Page 21 of Lie for a Lie

I head over and smell the fresh flowers, smiling as I open the card. It is simple and straight to the point.

I am so sorry.

Even though the card isn’t signed, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know who they are from. I can feel the slightest disappointment, but I push it down.

“Was it from him?” Bre asks, and something tells me she already knows the answer.

I flip the card to show her, and she just shakes her head as I take one last deep inhale of the flowers before turning on my heels, heading back to my bedroom, and closing the door behind me. Heading to my phone, I think about the best way to handle this situation.

Seth may have overreacted, but I know I tend to shut down when things get complicated. I’m sure it’s a trauma response from my childhood. I can’t get mad at the guy for that. Plus, I need to make sure everything is okay because of Chris. I pull out my phone, finally caving to see Seth’s text.

Seth: Husband? Like he is married to a man? Shit, I turned my phone off. I’m sorry. Please text me back. I just really like you, gorgeous.

That last bit makes me smile.

Paige: Thanks for the flowers. I will text you when I wake up.

Chapter 11

Paige

Iam nearly forty-five minutes late when I arrive for Friday night dinner. We have a reservation for six to celebrate a promotion Chris and Graham received at a steakhouse they both liked. It is also supposed to be the first time Seth, and I have had a chance to see each other with conflicting schedules, but a few hours ago, I got a text he has a work emergency.

After all the David drama, I call Seth, thanking him again for the flowers. The conversation isn’t long, and he seems distracted, which doesn’t help. I just kept trying, though, and we have communicated in some way or another since, but I am having difficulty reading him. So even though I plan on looking hot as hell tonight in hopes of moving past whatever funky energy is between Seth and me, he cancels.

I am at work with all my clothes for dinner when I get a message from Seth to say he isn’t coming. I am thankful the department is slower than usual today. I figure I am getting off early and can change into something else and ride over with Chris and Bre. The universe, however, decides my six-hour shift needs to run late, and there has been a last-minute emergency.

By the time I clock out, it is already our reservation time, and I am surprised to see no message from anyone. I quickly change in my car, pulling out the new black dress. It hugs my curves in every way a dress should, with a long-sleeved lace overlay. It screams sexy and elegant all at once. I finish the look with my favorite nude pumps to show off my long legs.

I quickly run my fingers through my now nearly straight curls and touch up my makeup. I have dark red lipstick in my purse, so I put it on. Though slightly darker than my usual red, it looks fantastic. This dress with the contrasting dramatic lips and soft eyes is a vibe.

Hurrying up and grabbing my purse, I enter the steak house and quickly scan the room, noticing only Graham sitting at a table for six.

Oh shit. Did my phone die?

I can feel the confusion as I reach into my purse and pull out my phone, which is still very much charged, to see no missed messages or calls. That’s when I feel his eyes lock onto me. Looking up from my phone towards him, I smile. He seems to be memorizing every inch of my body in this rather form-fitting dress, and I crave more of his attention. So much so that I may have strutted toward the table. A fuck me smile is plastered across my face.

“Hey there, handsome,” I say as he stands to hug me.

The feeling of his warm, solid body against mine is slightly intoxicating, and I have to fight myself when I want to linger in his touch.

“That dress makes it hard to stay mad at you.”

A huskiness in his voice leaves me feeling flushed as he squeezes a little tighter. My body betrays me, and I have no doubt I have already soaked through my black panties. If this stud wasn’t engaged, I would make a move.

“I know. I am so sorry, but I had no idea you were here alone,” I apologize before breaking our contact.

He reluctantly lets me pull away from him and reaches to pull out the seat directly across from him. He offers it to me, and I smile before looking over to the empty half of the table before sitting down.

“You want to fill me in here?”

“Bre and Chris have decided to have a private celebration,” Graham says with air quotes.

I make a disgusted sound, and he laughs. That laugh just adds to my intoxication, so I try to redirect the conversation, clearing my throat.

“Where’s Katherine?”

An awkward silence falls between us briefly as he sits.

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