Page 3 of Lie for a Lie

The female’s eyes dart back and forth between me and the hunk of a man next to me. Walking straight over, and shoving herself into the small space between us, I lean back in my seat as she grabs my wine the bartender had placed in front of Graham, and offers me the fakest smile I have ever seen.

She then turns to Graham and makes sure to straighten out his already straight collar before putting her left hand on his chest. Her massive and beautiful princess-cut diamond is on full display.

Ah! He is engaged.

His blue eyes glare at the redhead. Not exactly in a way I call loving.

“Hi, I’m Katherine. Graham’s fiancé,” the red-headed bitch says.

Graham gives me a wicked, apologetic smile before she pulls him away by his blue button-down shirt. Smile gone the second his attention is fully back on Katherine. I linger on the interaction, but I’m not really sure how to process it. All I want to do is flirt some more with Graham.

“Come on, the table is ready. Chris is over there.”

Bre excitedly grabs my hand, pulling me off the barstool and snapping me back to reality. Quickly, grabbing my things, following her to the table.

“That was a little aggressive, right?” I ask Bre, taking her hand.

She stops and turns back towards me, almost confused.

“Who, Katherine? She is a little off.”

Bre shrugs, attempting to move us forward again. I grip her hand tighter, and Bre stills long enough to turn and look at me.

“Happy birthday,” I say nervously, handing her the card.

Bre smiles as she pulls the card from the envelope. When she opens it, she glares at me, and I let out a small laugh. Her glare fills with tears almost immediately, and she looks at me in disbelief.

“Paige, are we finally taking our trip?”

Bre’s excitement is contagious, and I can’t help but smile.

“I had some help from a travel agent. All I need is for you to confirm the dates work for you.”

“This is so amazing, Paige. Thank you!” Bre says, pulling me back into her arms.

We hug momentarily before Bre regains her composure and takes over the situation again. I don’t fight her this time as we walk toward our table.

Chapter 2

Paige

Val’s has stayed the same over the past decade, and tonight the owner went all out for Bre’s birthday. They have allowed us to use a private room fully decorated with Bre’s favorite light pink roses. White plates with rose gold trim and matching serving ware that just screams Bre. A small pink cake sits in the middle of the table for six.

However, Bre informs me that Chris’ roommate has something come up, leaving Bre, Chris, me, Chris’s super-hot friend Graham, and his possibly mentally unstable fiancée, Katherine.

What can go wrong?

“So, Paige, what do you do for work?” Chris asks, catching my attention.

Even though I know Bre has probably already told him. I make it a point to give a soft smile.

Chris is traditionally handsome with dirty blonde, almost brown hair and piercing soft green eyes. He seems funny and is already clearly obsessed with my sister. They haven’t stopped touching each other since we sat down.

“Well, Chris, I’m positive my sister has already over-shared our whole lives with you since she brags constantly.”

I add a wink. Chris lets out a small laugh, and I catch Graham grinning before sipping his whiskey. Bre just glares at me like always.

“Fair enough,” he says with a chuckle. “Let me try that again. Paige, Bre told me you were a nurse. Do you like the work?”

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