Page 119 of When Lies Unfold

A beat of silence passes before he offers, “I wasn’t really talkin’ about your shoulder.” His voice holds more than a hint of amusement.

My head snaps up, and I roll my eyes. “You ass.”

“So, are you?” Concern is threaded in his tone, coiling with more seriousness. “You sore at all? Hurtin’ in any way?”

“I’m fine.”

“You used that word twice already.”

“I should go?—”

“I’m sorry for leavin’ abruptly.” He catches me off guard with that, rendering me speechless. When he continues, his tone holds an intimate quality I never would’ve guessed he could possess. “Sure as hell didn’t want to.”

I pinch my eyes closed and whisper, “Don’t do this.”

“Why not?”

“Because we agreed not to bring it up.”

“I never agreed to anythin’. You’re the one who said we should pretend it never happened. But the thing is, Lola, I don’t want to.” Smugness enters his voice. “And I don’t make a habit of doin’ what I don’t wanna do.”

An exasperated sound bubbles free. “Of course not.”

“Once we take care of business here and I finally come home, I wouldn’t complain if you were in my bed.”

I’m pleased with how composed I sound when I respond with, “Santy, that’s not going to happen.”

The briefest silence greets my words. When he speaks, his voice is gravelly and holds more than a trace of satisfaction. “Considerin’ you’re callin’ me Santy now says otherwise.”

I sputter, “That doesn’t?—”

“Enjoy havin’ Sabrina over for coffee. See you in a few days.”

The bastard ends the call, leaving me gritting my teeth so hard my molars ache.

That’s what I get for sleeping with a man like him.

51

LOLA

Three days later

“Wow.” Sabrina says this for what seems like the hundredth time.

Seated across from me at the table, she takes in the expansive kitchen. “Wow. This place is incredible.”

She lifts her coffee cup, brows raised. “If I were you, I’d never leave.” She takes a sip, fixing me with an expectant look as she waits for me to respond.

But I can’t, so I don’t. I change the subject instead. “So, does Aarón have you partnered with someone else now?”

“Lord, no.” She waves a hand dismissively. “He knows I’ve only ever worked well with you. Those other girls take an eternity to sweep a floor, let alone mop and dust every surface.”

“Perdón.” Javier interrupts with an apologetic expression. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I wanted to see if you ladies need anything more before I take my break.”

Sabrina gestures to the two enormous croissants he placed on a plate between us. “This is plenty, thank you.”

When I thank him again, he preens. “It’s my pleasure. I’ll see you both in a bit.”

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