Page 97 of Never Tell Lies

“Already? Do you two do anything other than fight and fuck?” As usual, she’d hit the nail right on the head and, to my horror, I burst into tears. I didn’t mean to, but I ended up telling her everything, in way more graphic detail than she needed. She listened in silence, an impressive feat for Keira, and when I was finished there was a pause, silent except for my sniffling.

“That bitch is a total psycho, isn’t she?” As usual Keira had managed to sum up a complex issue into ten words or less, and I let out a strained half laugh. “He really didn’t believe you?”

“No, he was completely on her side. I’m so mad, Keira. I feel so betrayed and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”

“Maybe you should try and see it from his side? He has known Angie for a long time. I know that if I’d been dating someone for a few weeks and they told me you’d been a bitch to them, I’d probably think they were making it up too. You see my point?”

“Yeah.” I really didn’t want to see her point but it did make sense. We talked a minute longer and arranged to have lunch sometime this week before hanging up.

I hurried across the car park. My call with Keira had made me pretty late. I stepped into the cabin and let out a yell.

“Is this the time you keep when I’m not here?” Mark was sitting at his desk, looking less than impressed. His eyebrows knitted together as he took in my tear-stained face. “Is everything alright?’

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I wiped at my cheeks and sat down to switch my computer on. “How’s your mum doing? Is she better?”

“A little.”

“Good, that’s really good. I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too. Actually,” he opened his desk drawer and produced a small pink and white orchid in a white pot. “I got you this. It’s a gift, a thank you for holding down the fort.” He crossed the small space between our desks and I stood to take it from him. I was stunned.

“Don’t you like it?”

“Yes, of course! It’s beautiful, thank you.” I smiled up at him, admiring the plant.

“You’re welcome. Now, catch me up on everything.”

I spent the morning getting Mark up to speed on everything. There was still no word from college about my application and I tried not to let it bother me.

Around mid-afternoon, Mark announced he was leaving early to visit his mother at the hospital. I tried to make small talk with him as he packed up his things but truthfully, I was finding it difficult just to keep from falling apart. Alfie had been plaguing me all day.

“By the way, I spoke to Riley Fitzpatrick this morning,” Mark said, startling me out of my Alfie-riddled thoughts “He told me that your meeting with him didn’t go too well. He said something about your designs being less than impressive? Didn’t I tell you I wanted to see your designs before you presented them?”Oh, crap.

“Right…yes, that’s true. I apologise, I forgot you wanted to see them. