Page 67 of Never Tell Lies

Those thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of my phone. I looked at the screen and my heart leapt into my throat.Alfie.I answered immediately.

“My meeting ended early. I’m sending Elliot for you,” he said, not bothering with a greeting.

“Hello, Alfie, my day has been great, thank you so much for asking.”

“Hello, Lola,” he said, not sounding the least bit apologetic. “Elliot will be with you in thirty minutes.”

“Well, tell him to turn around. I can’t see you tonight. My sister’s having drinks with a friend, so I’m babysitting my nephew.”

“He’ll wait until she gets back.”

I took a breath, trying to hold onto my patience. “Alfie, she won’t be back till late. You can wait until tomorrow.”

“Why would I agree to that?” He sounded genuinely confused.

“Because you’re a rational man who understands that I have other things to do?” I said hopefully.

He let out a huff and I could just imagine his eyebrows knitting together. “I want you to come here.”

“I can’t.”

“Then I’ll come there.”

“Absolutely not!” There was no way I wanted him hanging out on my couch when my sister got home.

“Fine.” A sullen silence filled the line. “You’ve been on my mind today.”

“Really?” I said, playing coy. “I didn’t think about you at all.”

“Liar. You’ll think about me tomorrow and then come to me after work. I’m not waiting any longer to have you again.” He hung up, leaving me shaking my head and breathless.

The next day, Bradley joined me in the boutique garden for lunch and we debated once more on adding more perennials to the garden. By the time lunch was over, I’d caved in and agreed to add peonies and coneflowers to the mix.

I headed back into the office just as the phone started to ring. I hurried to answer it.

“Lola, are you alone?” Alfie cut me off before I could start my regular work greeting.

“Alfie, what is your issue with saying hello to a person? Yes, I’m alone. What kind of question is that?”

“Mark isn’t at the office with you?”

“No, I’m by myself,” I answered, starting to get suspicious. “Why?”

“Does your door have a lock on it?”

“Um yes…why?” I asked again. “Do you want me to lock it?”

“Not yet.” I heard the rev of an engine in the background and realised he must be in a car. “What are you wearing today?”

“A dress, why do you ask? What is going on?” He was starting to make me nervous.

“I want you to take off your underwear for me.” I froze, words failing to find me. I must have been silent for too long because he got impatient for a response. “Did I stutter, Lola?”

I inhaled a shaking breath, trying to calm my racing pulse. “Alfie, I’m not having phone sex at work. There are sixty year old ladies buying hydrangeas right outside.”

“Take them off.” The background noise of a car died down, the engine switching off.

“Why?” I whispered, as if someone might hear me.

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