Page 65 of The Liar's Reckoning

“They were stupid questions,” he says simply. “So what’s up with you? Did you go to Queens today?”

“Yeah, yeah. Mom and Trix are good. If you don’t have plans for Thanksgiving, you’re invited.”

“Working,” he says.

“I’ll bring you leftovers.”

“You gonna tell me what happened with Ben?” he asks.

I sigh. “I fucked up.”

“What was he like?”

“Apologetic,” I say. “Handsy.”

“You slept with him?”

I scrub a hand over my face. “We didn’t havesexsex, but I might as well have. Then I bolted. It’s been radio silence since.”

“He hasn’t reached out?”

“No. I mean, what the fuck?”

“Define bolted.”

“I snuck out in the morning, hungover as hell.”Went to the park, fucked a senator.

“Huh.”

“I know, right? For someone who seemed all interested in being forgiven, it’s weird isn’t it?”

“Maybe he’s licking his wounds?”

While I should like the sound of that—serves him right—the words are like a smothering blanket of guilt. “Do I owe him something? Like—do I owe him another chance?”

“No. Hell no. But at the same time, since he left, you haven’t exactly been pounding the pavement looking for his replacement.”

“Long term relationships lack some of the old appeal if you know what I’m saying.”

“I get that, but you’re also kind of a relationship guy,” Chris says, running a hand through his hair. It falls straight back into place, framing his forehead and pretty face. The black eyeliner he often wears when we go out makes his blue eyes vivid and intense.

“You only say that because you met me when I was in one.”

“You seemed to like it.”

“I likedhim.”

“And you’re not sure you do anymore?” he accurately guesses.

“Being with him—like before I was so drunk I couldn’t feel anything—was literally like rubbing salt in a raw wound.”

“Still raw huh?” Christian asks with a grimace.

“I didn’t think it was, and then—yeah. I’m still so pissed, but then we were dancing and it all kind of…melted off.”

Chris’s lips purse before he takes a sip of his drink.

“I mean is it possible to be in love with someone when they’re standing in front of you and completely indifferent when they’re not?”

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