Page 30 of Count My Lies

“You mean you and her?” I ask, frowning.

Jay straightens, shuts the dishwasher, and nods. “Yeah, has she said anything?” he repeats.

I’m still not sure what he’s getting at. “Like what?”

He studies me, his eyes searching mine. Then he gives a shrug, a shake of his head, a sheepish smile. “Nothing. Forget it.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

He nods, but there’s something about the way his mouth is set that makes me not so sure. For a moment, the kitchen is silent. I feel uneasy,a little disoriented. What is he talking about? Is there something Violet is keeping from me?

I chew on my lip, staring at him. He doesn’t look back at me. Instead, he glances at the clock on the microwave, the blue neon numbers glowing. I’m about to ask if he’ssureeverything is okay, but he speaks before I do.

“I should finish getting ready for work,” he says.

But I don’t want him to go, not yet. I like talking to him. I wish I didn’t, but I do. “How’s it going?” I blurt out. It’s all I can think of. “Work, I mean.”

“Good.” Jay shrugs. “But I’m expected to be clothed.” He grins at me. “I’m not sure it’s appropriate for the founder to show up half-dressed.”

“That seems so old-fashioned,” I joke back. “What is this, the 1950s?”

“So you don’t think anyone would mind if I went in like this?” he asks, looking down at himself, then back up at me.

“I wouldn’t,” I say, then blush, face reddening. Jesus, did I just say that out loud? “I’m just kidding. I mean, yes, a shirt is probably a good idea.” I can’t get the words out fast enough. He’s going to think I’m deranged. Frankly,Ithink I’m deranged.

Jay’s grin widens, clearly amused.

Then, thank god, I’m saved by the figurative bell. The front door opens and shuts loudly. Violet’s home.

“I’m so sorry, Cait!” she calls out. “One of the other moms cornered me. She wouldn’t—”

She walks into the kitchen, midsentence, then stops short, seeing Jay. “Oh,” she says. “I didn’t think you’d still be here.”

I feel embarrassed suddenly, sitting here with her shirtless husband,my crush written all over my face in thick, black Sharpie. I can feel the heat rise again in my face.

“I’m just leaving,” Jay says. Still holding his coffee mug, he takes his plate from the counter and puts it into the sink.

“Like that?” Violet asks. She raises an eyebrow, then winks at me. Jay makes a face at her, something between a smirk and a grimace, before starting toward the living room.

“Wait, before you go, Jay…” Violet calls after him. He turns, pausing beneath the high arch of the doorframe. “I was going to invite Caitlin on the boat on Sunday. You have it on your calendar, right?”

Without waiting for his answer, she turns to me. “We always take a boat out for my birthday,” she says. “I wanted to see if you wanted to come, too.” Then, to Jay, “Caitlin’s birthday is two days before mine. I thought it would be fun to celebrate together.” She looks from Jay back to me, smiling. “I meant to ask you earlier, but it snuck up on me this year. Want to join us?”

I feel a rush. I think of the calendar on the wall in my room, both our birthdays circled in marker. I’ve been waiting for this invitation as the days neared, waiting, wishing, hoping. “Yes!” I say. “I’d love to. That sounds so fun. Just the four of us?”

Violet nods. “Is that okay?”

“Of course,” I say. I beam. It’s more than okay. It’s great, just as I’d imagined.

“Did you make a reservation?” Jay asks. His voice sounds oddly strained.

She nods. “Last week. Why, do you have to work? I already told Harper that—”

“No, it’s fine,” he interrupts. “That’s fine with me.”

“Great!” Violet says, grinning at me. “We’re booked at ten.”

Jay nods. “Okay.” Then, “I really have to run. I have a meeting at nine thirty.” He picks upAnd Then There Were Nonefrom the counter and holds it up. “Thanks again, Caitlin. I appreciate it.”

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