Page 13 of The Liar's Reckoning

His lips curve into a weak smile, but he doesn’t open his eyesor move an inch. “Now you know why all my reviews are five stars.”

I huff. True.

“Well, you’re about to get another one,” I assure him.

“You done with me?” he asks.

Technically, he’s mine for another four hours, but I’m spent. If I wanted another round, I’d need a nap first, and the chances of anything toppingthatare slim. It’s probably best to end things on a high note. “Would you like to shower before you go?”

“If you don’t mind, that’d be great,” he says.

“Have at it.” I pull out, and he winces slightly. “Okay?” I ask.

“All good. I’d give you five stars, too, but I’m guessing your profile is public.”

“Five stars? Really? I mean, I realize I’m not paying you to be honest with me, but?—”

He sits up and pats my cheek, giving me a bright, white smile. “Five stars. Too bad you’re getting married tomorrow and choosing to live a lie for the rest of your life. You’d have been great at this.”

I grab him by the jaw firmly, but not enough to hurt. “That’s not very nice.”

“I just think it’s sad, that’s all. If you don’t want to be sad for yourself, someone should be, you know?”

I frown. Silas’s face is mesmerizing, but his words are tripping me up.

“RIP Gay Graham. He was hot. Gone too soon.”

“Like a shooting star,” I add.

Silas grins again.

“Before you leave, I’d love your best wishes,” I say.

He rolls his eyes and sighs. “Fine. I’ll try to think of something super Catholic to say while I’m in the shower washing the lube out of my asshole.”

I laugh, needing to bite my lip to make myself stop. His gazedrops to my mouth and my chest tightens.That’swhat we haven’t done.

I lean in, but he moves away. “That’s way more than even you can afford, Lawther,” he says and then gets out of bed, closing himself into the bathroom.

I lie down and close my eyes, inhaling the scent of him on the pillow, glad, at least, that I get to spend one whole night withthat.

5

SILAS

FIVE MONTHS LATER

My roommate Drew is spotting one of my other roommates, Eric, on the bench press at the gym where I work as a trainer. I’m wrapping up with a client, and she’s talking my ear off, making me worry about whether I’ll have enough time to shower, change, and grab dinner with the guys like I planned before I have to clock in at my night shift job.

If I have to, I’ll skip the shower. I’m starving.

Drew looks pointedly at his watch, and I nod before turning back to Mia Holland, a Broadway actress who should probably be going now, too. “What time are you supposed to be at the theater?” I ask, interrupting the long story about her new puppy’s second trip to the vet this week.

She glances behind me at the clock on the wall, and her big eyes widen. “Oh my God!” Then she slaps my shoulder. “Shut me up next time, Silas!”

I laugh while she grabs her phone and rushes off to the locker room. Picking up the towel she left behind, I walk over to my roommates as Eric racks his weights.

“She is so cute,” Drew says, not in an I want to date her waybecause he’s got a girlfriend, but Mia is a very cute person. Adorable.

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