Page 50 of The Lies We Tell Ourselves

“Yes…no…maybe?” I licked my dry lips and brushed back the hair stuck to my face with a trembling hand. “I guess… I’m just surprised, really.” I shrugged, feeling uncomfortable, but the soft smile on his face quieted any lingering anxiety. “Why are you here? This isn’t your dorm.”

“No, it’s not.” He sighed and rubbed a nervous hand down his thigh, refusing to look at me as a soft flush worked up his neck. “Full disclosure?”

“Always.”

“I came here to see you.” My shock must have shown on my face, because he laughed and shook his head. “Honestly. I hadn’t received a text from you, so I came to see if you wanted to go for that coffee.” Hopefulness laced his words, and my knee-jerk reaction was to say yes, because I hated to let people down. But as the word formed on my lips, Dillon’s face flashed in my mind.

I still didn’t understand what was going on between us. I knew he liked me, maybe not as much as I liked him, but there was definitely something ‘more’ between us. But no matter how close we got physically, it felt like he was holding a part of himself back.

“Um—”

“Oh god.” Cory ducked his head. “You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?”

“Well, it’s complicated.”

“Always is, isn’t it?” He said quietly and tipped his head back against the wall. “Fuck it. I’m gonna shoot my shot.” I smiled at his words. “I’m not complicated, Jamie. I really like you?—”

“You met me for like two minutes.” I chuckled.

“True. But I’m good at reading people and you’re a nice guy and hot as fuck, with the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen. So, what do you say? Wanna get a drink with me sometime?”

My face was literally melting from my blush. I was flattered and all, but I’d only ever had eyes for one person. To me, no one would ever compare to Dillon. Even if I didn’t know where I stood with him, I could never entertain being with anyone else, let alone leading that person on. I sighed. “I’m honored.” Cory cringed. “But I don’t think that is for the best. We could be fr?—”

“Oh my god, you’re going to friend zone me.” He clutched at his heart as if he’d been shot. “That’s cruel, Jamie,” he joked and rubbed his eyes. The glassy sheen in them made my breath hitch. I felt like shit upsetting people, but this was for the best.

“Sorry.” I reached out and grabbed his arm. Cory looked at me from under his lashes. “But thank you for being here and helping me through that.”

“No problem. Are you good now?”

“Yup.”

Cory looked at his watch and pushed up off the stairs. “Well, I’d better be going. See you, Jamie.” He winked and walked away with his shoulders hunched up by his ears.

I sighed as I pulled myself up, a wave of exhaustion washing through me as I wobbled on my feet. I glanced around the lobby and found it empty and prayed no one saw my epic meltdown. “Fat chance of that.” I scoffed and brushed that thought aside and picked up the offending item. The box was small and unassuming, but I knew it was from whomever had been leaving the envelopes under my door. Taking a deep breath, I opened the box slowly in case it decided to explode all over me too. Thankfully, it didn’t.

Nestled inside the black silk lining was a small clear USB stick. Nothing else, not even a note. Everything about it made me sick. My phone vibrated in my pocket, so I shoved the box to the bottom of my bag and ignored it. That was a problem for future me. I pulled my phone out and gasped when I realized it was nearly eleven. Mal was probably wondering where I was. The message icon blinked at me so I clicked on it and pulled up our thread.

Mal

I’m done, where are you?

Mal

JJ seriously, where are you?

Mal

Goddammit, Jamie. I’m coming to find you! Don’t move!!!!!!

I’m in the lobby.

Just as I sent the message, the elevator dinged, and Mal strode out with a frantic look on his face. His eyes darted in every direction until they landed on me. I swallowed as his features flushed with what looked like anger.

“What the hell?” He walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me. I melted into his embrace, needing his strength. Mal must have felt something, because when he drew back, he rested his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. “Are you okay, JJ?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Well, I am now you’re here.” That got a smirk out of him, and he stepped back and bowed.

“At your service, m’lord.” He snickered before casting a cautious eye over me. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look a bit flushed.”

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