Amelia Addler [Addler - Doctor’s Date with a Billionaire

Doctors Date with a Billionaire

Amelia Addler

ANJ Press

Pittsburgh

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

DOCTORS DATE WITH A BILLIONAIRE

ANJ Press, First edition. MAY 2019 .

Copyright 2019 Amelia Addler .

Written by Amelia Addler .

Cover design by Charmaine Ross at CharmaineRoss.com

For Nate
my thoughtful, funny, handsome, silly, strong husband.
Im lucky that the dog rested his head on your chest
all those years ago to let me know
that you were a good guy.
You are more amazing than anyone I could dream up.

Jason looked at his watch and sighed . His dad was late, as usual. He t ried to focus on the menu and decide on lunch, but he kept catching himself looking around the restaurant instead ; he was worried hed been followed.

Nobody look ed suspicious, and truth be told, he didnt know what he would do if there was someone suspicious. It made him nervous nevertheless.

After what felt like an eternity, Marty Make it Happen Brash finally arrived.

Sorry Im late, his dad said in a low voice. I have to be extra careful these days.

Marty was out on bail, and in a few short weeks he would stand trial to answer for decades of financial crimes and fraud.

I ts okay.

Jason wasnt sure how to feel. Part of him hoped that his dad wouldnt show up to lunch. Then the only time hed have to face him would be at trial.

W hats new with you? Marty asked, sitting back casually.

What an absurd question. They hadnt seen each other in three years, yet he acted like they were just catching up.

Jason decided that it was best not to drag it out. There are some things I need to tell you.

Marty peered down at his menu. H ows work?

I ts fine, Jason said, crossing him arms. Nothing exciting . He couldnt stand faking pleasant conversation with his dad , pretending that everything was okay.

Marty continued. W hats good here? Do you think the turkey burgers are decent ? Im s upposed to watch my cholesterol.

Im not really sure.

What lonely soul even came up with turkey burger s ? his dad mused.

Now Jason knew that he was stalling on purpose. T heres something I think you deserve to know. Youve hurt a lot of people. And Ive agreed to testify against you at trial.

Marty didnt react right away. He kept looking at the choices in front of him , eyes scanning back and forth. After a moment, he set the menu down. I know, son.

Jason sat back, surprised. Hed dreaded having to say that out loud for the past few weeks n o, actually it was a dread hed had for years.

When he was younger, he didnt realize that his father was actually a conman . At first, Jason was even unwittingly part of his fathers schemes .

It started when he was in high school when h is dad needed help with the computer.

There are a lways problems with these computers, hed say. How am I supposed to get anything done?

Jason showed him how to use a word processor and spreadsheets to keep track of things, including expenses, payments, and business partners .

Jason had no idea what any of the numbers or names were linked to . At that age, he didnt quite understand what fraud was. He didnt know that his dad was the go-to guy for white collar crime. All he knew was that it took his dad forever to do anything on the computer, so he had to keep track of everything for him.

As he got older, Jason learned that none of his dads businesses or banking deals were legitimate. He quickly removed himself from anything to do with the family business. He was ashamed that he was ever involved. After dropping out of college, Jason got an apprenticeship as a carpenter. He never looked back.

It wasnt until FBI agents showed up at his door that he truly understood the stunning depths of his dads crimes. Jason wasnt in any trouble, and while that was good news for him, it made the agents worry it was a long shot that hed say anything against his father.

When they showed him how much money his father stole, and how much it hurt innocent people who were too trusting with their savings, Jason was disgusted. He agreed to cooperate and offer any information he had. He couldnt live with himself otherwise.

Ye t he didnt expect his dad to be so calm about it.

Jason broke the silence. Y oure not a ngry?

Marty sighed . No. Im not angry. Not with you.

Jason didnt know what to say. Did his dad understand the seriousness of the accusations against him? Did he understand that with the evidence the FBI had, he would probably be in jail for years ?

Marty continued. Things got out of control, you know, out of hand. When you were little, and you dont remember this, I was just like any other guy working at a bank . And when I saw that there were chances to make more money, I couldnt resist. I figure d that we werent hurting anybody just a few suckers . I know its hard to believe now, but everything I did, I did because I wanted a better life for you.

Jason gritted his teeth. W as his dad trying to guilt him now? That would be a nice touch on their already delicate father-son relationship.

P art of the reason that Jason offered to help his dad in the first place was because he wanted to spend more time with his dad . He was always working, and Jason wanted to learn from his father and follow in his footsteps. He wanted to make him proud .

Jason shook off the memories. He was an adult now, and he couldnt let his dad play mind games with him. Is this some sort of a trick?

N o, no, his father replied hurriedly. Not this. This is real. I ve had a lot of time to think about everything h ow I ended up here. Why I ended up here. I lost sight of what s important. I have a lot to be ashamed of. He paused to rub his forehead. L ong story short, Im not angry at you at all. Im only angry at myself.

Jason to ok a deep breath and sat back . H is dad could charm his way out of almost any situation , but it really didnt seem like he was spinning a tale this time . It seem ed genuine.

Jason studied his face. For the first time in his life, his dad looked tired. He had bags under his eyes. His posture was slumped. Hed always been full of life, full of schemes. Today, he looked defeated.

How long had he been like this? For the past few years, Jason pulled away from anything that had to do with his dad, so he hadnt seen him at all . He spoke to him occasionally, for holidays and birthdays. After years of trying to convince hi m to stop with all the schemes, he finally gave up. Eventually, Jason knew that his only chance at a normal life was to leave it all behind, his dad included.

Okay then, Jason finally replied. He had no choice but to believe him.

A waitress stopped at their table. Jason put in an order for coffee and his father ordered a soda . She asked if they were ready to order and they looked at each other, wide eyed , doing that universal shrug as if to say I am if you are!

The exchange seemed so normal, so casual, that Jason couldnt help but note the absurdity of it all. No one from the outside would be able to see the cracks in their relationship. They looked like two guys having a relaxing lunch, ordering a pair of bacon burger s .

S o much for your cholesterol, s aid Jason.

His dad shrugged. Ill do better next time.

As they waited for their food to come out, Jason answered what felt like a barrage of questions about his work and his life . It was like his dad was trying to make up for the last few years when all he seem ed to care about was making more money.