.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like him—”
“Yes you did.” Regina spun around, flashing those condemning eyes that made Sandi cringe with guilt.
Shit.
“He’s so confusing.” She’d been going over what she would say, but suddenly her mind went blank, and she grasped at reasons for her sudden emotional turnaround. “He’s rude to me, but then he can be nice.” Hell. That sounded lame, even to her. “He gets me fired up.” Her mouth was spouting nonsense.
“Oooo.” Regina smirked. “In the middle of all that frustration, you really want to jump his bones, don’t you?”
Sandi choked and spurted her coffee. Good thing she had barely taken more than a sip.
“Is that all you think about?” Sandi asked, wiping up the mess.
“Admit it. You think he’s hot,” Regina said, crawling up on the stool beside her. “Who wouldn’t want to throw down the man and have their way with him?”
“Oh! Hi, Sheldon,” Sandi said, looking over Regina’s shoulder to the doorway leading to the front of the bakery. This time Regina was the one who choked, then she spun around to find empty space.
“You gave me a heart attack,” she said, imitating anger.
“Then you shouldn’t be talking about having your way with a man other than Sheldon.”
“You’ve got to admit . . .” Regina wiggled her eyebrows.
“Do you ever stop? I have a date. D A T E. Date.”
“Told you those sparks flying between you two were arousal. Who’s to say what might happen?” Regina gave one of her mocking innocent shrugs. Sandi rolled her eyes.
“You know I love you, but you’ve got to stop trying to run my love life.”
“What love life? You haven’t had one in quite a while.”
“By my own choice.”
“Now, by your own choice, you might actually have one.” Regina mocked. When Sandi gave her an accusing glare, Regina held up her hands. “Just saying.”
“Don’t read anything into it. I’m not saying he’s the one. We’re going to dinner.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Then we have time to buy you a new dress!” Her excitement and enthusiasm was contagious, until Sandi remembered the bargain.
“Regina. I’m not buying a new dress.”
“Why not? When was the last time you bought something new?”
“I don’t go anywhere but work. We live in the mountains.”
“That doesn’t mean you should go around looking like a slob.”
Sandi slammed down her mug. “I do not!”
“Of, course you don’t. That’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?”
“Come on, Sandi. We could have a girl’s evening out and go shopping!”
“It’s just a date. Doug and I have already met and been to your house for dinner. There’s no reason to try to impress him.”
No reason at all.
Doug initiated a bargain. And not because he liked her. They would be seen in public together. Big deal. It wouldn’t even be a real date.
She’d known she had to be careful around Regina. God, she hated lying to her friend.
Chapter 10
The women in the office had a hankering for Krispy Kreme. Doug had promised to get donuts for them on his way to the clinic. He dared not disappoint. Those women ran the clinic with a perception that demonstrated their experience and capability. He and Sheldon were damn lucky to have them.
He spotted a Starbucks and thanked his luck. Just as he was about to cross the street, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the screen. A text message from Molly. His first patient of the day cancelled, so he had plenty of time.
In Pittsburg he’d have whipped a ten dollar bill out of his pocket without hesitation, never once considering the price for a coffee too high. In this little town, seeing the famous logo surprised him. Although, Starbucks was a name known everywhere. Too bad he hadn’t invested in the company before the franchise got off the ground.
This evening he’d be taking Sandi to dinner at a restaurant. A date. If you wanted to call it that. What better way to get the word out than to have the town see him and Sandi together? The first of many public appearances in order to get the blasted Sharon Talbert off his back.
On his way to get a coffee, he passed a flower shop. He supposed he should give his date flowers. Backtracking, he pushed on the door only to find it locked. Seeing the hours on the door, he glanced at his watch. Thirty minutes before the store opened.
A woman behind the counter saw him, waved, then came and unlocked the door. A bell tingled from overhead. Her eyes squinted against the bright light of the sun.
“Good morning. Since I’m here, I don’t mind if you come inside.”
Doug flashed her a grin. Brunette, amber eyes, dark lipstick on full lips; his belly stirred in appreciation.
“Thank you. I’m on my way to the office and noticed your store.”
“Oh? Where do you work?”
Here it comes.
“I’m a doctor. I joined Sheldon Hatcher’s practice.”
Her eyes lit up just like he knew they would. Then she batted those long eyelashes and stuck her small chest out. Another woman thinking she could take a big chunk of his hard-earned profession.
“My name is Wanille. I’d be happy to help you.”
I bet you would.
