by Eva Luxe
She slumps down in her chair.
“That’s pretty all-encompassing. And hard to prove. Physical or romantic? How would they even know about ‘romantic’?”
“Wait,” I tell her, squinting to make out the words on the screen. “There’s more that you didn’t read. An exception. See? I told you. A loophole.”
“Oh, that just says, ‘unless they’re married or engaged,’” she says, with another shrug and another slump.
“That clearly doesn’t apply.”
I raise my eyebrows at her.
“Well, not yet…”
“Harlow Bradford, don’t you dare,” she says, reaching across the desk and playfully slapping me on my shoulder. “I know you’ve never been in a relationship but they don’t work like this. You don’t go from saying ‘I love you, be my girlfriend,’ to proposing. Especially not when you haven’t even met my parents. They would kill me.”
But she’s smiling. I love it. She wants to marry me. I just know it.
“You’re right,” I tell her. “It’s too early for that. But it’s never too early to just pretend.”
“To just pretend?” she asks. “You mean, like playing house? Like little kids do?”
I shrug, grinning at her.
“What if the only way for us to have a real, out in the open relationship, is to have a fake engagement?” I ask her.
She nods her head, suddenly understanding what I’m getting at.
“That would be crazy,” she says.
“Well, I don’t know about you but no one has ever accused me of being sane,” I tell her.
Now she’s shaking her head, but she’s grinning. A lot.
“Harlow, this is truly insane. Who are we going to lie to? Everyone?”
I shrug.
“Why not? Dr. Davis has been lying to everyone. And this is a good lie, not a bad lie. It’s to help people. And it’s even kind of true.”
“Kind of doesn’t count,” she says, laughing again.
How I wish I could get down on one knee and propose to her for real, instead of just for pretend. But that would be truly crazy. For now, I have to worry about saving her job, not indulging in some fantasy of the future that I can completely imagine having with her.
“Look, I’m sure you can explain the situation to Lance,” I tell her.
“And Mae,” she agrees, nodding.
“Yes, and Mae too. So to Dr. Davis and anyone else, we just tell them we’re engaged, so we’re allowed to be together.”
“But he’ll be like, you only just met!” she protests.
“So what?” I shrug. “It was a whirlwind romance. People do it. Those people are crazy, but no one can accuse them of not really being engaged. Like you were just saying, how do they even know the level of emotional involvement or commitment between two people? Are they going to make us sign a statement in blood? Swear under oath? Take a lie detector test?”
She laughs, slowly shaking her head back and forth.
“You know what? This might be crazy enough that it could just actually work.”
“Great,” I tell her, getting up and walking over to her. “Now that you see it my way…”
I get down on my knee by her computer chair and hold her hand. I look up into her eyes and get a glimpse of my real future. Except I’ll be holding a small box with a very large diamond ring inside.
“Whitney Reid, I love you and I want you to be happy now and in the future. Therefore, I’m asking you to do me the honor of being my fake fiancée. Whitney, will you be fake engaged to me?”
She bends over and kisses me, and now it’s her turn to cry a little bit.
“Harlow Bradford, I most certainly will.”
Chapter 50 – Whitney
I rush into Lance’s office, not bothering to worry about who sees or hears. Everything will come to light soon enough.
“Not you again,” he says, dead-panning. “I hope you brought sushi. From the place you hate.”
“No, but I brought news.”
“Gossip? Out with it then.”
“Gossip about myself,” I laugh. “Harlow and I are together. Like, in a relationship.”
He looks at me skeptically. “I know I’m expected to extend congratulations here, but I’m not sure this is the greatest idea…”
“I know. You think he’s a player and that it’s bad for my career. But you’ll just have to wait and see on the first argument, and I’m about to do something that will be even worse for the second argument.”
“Let me guess. It involves Dr. Davis?”
“Yes. Based on the documents I… acquired…”— I wink at him— “Wait, hold on a second. First, I have to tell you something confidential.”
