Page 20 of Lie for a Lie

I have a problem believing the illusion of who people are instead of who they are. I want to believe the person Seth presents to the world each day is who he truly is, but the truth is that most of us simply are not those people. A slight fear grows in my mind, creating some doubt. On the outside, he seems to be one of the most confident men I have ever met, but I think it’s a mask of who he is. Walking to the breakroom, I lock my phone in my locker. It’s becoming a distraction, which is the last thing I need right now.

“Did he ever message back?” David asks when I return to our section.

I just smile and shake my head. He offers me a pitiful smile before answering one of the call lights nearby.

Chapter 10

Paige

Iam so furious when I end my shift that I shove everything into my backpack and don’t bother checking my phone. When I get home, it is nearly seven thirty in the morning, and all I want is a hot shower and to sleep my day off before my partial shift tomorrow.

Unlocking the front door of our condo, I am greeted by Bre, who is fully dressed for work and drinking a coffee while reading the paper. She looks up as I slam down my keys and throw my bag onto the floor before throwing myself onto the couch, screaming out in frustration. Bre doesn’t so much as flinch and continues to drink her coffee. I remain face down on the couch for what feels like hours before I finally hear her let out a sigh.

“Are you going to make me ask, or are you just going to tell me,” Bre says, annoyed. I begin to talk muffled into the couch cushion. “Paige, sit up.”

I force myself to sit up as Bre comes and sits next to me on the couch. Pulling me closer and hugging me. I lean in and sigh.

“Boys suck,” I say, frustrated, and Bre nods in agreement.

“They can be rather annoying, yes.”

I let out a small laugh.

“Seth was texting me during my shift and stopped talking to me after I tried to explain who David is.”

A confused look darkens Bre’s expression.

“David? Like, we get our nails done by the same guy, David? David, who has the six-foot-four athlete hottie husband? David, whose makeup is always on point, and who is probably a prettier woman than I am?”

“Yes,” I sigh, trying not to laugh before leaning my head against the back of the couch. “Seth just shut down about it. I can’t date someone unwilling to communicate with me, and even if God had made David straight, I am not close to his type. He likes them tragically pretty.”

Bre lets my words rattle around in her mind before placing a soft kiss on the top of my head. I smile at the contact.

“He is an idiot if he sees David as a threat. Maybe we could invite them all over for dinner. Maybe meeting him and his husband will help ease some of his insecurities.”

“I am open to trying. I’ll talk to David and see if Seth might be interested in it.”

“You know it’s still early in whatever you two are doing. If you want out, you only have to say the word.”

Her lack of confidence in Seth is disheartening, considering this whole thing was her idea.

“Maybe I’m overreacting.” I don’t fully believe the words when they leave my mouth.

“Maybe.”

Bre smiles and brushes a piece of my hair behind my ear before standing from the couch and straightening out her pantsuit.

“I have a meeting with a client and need to get going. Are you okay, or do I need to reschedule them?”

I smile and am unsurprised that she will reschedule her whole day if I need her here. That’s Bre, selfless and caring. She always thinks of me first, even if it screws with a case at work. She has been focusing so much on making partner at her firm, but she always makes time for me and my needs.

“No, I just need a shower and sleep. Please go and thank you,” I say playfully, pushing her away.

She laughs before heading to the kitchen, grabbing her leather briefcase and keys.

I watch her and wave when she leaves before pulling myself off the couch. I pick up around the house for a few minutes before finally heading towards my room, putting my phone and watch on the charger. I see my phone light up with several notifications, but I don’t have the energy to deal with any of it right now. After my quick shower, I dry myself off before blow-drying my hair. I throw on a clean, oversized shirt, bury myself in blankets, and fall asleep.

When I finally wake up, it’s nearly four in the afternoon. I can hear the sounds from the kitchen and just want a cup of coffee.Wrapped in my comforter, I walk out to Bre, unloading our dishwasher. I pause when I see the massive bouquet of daisies in the middle of the counter—a blue envelope with my name handwritten across the front.

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