Page 152 of My Fake Dating with the Grumpiest Highlander

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The clinic door suddenly swings open.

Both of us turn.

Mary stands in the doorway, cheeks pink from the cold, her hair pulled into a ponytail beneath her vet jacket.

She looks surprised to see us.

“Hey, Nate. I… didn’t realize you were here.”

“Morning, Mary,” Nate says with a smile. “I was just taking measurements. For… uh… something.”

I stare at the ceiling.

Subtle, cousin. Very subtle.

Nate gathers his things with suspicious speed.

“Well! I’ll leave you two alone. Finn, I’ll send estimates later today. Think about what we talked about. Have a good day, Mary.”

“Bye,” she says.

He leaves, shooting me one final look that very clearly says don’t screw this up.

Mary frowns slightly, glances around the clinic, then looks back at me.

“Can I talk to you? Just for a minute?”

“Of course.”

I stare at her while my heart starts pounding.

This is it.

This is where she tells me she made a mistake. That it was just the alcohol. That the fake relationship was easier.

“This place is really ugly,” she says.

I barely suppress a smile.

“I know.”

“You should redo all of it.”

“I’ve been thinking about it. But I assume you didn’t come here to discuss interior decorating?”

Her green eyes lock onto mine with that intensity that always steals the air from my lungs.

“I need you at the clinic. Right now.”

I blink.

“It’s Ragnar,” she explains. “He hasn’t eaten since yesterday. He’s barely moving. I think he swallowed something toxic, but he won’t even let me near him. You, on the other hand…”

She trails off.

“I’m coming,” I say, already standing.

I grab my jacket and follow Mary out of the clinic.

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