Page 58 of Lie for a Lie

“Graham did, and Chris said he put in for the time off. Worse case you two get stuck together.”

Her smile tells me everything I need to know.

“Do you not like Seth?”

“I don’t trust him,” Bre says flatly.

“Why?”

“He just doesn’t seem like someone worth trusting to me.”

I want to be mad at her, but I might have wondered the same thing more than once. But there is something else I want to know.

“And you trust Graham?”

I meet her eyes, and I know she is painfully aware of what I feel for Graham. I have never felt like this before.

“With my life.” Before she adds, “And what’s with all the daisies? Seth doesn’t know you because it would be tulips if he did. We both know that. Mom was the one who always had daisies everywhere.”

“I like daisies.” I smile half-heartedly before dropping my fork on my plate. “I love Seth. The gift is sweet.”

“Do you love Seth? Because I wonder sometimes, and maybe you should take some time to figure that out before you start telling people that. Seth only seems to love sleeping with you.”

I’m not sure why the words hurt. I just reach for my wine before sighing.

“Whoever would like to join us on the trip is welcome. All I care about is that we have a good time.”

I almost freeze at the words. The realization of the small unit her relationship with Chris has created for us. The people who now live in our lives.

“What?” I ask, just feeling the weight of her stare.

“Just don’t put Graham on the back burner. I think you’ll regret it,” Bre says softly.

I laugh and then remember how Graham always makes me feel without saying a word.

“He isn’t,” I say firmer than intended.

“Has anything happened between you two?” Bre asks with some serious curiosity.

I am not annoyed and want to talk to someone who isn’t as delusional as David. It’s all he asks about since I mentioned the FaceTime calls. He keeps saying I need to flash my goods at Graham and get it over with.

“No. I don’t know how to explain what is happening. I haven’t experienced it before. We just always seem to gravitate towards each other. Ever since your birthday.” I let out a long sigh. “The night after Katherine’s overdose, I was working and decided to check on her on my break. I was surprised when Graham was there. That night, when his eyes met mine, my chest ached differently. I brushed it off at the time, but now, sometimes I wonder if it was something.”

I reach for the wine bottle and refill my empty cup. Bre watches my every move, reading me like a well-worn copy of a book.

“And what about Seth? Do you get these feelings from him?”

Her question is the same one I have been asking myself for weeks. I sip from my wine, and panic settles in my stomach.

“No,” I say, meeting her eyes. “He makes me feel sexy, and I enjoy spending time with him. But I can’t stop hoping some guy I only met a few months ago will leave his awful fiancée.”

“You and I know Graham isn’t some guy for you, Paige.”

I am self-aware enough to know my feelings for both men, but I am afraid that I will somehow lose Graham with the truth.

“He isn’t interested in me, Bre,” I lie to both of us.

Bre just glares at me before smiling. I contemplate telling her about my daily FaceTime conversations with Graham but opt for something less stressful.

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