Page 151 of Reverse

“You’re a pain in the ass,” I call after his retreating back, testing the waters.

Dad turns back to me, his expression a mix of amusement and adoration. “And you’re the light of my life.” He retreats then, walking through the pit towards his office as a tidal wave of guilt washes over me.

Jesus Christ.

Heart pounding, back soaking wet, I shift my focus on Holly while mentally replaying the last few seconds of lies as she prompts me for a reply.

“Natalie, what lady stuff?”

“Oh, I made that appointment with your waxing lady.”Truth.

“So, that makes me an infant?”

“I said, bare as an infant.”

Oh. My. God.

I’m met with what can only be described as a horrified silence before banging my earpiece against my forehead. “Can you hear me?” I ask, “My desk phone has been acting up this morning. What’s up?”

“I hope like hell I misheard you. Why are you being weird about a lady wax and honestly . . . fucking disturbing?”

“It’s been the longest first hour of a workday in the history of ever, Holly. I haven’t even had my first cup of coffee, and Dad’s already driving me crazy.”

Lie.

My secrets are driving me crazy.

Being in a secret relationship with my father’s ex-fiancée’s son is driving me crazy.

Being in love with a man I haven’t admitted it to is driving me crazy.

Reporting every exciting aspect of my new relationship to myhorseis driving me bat shit.

The fact that I’m lying to everyone close to me—and doing it so horribly—is making things much, much worse.

“I’m j-just frazzled . . . and busy. Can l call you back?”

“What the hell? Can I not get five minutes? You canceled Chuy’s on us. You never miss Chuy’s, and that’s why we chose the damn restaurant because you wereguaranteedto show. Even Damon is starting to feel jilted by you. He thinks we’re being replaced.”

“He said that?”

“Yeah, he did, right before he picked up our waitress,” she utters dryly.

“The one with the beauty mark?”

“That’s the one.”

“Well, she’s ugly.”

“You’re a terrible liar,” she sighs.

“Trust me, I’m aware. I’m sorry, babe.”

“Whatever. It’s just Damon being Damon. You think I would be used to it by now, right?”

“He’s an idiot.”

“An idiot who’s now shitting where we eat. Not cool.”

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