I lower my voice, and he looks intrigued.
“We’re engaged,” I tell him, and he nearly jumps out of his chair in shock.
“You’re what?”
“Oh crap, I said that wrong,” I tell him. “I just have so many things to tell you that I got them out of order. The engaged part isn’t a secret. As far as you and everyone in the office knows—I’m about to walk out there as soon as Harlow brings me back a ring, and it better be a pretty one, and announce it—we’re engaged. But,” I say, lowering my voice even more. “The secret is that it’s fake. We’re fake engaged.”
“I see,” rubbing his temples. “I’m assuming this is because of that part of the employee handbook that says—”
“Yes, that says we’re allowed to be romantically or physically involved if we’re engaged.”
“Girl, you don’t have to go telling me about your sex life,” he says. “TMI. But I get it now. So go ahead with the other stuff, the real stuff, not the fake stuff, about Dr. Davis.”
“Yes,” I continue, taking a deep breath. “Based on the documents I found, thanks to your help, I know for sure he’s a bold-faced liar who changes the ‘facts’ to fit his preference. And also that he’s using people for his own advantage. But, listen, Lance, I really do appreciate your support thus far and I can promise you that I won’t do anything to drag you into the middle of this, or hurt your job here…”
“Whitney. No worries girl. It’s fine.”
“What’s fine?”
I’m confused.
“You can involve me however you want,” Lance says. “I mean, I’d prefer if you not reveal your sources of… information prior to this point… but I completely agree with you that Dr. Davis is a fraud. He thinks he can convince me to not see things I’ve seen with my own two eyes, just because he has power and sway here.”
I smile, proud of Lance, even though he’s my boss rather than the other way around.
“If you can take him down, great,” he continues. “Add me to a list of people who will back you up. I don’t know if it’s the best idea for you to let Mr. Bad Boy into your life but I do know he’s ready to be let back into the military, and as his physical therapist, it’s my job to advocate for him truthfully, and not be intimidated by his ridiculous referring doctor.”
“Thank you!” I say, rushing forward to hug him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lance!”
“Geez, you’re welcome,” he says, playfully pushing me off of him. “Now get off me before your crazy ex comes back and sees us and thinks he was right about us having an affair.”
“Oh my god, that was so lame,” I say. “I’m so glad I’m done with him. He has nothing to do now but report me for things that everyone is already going to know. He says I’m sneaking around with a patient? Well, I can do him one better. I’m engaged to a patient, bitches!”
“Take that, Tony!” Lance practically shouts. “I have to admit, McHunkerton is a big step up from McMoocherson, at least in the looks and motivation departments. Just don’t let him break your heart, or he’ll have to answer to me.”
“Yes sir,” I say, nodding in mock solemness. “And thank you, Lance, for all you’ve done to help me here. I’ve learned so much. Thank you for your amazing letter of recommendation to medical scho
ol, too.”
“You weren’t supposed to read that,” he jokes. “You’ll get a big head. But you do deserve it.”
He’s right, I think, as I leave his office. I do deserve it, for once.
I can’t believe everything is finally falling into place. Now I just have make my fake marriage announcement, which is going to be fun, and then deal with Dr. Davis, which isn’t exactly something I’m looking forward to.
Chapter 51 – Harlow
One Week Later
“I’m so nervous,” Whitney says, fanning herself with the folder full of evidence she’s brought to the meeting with the Board.
“It’ll be fine,” I say, rubbing her back.
“So sorry I’m late,” says Riley, rushing through the door.
“Relax,” I tell her. “You’re not late. It hasn’t even started yet.”
I turn to introduce her to Whitney.
“This is Riley, my ever-so-punctual yet always-paranoid-about-being- late almost-sister-in-law.”
