Page 36 of Captivated

“Yup. That’s why I had a box in hand the other day when I went to the retirement center. Birdie and I munched on them all the time while I was growing up. And now when we play Scrabble, I always have to have a box.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “That’s adorable. You have a love affair with a snack made for toddlers.”

Cash sits up taller on his side of the booth, challenging me with his eyes. “Hey, Cheez Its can be a grown man’s snack too, alright?”

“Sure, whatever you say,” I giggle, then pop another fry in my mouth.

“So, tell me something else about you that’s honest, since we’re baring our souls to each other right now, guilty food pleasures and all,” he urges before taking an enormous bite of his larger-than-necessary hamburger, a burger so massive it requires you to unhinge your jaw just to eat it.

When Cooper arrived back in town, Cash asked him to drop us off at Apollo Burgers, a hole-in-the-wall type of establishment known for their insane creations. I’ve never eaten a hamburger this intense in my life—a freshly ground patty with bacon and cheese cooked inside, smothered in grilled onions, fresh tomato, pickles, lettuce, and some homemade sauce that is to die for, topped with macaroni and cheese, and smashed between two full-size grilled cheese sandwiches. When Cash suggested it, I thought he was crazy, but he obviously knew what he was talking about. Because it’s incredible. I’ll never be able to finish the entire thing, but the few bites I’ve taken have been orgasmic.

Cash’s mountain of meat is dripping and oozing with sauce as he holds it in front of his mouth, chewing intensely while he waits for me to answer.

And I’m stalling because I don’t know how to respond. How can I tell him something honest when I’ve already lied to him? I told him I’m from Charleston, not New York. He doesn’t even know my real name. There’s only so many details about my life I can offer before he’ll start asking more questions. This is exactly what I was afraid of when it came to tonight.

But then I remember the lie I told Jess earlier this week about Mason, and so I figure I might as well sell that one. If I’m going to tell any stories about my past, I need to aim for consistency, obviously.

“Well, I was engaged once,” I say as I dip my eyes down to focus on my burger and not Cash’s reaction to that news.

“Oh. Wow,” he says, sitting back further in the booth. “Uh, what happened?”

“Well, we were high school sweethearts. He… he died a little over a year ago.” My appetite has instantly dissipated as the lie leaves my lips.

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Piper.” Cash reaches across the table for my hands, stroking his thumb across the top of my hand.

“It’s okay. I’m getting past it.” I shrug.

“Now I feel like an ass pushing you into this date.” Cash shakes his head as I lift my eyes to meet his. Regret is etched into the lines of his face.

“Don’t be. Mason and I are through and he’s obviously not coming back. Regardless of my history with him, I still wanted to get to know you. I really am glad we’re here right now.” Those words are the whole truth—because although Mason isn’t technically dead, he’s dead to me, and I do want to be here with Cash, right in this moment.

“Just let me know if you change your mind, okay? It might kill me, but I don’t want you to do something before you’re ready, Piper.”

I smile at him, genuinely amazed at how compassionate he’s being right now—Cash Williams, the man whore who never dates, is concerned about pressuring me to move too fast. Oh, how things have changed so quickly.

“I’ll tell you, I promise. But don’t be sorry.”

We finish our meal and then exit the restaurant, walking down the sidewalk towards the civic center.

“Isn’t this where the Labor Day event was going on?”

“No, that’s Clove Park. This park is behind the town hall and the library. There’s a dog park and a playground too, over on that side.” He points toward the areas he just described. “If you want to walk around for a bit, we can. Originally, we were supposed to be feasting on chocolate fondue right now for dessert and then I was gonna take you star-gazing, but obviously those plans fell through. Fuck, I’m still pissed our night turned out this way.” I can hear the frustration in his voice and the confidence he usually exhibits dwindle with his words.

“Cash, don’t be. Shit happens.”

“Did you just cuss?” He laughs.

“Uh, yes. Shit. Fuck. Damn. I can use very colorful language when the mood strikes.”

“And now I’ve seen yet another side to you.”

I snicker at his humor and then press on. “The point I’m trying to make here is that sometimes we have no control over the crap that happens. Believe me, if there’s anything I’ve learned in the past year, it’s that things aren’t always what they seem.”

Cash tilts his head at me, narrowing his eyes. “What do you mean by that?”

Flicking my eyes to the right, I try to avoid his. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Grabbing my chin gently and redirecting my head to face him, he stares down at me intently. “That’s not nothing. You can tell me things, Piper. I’m not some secret spy that’s going to spill all of your secrets.”

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