“What?” I asked, not quite following.
“Dr. Matthews and Katie. You know they're practically engaged, right?”
“Practically isn't actually,” I replied. “Why is everyone so dead set on this wedding? I don't even think they're actually a real couple.”
Donna raised her eyebrows. “Do you have a problem with Katie?”
“No, I like Katie.” I sighed. How could I explain this without giving myself away? “I just haven't seen them as a couple.”
“That's just because Katie is so busy,” Donna explained. “They make such a perfect couple. It's a fairy tale. He saved her dad, you know. And can you imagine their babies? They'd be so perfect. The entire Bridge Club agrees.”
I sighed again. Delusion seemed to be my town's strength. It didn't matter that Jacob and Katie weren't actually a couple. The town, powered by the Ladies' Bridge Club, insisted they were.
Guilt tugged a little bit harder on my soul as I went over the schedule for the day in my office.
If the town found out what happened in that break room, they would hate us. Me especially, but Jacob would lose patients over it. It could damage his business if anyone found out. I didn't want to be the one to bring tha
t to happen.
I heard the front door open and shut. My heart sped up and my palms got sweaty. Jacob was here. The moment I'd been fixated on all night was here. I took a deep breath, smoothed my hair, and raised my chin up. I could do this.
I walked with confidence to the front desk, ready to have a grown up conversation.
Except, Jacob wasn't there. It was Abigail St. James checking in for an appointment.
“Okay, Abigail, you're all checked in,” Donna told her. She turned and saw me. “Oh, perfect timing, Hannah. Our first patient is here.”
I gave a fake smile. “Of course. Come on back with me.”
Abigail audibly rolled her eyes, but came with me.
“Let's get your weight,” I said, stopping at the office scale.
“I was just here. I don't need to see those numbers.” She crossed her arms and glared at me. “I'm here for a rash, not your sick need to be skinny.”
I sighed. “Okay, then. We'll just head to room two.”
Once inside, I managed to take her blood pressure and temperature without too much complaint.
“When is Dr. Matthews going to be here?” Abigail asked when I finished.
“Any time now. You're the first patient here, but you did beat him in today.”
“Ugh. Figures I'd have to deal with you.”
I frowned slightly, unsure of why she was being so hostile today. I knew she didn't like me and that she hadn't liked me since high school, but usually she at least pretended to be polite.
“Is there something bothering you?” I asked her.
She narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
“I saw you. I saw you with Dr. Matthews and I can't believe that even you would stoop so low.”
Panic fluttered in my chest. There was a small window in the break room, but I was fairly sure the blinds were pulled in it. Could she have stopped by the office yesterday and seen us?
“What do you mean?” I asked, deciding to play dumb. Maybe she hadn't seen anything. Maybe I could just say he was checking out a suspicious mole for me. That's why I was naked.
“Don't play dumb,” she sneered. “I know you're smart. You should be ashamed of yourself.”