“Maybe you can tell me what flowers to get other than roses.” Red roses resembled love. No way would Sandi get red.
“Of course, Doctor . . .”
“Baker. Douglas Baker.” Might as well get the name right out there. She’d learn quickly that he was not available. He already had one too many barracudas to deal with. This bargain would save him more than he’d originally thought.
“Well, Douglas,” she spoke in a breathy voice. “If you tell me what the flowers are for, the occasion, I’m sure we can find the perfect arrangement.”
Women.
“They’re for a special lady I’m currently seeing. She loves flowers, but since we’ve just started dating”—he wanted to add e
xclusively, but thought it might be a tad overkill—“I thought a dozen red roses might be too soon.”
Her mouth formed a little “O.” Seeing disappointment in her expression, he checked out her ring finger. No ring. Yep. He’d dodged that bullet.
He stepped to a set of glass doors, giving the sales lady a chance to recover. Dozens and dozens of flowers were housed inside. It was a refrigerator of some sort that kept flowers cool, as he supposed it helped the blooms last longer.
“These are pretty.” He didn’t have a clue what he was looking at. Before, when he wanted to give a woman flowers, he simply called a florist and ordered over the phone. He never picked them out himself.
“Does you lady friend have a favorite color?” the brunette asked stepping up beside him.
He smiled at her ingenuity. Like most women, she was dying to know the name of the woman who these flowers were for. Why not tell her? Gossip had a way of spreading like wildfire, and if he had to guess, a florist would be a great resource for spreading the word. Couldn’t hurt.
“Sandi’s favorite color—”
Wanille’s gasp stopped him from saying anything else.
“Sandi Jones?”
He tried not to smirk. “Why, yes. Do you know her?”
“Of course. I’ve worked on several projects with her where I provided the flowers, and she and Regina did the catering.”
Didn’t Sandi work in a real estate office?
“Regina’s cakes are the absolute best.”
Doug would have to agree. The woman sure knew how to cook. But Sandi? He remembered how Regina and Sheldon kept singing her praises at their blind date dinner.
“I didn’t know Sandi helped Regina in her bakery.”
Shit. He shouldn’t have said that. Sandi was supposed to be his girlfriend. But then, a guy wouldn’t know everything about a woman until after a few dates. Right?
“Oh.” Wanille waved a hand. “She just helps Regina set up. She’s helped me a few times, too. I know her favorite color.” Wanille hurried to the next set of glass doors. “I don’t have any blue flowers.”
Blue? He would have said pink. Didn’t all females like pink?
“You’re right about red roses. But roses are beautiful. I don’t normally spray them, they’re so delicate. Maybe if I just did the tips.”
What the hell was she yammering about?
“Yes, red roses send a definite message. But blue . . .” she sighed.
The woman flitted about the shop like a bee buzzing around a flower bed. His phone buzzed in his pocket.
“Molly: Don’t forget the donuts.”
Evidently, he was taking too long.
Silence.
He looked up. The brunette lifted an eyebrow.
“I’m sorry.” He started to explain that he wasn’t paying attention, but she cut him off.
“I’d go with the vase.”
He shrugged, guessing she answered her own question.
“If you send a box, she’ll have to cut the stems and put the flowers in one anyway. Same thing if you show up with a bouquet. I’ll make a nice arrangement for you, and Sandi won’t need to do a thing but enjoy them.”
Knock yourself out, lady.
“Sandi is a wonderful person. Shame. Her living all alone in that house . . .” The brunette’s voice droned on as she wandered to the back.
Regina and Sheldon thought Sandi was pretty special, too. He had to admit she was a looker. Stunning. Until she turned those blue eyes to ice.
He wandered around the shop taking in the many floral arrangements. How could a person stand breathing in all these allergy irritants? Not to mention the overwhelming sensation of being dipped into a perfume bottle. He would take care of business and get out of here.
“Well? What do you think?”
He stared at the most unusual creation he’d ever seen. Now he knew what she meant by spray.
White roses, with a hint of blue escalating to a darker blue on the tips of the petals. Tiny white bubbly things—some sort of flower—mixed in with green ferns, and glitter scattered over a blue ribbon curled into a stylish bow.
Wow.
He pulled his wallet form his pocket, pulled out his credit card and stalled.
Buying flowers gave a female the idea a guy cared. Would Sandi have the same reaction he did? Surely she would jump to conclusions like any other woman. His finger on the plastic, he hesitated. If he did this, he’d just have to explain it was a benefit that went along with their arrangement. Of course, he’d have to send them to her place of employment. No one would know if he sent them to her home.
