Page 86 of The Truths that Deceive

“If he didn’t recognize you, I’d rather keep it that way. Right now, I’m out with my new piece.”

Her smile flirts. “So you want to drag that piece home and fuck it when it isn’t moody and intimate?”

“You got it.” I lean in. “You’re not bad. For a piece.”

“Your misogyny is showing.”

I laugh. “Thank you.”

“Not a compliment.”

“You say that now…”

But she snuggles in, playing her part perfectly. After the drinks arrive, she says, “I know you have a heart in there, Smith, because you love your daughter. Why don’t you make moves to fix the relationship?”

“I told you things weren’t on good terms,” I mutter.

“Yeah.”

“She’s marrying my friend, who wants me there, and she—I don’t think she does. And I’d rather not go.”

“Bullshit.”

“Excuse me?”

Calista pulls back as more people pour into the place. The lighting starts to brighten, the music gets a little chirpier. “I don’t buy that crap for a second.”

“It isn’t your business. But,” I say, giving her something, “I wasn’t there for her growing up. It was the safest thing for her, but I wasn’t a constant in her life. I protected her by being the asshole missing father. And no, I don’t think I’m going to the fucking wedding.”

She stares at me, not moving. “You want to go.”

“No. I don’t.”

“You do.”

The music picks up, and I stand, dropping some cash on the table. “Come on, we have to go. Now.”

It’stime to leave Miami, so we head to a private airfield and board the waiting plane.

“Is this one going to blow up?” Her smart mouth makes me smile.

“Nah, I limit blown-up planes to one a week. Otherwise, it turns into a paperwork nightmare.”

She rolls her eyes, then turns to climb the stairs up to the plane.

Calista curls up and falls asleep in one of the plush leather recliners almost immediately. Watching her in that state is endlessly fascinating. I let my mind wander, play over the evening to see if anything jumps out about her Johnny, but I keep returning to one thing.

What I said at the jazz club.

About Dakota.

I said it to get closer to her and gain her trust. That was the plan.

But it festers in my mind because I realize that it was the most honest I’ve been with anyone in a long time.

A very long time.

And it’s the type of honesty I never thought I’d share again.

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