Page 20 of Married With Lies

“You mentioned him earlier. Called him the Animal Whisperer.”

She’s shaking her head before I finish speaking. “No, Gus is a woman. She’s my best friend and the world’s most gifted veterinarian. We get along so well because we both prefer animals to people and spend our Saturday evenings with Netflix and hot cocoa. What else are you curious about?”

“I just want to make sure you don’t have any romantic commitments.”

“So this outing is now a date? I had no idea.” She looks at the rubble again and turns back with a scowl. “Were you this quirky when you were Baylor’s BFF? I don’t remember you being this quirky.”

“I’m not quirky. And this isn’t a date.”

“Then I don’t understand why you’re so interested in my love life. Or lack thereof. Wait, you know what? I shouldn’t have to answer all the questions. You answer some questions now.”

“Ask away.”

She nibbles her lower lip as she thinks. “From what I recall, and my recollection is excellent, you used to have your pick of girlfriends.”

“That’s not a question.”

“Do you have a girlfriend now?”

“No.”

“How long has it been?”

“Ages.”

“Why?”

“I’m busy. And I don’t have much patience.”

She thinks that over and then nods. “Why do you carry a gun?”

“In case I run into someone who doesn’t like me.”

“What if I don’t like you?”

“I’m confident I can win you over, Scraps.”

“Ugh, I told you not to call me that. Do you know where I got the nickname Scraps?”

“Nope.”

“My sister’s handiwork. She’s never been original but she could always be counted on to be cruel. Some of my earliest memories include sitting in my booster seat at the dining room table while Hadley flicked food all over me. Then I’d get yelled at for making a mess. She always made it a point to tell everyone I was only her half sister. Hadley also said that my father only married my mother because he wanted the pair of hotels she inherited and I was just an accident that nobody counted on.”

“What a dick.”

“Who? My father or Hadley?”

“Both.”

She’s startled, then she laughs. “Anyway, Hadley and I manage to be civil now for the most part but I trust her as far as I can kick a train.”

“Then you shouldn’t do either one.”

She huffs out another laugh, then changes position slightly, angling toward me for a closer inspection. “I’m trying to remember the last time I saw you. Before tonight, I mean. Once Bay was in college it seemed like he stopped mentioning you. But you did show up at a Dukes game once. I was home from my horrid boarding school over winter break. Luca was with you. Had to be about ten years ago.”

I remember that too. My brother was still a big hockey fan at the time so I took him to a game. We ran into Baylor at a concession stand. Bay awkwardly extended an invitation to join the family in the owner’s suite. Luca lit up at the offer and I couldn’t say no. The suite was large and full of people so it was easy enough for me to blend in by the bar while my brother cheered his brains out in one of the seats by the railing. I did notice Sadie, sitting alone and reading a book, but I’m positive we didn’t exchange a single word.

“The Call of the Wild,” I say.

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