Wanille held her hand out, palm up. He gave her his card, finalizing the purchase.
“She’s a lucky girl.”
He hurried from the shop and strode around the corner. The flowers in one hand, he braced himself against a brick wall with the other.
What the hell am I doing?
Where had the damn impulse come from? He couldn’t have Sandi getting the wrong idea.
A dumpster stared him in the face. On instinct, he tossed the roses inside and slammed the lid. Getting his bearings, he walked back to where he’d parked his car.
Again, his phone juddered in his pocket.
He’d forgotten the damn donuts.
~ ~ ~
An hour passed with Doug unable to get his rash actions out of his mind. What the hell possessed him? First, he’d purchased flowers. No big deal. Flowers. So what? A tactic. Nothing more. He’d made it into something more by analyzing, reading too much into the ploy. Then he’d thrown the damn things away.
He scrubbed a hand over the scruff on his face. It was the perfect set up, the perfect opportunity to get the rumor mill operating on full throttle. All he had to do was give them to Sandi and explain why he bought them.
The problem? He’d wanted to buy them. For her. Then when he saw how beautiful they were, his heart did a little flutter. He couldn’t take a chance she might distinguish the reason behind the thoughtful act.
Was that the big problem? Oh no.
Gossip would spread. Everyone would know he’d purchased flowers. For Sandi. What would happen when Sandi did not get the flowers? With only one shop in this town, he couldn’t order more.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
When did he become a complete moron?
Now he had to make an excuse. Good luck coming up with a good one.
He smacked a folder down on his desk. How fast did the gossip mill travel in this town? He’d given the florist Sandi’s name. He wanted the word to spread. He had not considered the word spreading to Sandi before she got the nonexistent floral arrangement.
A rap sounded on his office door.
“Yes?”
“Your next patient is ready.”
He opened the door. “Thank you, Darlene.”
She stood there with a shit-eating grin on her face. Now what?
“Anything else?”
“Naw. Now I know why it took so long for you to deliver the donuts,” she said with a parting shot, striding down the hallway.
Fuck.
Chapter 11
Sandi pulled her hair back in a ponytail, then twisted it into a messy knot. She grabbed a brown sweater, pulled it on and down over her butt, checking herself out in the mirror. Not very becoming for a date with the handsome doctor, but she didn’t care to impress him anyway. She wasn’t sure she could.
Still, if Regina saw her, she’d be full of questions. This outfit screamed dull and certainly would not compete with the widow Talbert. That woman thought she was still a teenager, wearing skirts shorter and tighter than Sandi would wear.
Maybe she should wear a dress. Blue being her favorite color, the royal-blue dress
caught her attention. The clingy material hugged her breasts and thighs—way too sexy to waste on the arrogant doctor. She definitely did not want to send the wrong message. Digging in her closet, she found a dark-pink flowy top that would go great with a pair of leggings.
Perfect.
La Italia was one of the hot restaurants downtown. With two levels and an air of Italy, customers flocked to the posh environment. The hostess had been expecting her. She led Sandi up the wide carpeted stairs to a landing with lots of live plants and hanging vines, then up another set of stairs to a large dining room with sparkling chandeliers and a table where Doug sat waiting. White teeth sparkled in an amazing smile as he rose to greet her. He was so devastatingly handsome in his suit with his blond wavy hair, her heart did a little flip. She had to remind herself why she was here.
“You look beautiful.” He’d said it loud enough for everyone to hear. Curious, she narrowed her eyes, studying him. He was one hell of an actor.
“Thank you,” she said, making sure her tone was strictly unemotional. The same tone she used with the bunch of players at her office.
His gaze faltered, but his lips stayed straight, as if he was forcing his pleased expression. She couldn’t say if it remained as he stood behind her, holding her chair. The man was capable of playing the part of gentleman to perfection, so why was he an arrogant ass to her?
He sat down, those deep-brown eyes penetrating. She glanced away, not willing to give any answers he might be seeking. This was a pretend date, after all.
A young man poured wine, took their order and left. Doug lifted his wine and took a hefty gulp as if he needed it.
“Bad day?”
“I have something to tell you.”
Must be a doozy. She gave him one of her sexy smiles. “Should I sit here, pretending you’re whispering sweet nothings?”
“That would be a good idea.”
She kept her smile pasted on her face and prepared for the shock she knew was coming. Hell, they were pretending. It couldn’t be but so bad.
The Doctor's Bargain Page 9