“Hi,” says Whitney, reaching out to shake her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Well then give me a hug,” says Riley, enveloping her in a bear hug. “I’ve heard about you too.” She winks at me. “It’s not everyday that Jensen’s little brother gets a girlfriend. Or, oops, should I say fiancée.”
Now she winks at Whitney. Because she can’t encourage her clients to lie, Jensen had filled Riley in on the plan with a lot of “wink wink” and “nudge nudge” involved in informing her that his brother was also, wink wink nudge nudge, engaged, and that his fiancee’s job was therefore safe.
He informed me that there was a lot of surprise and confusion on Riley’s part before she picked up on what he meant. She’s a quick study, that Riley. And I’m very grateful to have her on Team Take Down Dr. Davis.
“Oooh, I love your ring,” says Whitney, reaching over to grab Riley’s hand and look at it more close up. “It’s so unique.”
“Thanks,” says Riley. “It was Jensen’s mom’s— and Harlow’s too of course. Their dad passed it down to whoever would become the first Bradford boy to get engaged.”
“He probably didn’t think any of us would ever get it,” I laugh.
Then Riley says, “Apparently, it happened to two of the Bradford Brothers at about the same time,” and then winks at us.
She reaches over and holds onto Whitney’s left hand.
“I like your ring too, by the way.”
Whitney laughs and holds up the cubic zirconia in the light. It is a pretty ring, for a fake one. But no where near as nice as the one I plan to get her when we get engaged for real.
“Well, thank you. And congratulations,” Whitney says. “When’s the wedding?”
“We don’t know yet,” Riley says. “The whole engagement just happened so fast.”
“I can certainly relate,” Whitney responds, and we all laugh. “And that makes sense that you don’t know the date yet. Neither do we.” She winks at me. “But, there’s plenty of time to plan. And I really appreciate you showing up to help us with this meeting.”
“Any time,” Riley says. “There’s nothing I like better than taking on the military on behalf of one of its members.”
She laughs, but it’s true. Most of her practice these days revolves around representing service members.
“I think the meeting should start any minute now—” Whitney says, looking at her watch. But then someone else breaks through the doors, without knocking.
“Dr. Davis,” I say, somewhat out of shock, but mostly to clue Riley in. “Nice to see you.”
“Don’t give me pleasant formalities when you’re trying to screw me over,” Dr. Davis says, his eyes practically bulging out of his head. “Just because you’re mad I didn’t pay you the money from the sale of my technology… yet.”
I just look at him, giving him more rope to hang himself with instead of cutting him off.
“Little did you know it’s because I was planning to give you sizeable stock options when the sale goes public,” he says. “It was supposed to be a surprise, but obviously you couldn’t wait to find out the good news. You just jumped to the worst conclusions about me and you’re trying to trash my good name as revenge for what you think is owed you. Although, really, Harlow, we can still work this out. I can still give you the stock options I’d always planned to give you…”
“No thanks,” I say, with a shrug.
This isn’t about money to me. This is about justice.
“And if you think this has anything to do with your recertification,” he says, now inches from my face. “It’s not. I was going to wait until the press conference next week to inform you of this exciting news, too, but, you’ve been cleared to go back with your unit. All of our hard work has paid off. So now you know, thanks to your impatience. And really there’s no need for us to hold this meeting at all today.”
“Yes there is,” I say, but Riley puts a gentle hand on my arm.
“Harlow, why don’t you let me do the talking?” she says. “Dr. Davis, I’m Riley Morrell, a lawyer who is representing Harlow and Whitney in today’s proceedings. Nice to meet you.”
“Whitney, huh?” Dr. Davis says, throwing an angry glance at her. “This is all her doing. She’s had it against me from the start. But she’s got nothing on me. You should advise your client to call this whole thing off. She’s going to look like a fool in that room.”
“Dr. Davis, there’s no need for anger,” Riley says. “I’m sure it will all be worked out at the board meeting. And my clients have no interest in trying to settle things beforehand. In fact, there’s nothing to be settled. My clients want nothing from you. No monetary payment, no certification. They only want the truth to come to light. If you’re right that the truth is in your favor, then you have nothing to be angry about.”
