Page 22 of Lie for a Lie

“Do you want to know, or are you looking for ammunition for your next interaction?”

It is a fair question. I am sexually attracted to him, and he is in a long-term relationship with that red-headed bitch, so I answer honestly.

“Both.”

He leans back in his chair and sips the whiskey on the table. A half smile dances across his lips as his eyes linger on mine before he answers.

“Still with her mom in Arizona.” He clears his throat. “Can I ask a question now?”

I smile. “Sure.”

“What did you think of Seth? Chris told me you went out on a double date after we ran into each other at the gym.”

Part of me isn’t surprised he is asking, but there seems to be something more in the question, and I am not sure how to answer him.

“Yeah, Bre’s idea. We had a good time but haven’t seen each other since.”

Graham seems to just linger on me for a moment before smiling softly.

“Seth would do anything for Chris. They were inseparable while Chris was in college.”

“Aren’t you and Seth friends?” I ask, slightly confused.

“Not really.”

I linger on him a moment, and right as I go to ask him to elaborate, a woman appears with bread and water for the table as the staff clears away the two-thirds of the table we aren’t using. We just let silence float between us, eyes locked until we are alone again at a table now for two, and there is only one question I want to ask him.

“Why didn’t you text me everyone else canceled?”

He looks almost relieved.

“I didn’t have your number.”

I smile and lean forward in my seat, reaching out and gesturing for his phone.

“I think we need to change that.”

His smile is broad when he pulls his phone out of his suit jacket pocket, unlocks it, and hands it to me. I notice his lock screen has a picture of him, Chris, and an older gentleman, all decked out in red and yellow football gear, in front of a football stadium.

I smile as I save my name and number, and Graham hasn’t taken his eyes off me. I can tell a million things are running through his mind.

“Work run late?” Is the question he finally settles on.

I watch him momentarily, then return to his phone and text myself to save his number.

“Yes, towards the end of my shift, I had a pretty sick patient, and the universe decided I had to work a little bit harder today,” I say with a soft, sad smile.

“Well, I have seen your work firsthand and know they were in competent hands.”

I feel my cheeks flush, and I lean back fully into my chair, placing down his cell phone. I also have a million thoughts running through my mind.

“I just know how not to panic.”

I shrug. His ocean-blue eyes stare through me.

The waiter appears next to us at the table.

“Are you ready to order?”

---