Prince Pucking Charming

Her husband’s eyes meet mine. He tilts his head to the side, giving me a confused look. Realization lights in his eyes, and then he gives me a wicked smirk.

“Duke Baldwin?”

He extends his hand to me, but after the way he treated Dr. Devine and his daughter, I would rather spit on him. He must be a fan. I can’t afford to get into any more trouble, so I shake his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” he says with a wicked grin. “I’m Ted Fairchild, Chief of Staff for Senator Banks. Nice, firm grip you got there,” he says, shaking out his hand.

Dr. Devine has a different last name. Interesting.

“Duke Baldwin?” The little girl taps her dad on the leg, peeking up at him. “Daddy, he’s your favorite player.”

Ted clutches his daughter’s shoulder and shushes her. “Yeah, Maxie. Daddy’s talking now.”

Wow! This dude is such a dick.

“Tough game you had in Philly,” Ted continues. “I couldn’t believe you got twenty games for that.”

I roll my shoulders. “It wasn’t my call.”

“You better be back for the playoffs. The team could use you right now.

”

As if I don’t already feel like shit...

“Yeah, I’ll be back in time.”

“We’ll see you next week,” Dr. Devine says to Ted, interrupting our painful conversation.

“Are you with...” His voice trails off as his gaze flicks between Dr. Devine and me.

“It’s none of your business who I’m with, Ted.” Dr. Devine presses her palm to his shoulder and gives him a shove in the opposite direction.

Ted’s cheeks flush. “You sure know how to pick them, huh?”

“Sure do,” she says with a cheeky grin. “I have a patient coming soon. Now, if you would excuse us.”

He says one last goodbye to me and then his daughter before Captain Douchebag disappears into the hallway, leaving us in awkward silence.

“I’m sorry,” Dr. Devine says to me.

“For what?”

“My ex-husband thinks we’re dating. I couldn’t tell him you’re my patient. That would violate doctor-patient confidentiality.”

Dr. Devine is single. One point for the home team.

“I’d be happy to be your fake boyfriend.” I wiggle my eyebrows as a smile turns up the corners of my mouth.

But Dr. Devine doesn’t look too thrilled about my proposal.

“You’re my patient.”

She sucks in a deep breath, and her lips part as if she’s about to speak again. Instead, she leads her daughter to the couch across from the reception desk.

“Mommy, can Duke come over?”

Dr. Devine laughs. “No, baby. Duke has to go home.”