Which explained why he’d hung around the hospital despite that he’d just finished checking his last patient consult that evening. Normally, he’d have taken off to make sure his path didn’t cross with McKenzie’s when he knew she was at the hospital.
Tonight, when he’d spotted her in the dictation room on his way out, he’d been drawn to her, meaning to just walk by and get a glimpse, maybe say hi and assure his mind that she was, indeed, fine as she’d claimed so that maybe, just maybe, her tear-streaked face would quit haunting him.
Not since finding out she was taken had she occupied so much of his mind. Prior to that, he’d thought about her almost constantly.
The past week he’d reverted to doing so again and hadn’t liked it.
You knew something had upset her, he reminded himself. Had told himself she’d probably had to give bad news to a family during her hospital shift and that had been what upset her. Lord knew there were times when doing so gutted him enough that he fought tears.
The thought that something personal might have caused her tears had crossed his mind, but he’d dismissed it. Even if McKenzie and her man were having issues, the last thing Ryder wanted was to be a rebound guy.
Been there, done that, had the scars to prove it.
“You want to use me to make your ex jealous?”
“Maybe,” she surprised him by admitting. “Are you seeing anyone?”
“No, but—”
“Look,” she interrupted. “I’m not hitting on you. Nor do I want to date you,” she clarified. Her tone conveyed that she found the idea preposterous. “Not for real. I just need someone to go with me to my cousin’s wedding. Someone who won’t take things wrong or have any relationship expectations and if Paul gets jealous in the process...” She shrugged.
McKenzie wanted to use him.
“I don’t think it fair to invite someone who might get the wrong idea,” she continued, perhaps to fill the silence as words failed Ryder.
He liked to think he rolled with the punches, but McKenzie asking him to be her pretend boyfriend for a weekend had him speechless.
“I’m not interested in replacing Paul.” She took a deep breath. “But going to my cousin’s wedding alone isn’t a viable option.”
The desperation that must have driven her to ask him to go with her kept Ryder from walking away.
Not that he’d say yes.
Her suggestion was ridiculous. Playing McKenzie’s pretend boyfriend appealed about as much as the thought of torture.
His gaze narrowed. “When is the wedding?”
“Not this weekend, but next.” At his widened eyes, she rushed on, “Short notice, I know.”
“You want me to go with you to a wedding next weekend? As a pretend date? No strings attached?”
If not for her serious expression, he’d think she was pranking him.
“Want is such a mild word. I’ll gladly repay the favor.”
Ryder arched his brow. “You mean when I need someone to pretend to be my girlfriend?”
“Please say yes. I’m desperate.” She pointed at the computer screen, reminding him of her escort service search. “Obviously.”
“Being a pretend boyfriend for a wedding isn’t on my bucket list. Sorry.”
Her disappointment had him momentarily reconsidering, then he shook off the notion of saying yes just to ease the desperation in her big green eyes.
Once upon a time he’d have loved t
he excuse to spend time with her. Fortunately, he’d put that behind him.
Just as he planned to put this conversation behind him.