Well done, Riley, I think, wishing I could applaud her little speech.
But hearing that he can’t buy or certify me off has only made Dr. Davis angrier.
“I’m warning you to leave this here,” Dr. Davis says. “You don’t know my standing in the military community, or what I’m capable of…”
There’s a knock on the door, and when Riley opens it, a board member greets her.
“If everyone is ready,” he says, “It’s time to begin the board meeting.”
“We are still talking…” Dr. Davis begins.
“No we’re not,” I say, cutting him off. “Riley has said all that needs to be said, and quite perfectly, if I may add.”
I look at her, and she winks at me. Then I take Whitney’s hand and squeeze it.
“All right,” says the board member, “Right this way, please. If you’re ready.”
“We’re ready.”
We follow him to a conference room, while I think: for whatever comes next.
Chapter 52 – Whitney
Once we are seated in the conference room, I do my best to look confident instead of nervous. I try to keep my gaze centered on Harlow, my fake fiancé, from whom I always find very real strength. The board members introduce themselves and state that we are on the record, and then Harlow, Riley and I introduce ourselves, followed by a very angry-looking Dr. Davis.
“We are here today at the request of Harlow Bradford,” begins the President of the Board. “And he brings with him his lawyer, Riley Morrell, as well as a Ms. Whitney Reid, who is… or was… his physical therapist at Piñon Physical Therapy.”
“She’s just an intern,” Dr. Davis butts in. “And a scorned one at that. She was fired as Harlow’s trainer, for gross incompetence and ineptitude. I move that we not allow her to talk, because she obviously has a very biased motive. This meeting shouldn't even be happening.”
“Objection…” Riley begins, but the President waves a hand at her.
“Dr. Davis, we ask that you please wait your turn to speak. The Board will acknowledge you when it wishes to hear from you. This is not a formal hearing, and, Ms. Morrell, thank you but no obje
ctions are needed.”
Riley nods and says, “Yes sir.”
But Dr. Davis just sits there fuming, obviously mad that he was rebuffed by the Board. He always thinks he has so much power, but apparently it doesn’t extend quite as far as he would like it to.
Finally, he thinks of something and stands up.
“Actually, it’s necessary that I bring up another conflict of interest so that the Board can look into matters of actual import.”
“Dr. Davis,” one of the Board members says, but he waves them off impatiently and keeps going.
“Whitney Reid is having an inappropriate sexual relationship with this patient of hers,” Dr. Davis declares. “And that’s clearly against the rules around here.”
There’s an audible gasp among the Board members, and I’m so glad that Harlow had anticipated this and prepared for it.
He clears his throat and then says, “If I may address that allegation, please.”
“Well… yes sir, go ahead,” says the Board chair person, obviously unsure of how to handle this unique situation. “We haven’t formally started yet, but, we take such matters as important and as a primary matter, perhaps we should hear the, uh, explanation for this.”
“Of course,” Harlow says. He smiles at me. “Whitney here is my fiancé. Since we are engaged, there is nothing that goes against policy.”
I smile and wave at them, dangling my left hand for them to see. They smile back at me, and one of the female Board member winks at me approvingly.
We’ve got this in the bag, I think.
“Objection!” shouts Dr. Davis. “They’re liars!”
Takes one to know one, I think.
“They just practically met,” Dr. Davis says. “How could this even be possible?”
“Well,” Harlow volunteers. “It’s quite possible. I feel head over heels in love with Whitney the moment I laid eyes on her, which happened to be at the conference where you were being presented with the award. Unlike everyone else who had fallen for your scheme, Whitney maintained her own independent judgment and she saw right through you. She’s smart, brave, competent. A kind soul, an amazing physical therapist, and, well, we needn’t go into other things about her that I personally think makes her so great.”
