Page 142 of The Liar's Reckoning

“I don’t even think they know each other’s real names,” she says. “How did he seem with you last time?”

Last time was last weekend. “Quiet. I was actually surprised when you said he wanted to see me tonight.”

She frowns. “He does. He asked.”

“Okay.” If she says so. I won’t get a straight answer out of him, so her assurance is as good as it’s gonna get.

“So, Silas. I was wondering something.”

“Okay…”

“I realize we met under unusual circumstances, but I feel like we’re pretty cool, right? Unless you’re pretending.”

“Is that your question? Whether I’m pretending to like you?”

She nods.

“I’m not.”

She gives me a bright, perfectly white smile. Her unremarkable brown hair is pulled back tonight revealing her pale,freckled cheeks and her high forehead. “Really? You can be honest. I won’t take it too personally.”

“And you won’t take it out of my paycheck?”

She laughs. “I promise.”

I do like Lilah. She’s a breath of fresh air. She reminds me of the Broadway actress I used to train in that other life I used to have. Effervescent. Bold. Occasionally adorable. She’s short, but she’s a good dance partner, and an amazing sister to Gil. Although, I guess, some people would question her sisterly choices.

“It’s hard to consider you a friend because you pay me, but I do trust you to whatever extent I can these days. And, yes. I like you.”

“What if I want to beyourfriend?”

“Why would you wantthat?” I ask, wrinkling my nose, teasing.

“Because I trust you, too. As much asIcan.”

“So, if we become official friends, what does that look like for me?”

She snorts another laugh. “I don’t know. Maybe we text each other memes we think will make each other laugh from time to time. Is that how friends work?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“It’s a start?”

“You could be my running partner.”

She lifts a perfectly micro-bladed brow. “Yeah?”

I shrug. “I run early.”

“So do I.” She says it like a challenge.

“I run fast.”

Another snort. “Oh yeah? I could totally take you.”

I grin down at her, adding an extra adoring factor for any onlookers. “You might learn more about me than you bargained for. I think out loud when I run.”

“Sounds fascinating. But I probably won’t notice because whenIrun, I listen to sick beats.”

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