Page 78 of Lie For Me

Jack looked at her. ‘You okay?’ He reached a hand out and plucked at her head. ‘Why do you have leaves in your hair?’

‘I’m fine,’ Lucy said, gratefully accepting the ice-cold drink the barman pushed over to her.

She swatted Jack’s hand away and stomped over to the nearest table, sitting down heavily in a lavender-coloured chair.

Jack followed her and sat beside her, his brow furrowed.

‘Luce, what’s going on? Has something happened?’

He reached his hand across the table to brush hers, but she snapped her hand back and pressed it into her lap, her fingers knotting together. Jack looked confused and slowly retracted his hand.

‘You tell me,’ she said, a little too forcefully.

She took a gulp of gin and tonic and had to swallow hard to force it past the lump in her throat. Taking a breath, she said, in what she hoped was a more casual and measured tone,

‘Who was that woman you were talking to?’

Jack’s face lit up, and he smiled. Lucy clenched her teeth to stop her chin wobbling.

‘Oh,’ Jack said. ‘That was Suzy.’

‘Suzy,’ Lucy parroted.

Jack nodded, but didn’t elaborate. He watched as two of Ollie’s friends attempted to carry him around on their shoulders in some sort of victory lap.

‘Well,’ Lucy said, into the space he left. ‘You’re supposed to be my plus one, but I got stuck talking to Nanna.’

She shook her head, feeling the rapidly consumed gin taking hold, mixing with several glasses of champagne, giving her the courage to say things that were better left unsaid.

‘People will think,’ she said, swilling more gin, ‘that you’re trying to cheat on me.’

Jack was studying her face. ‘So, I can’t talk to anyone else?’

‘You weren’t just talking to her,’ Lucy muttered, the gin doing the talking now. ‘You were fawning over her. I don’t care, of course,’ her voice tremored slightly, as she waved her hand in the air, ‘do what you want. But it’s not exactly what a loving boyfriend would do. Fake boyfriend,’ she added hastily.

‘We were just talking,’ Jack said, but didn’t add what about.

His expression was unreadable as he watched her.

‘Yes, I know,’ Lucy said, flicking at some confetti on the table. ‘Talking and laughing at each other’s jokes.’

She knew she sounded petty and shrill but she couldn’t seem to stop the words tumbling out. Jack reached out and took her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles, his grip firm and warm.

‘Oh, there’s no need,’ Lucy said, snatching her hand back. ‘Everyone’s perfectly convinced we’re a happy couple. You can stop pretending now. They’re sold.’

She felt her lips twist as she spoke and wished she could take it back. He was here because of her. Helping her.

For a moment, Jack looked hurt, stared at her with a furrowed brow, a question on his lips. Then his mouth narrowed into a line and he said through gritted teeth.

‘Well, maybe there’s been a story development.’

‘Oh, really?’

‘Reaalllyy. Maybe we aren’t getting along that well. Maybe there’s trouble in paradise and our relationship is on the rocks.’

Lucy’s mouth fell open, and she couldn’t think of anything to say.

‘You’re clearly fed up with me, and I don’t much like your attitude right now. And it would hardly be out of character for either of us, would it? For it all to fall apart.’ His lip curled. ‘I don’t really do relationships, and you––’ He paused. ‘Perhaps I’ve had enough of this,’ he gestured back and forth between them, ‘and I’m looking for a way out.’

---