Page 73 of Lie for a Lie

I hear what sounds like someone climbing in the boat and see Bre glowing as she reaches for the wine coolers to pull out three.

Part of me is relieved to see her, but I want to know more about what Katherine means. I pop open the wine cooler and let my mind race as we sit, drinking silently and watching the boys finish packing up.

Chapter 36

Paige

Clint looks as handsome as always, sitting across from me at the table. We have been hiding here for over an hour because Katherine has decided to make one of her rare appearances, which is awkward as always. I have been telling him about how I have been thinking about working at a trauma center in Denver for a few months.

“I think that sounds like a pretty cool opportunity,” he says with a smile.

“Maybe. There are a few details I need to figure out first.”

I don’t want to specify anything further. My head has been a mess since we got back from the river. I even have gone a few days without returning Graham’s texts or calls before caving yesterday.

“He would wait for you,” Clint says with a chuckle before sipping his wine.

I lock my eyes on him, deciding how to proceed with this conversation.

“I’m not worried about Seth,” I say in a playful tone.

Clint takes another sip of his wine.

“Who said I was talking about Seth?” he asks in a tone that he usually saves for Graham.

“Why do I have to keep reminding everyone he is engaged?”

I try to sound irritated, but I don’t think Clint buys it.

“He isn’t in love with Katherine,” Clint says with so much certainty that I am startled.

Bre’s voice drifts in from the kitchen as she joins us at the table.

“He isn’t wrong, you know. Tell Clint about the river.”

I could have killed her then and can tell this is an unavoidable conversation. Curiosity finally gets the better of Clint.

“What happened at the river?”

“Nothing,” I bark too quickly as a mischievous smile dances across Clint’s face.

He turns to Bre, repeating his question.

“What happened at the river?”

I can’t help but laugh at the desperate need in his voice and shake my head when Bre proceeds to recap the whole day’s events in between her uncomfortable, mushy love stories. I honestly feel like it is an over-share, and I pray none of the guys walk into this little gossip session.

I roll my eyes.

“He isn’t my boyfriend, Clint.”

“Please, he has never looked at her like he does you,” Bre says with a wink as she sits.

Realizing the wink isn’t toward me but toward Graham.

Who was now occupying the space behind me.

He smiles and kisses my cheek before sitting next to me. I can’t help but smile and shift my attention toward him.

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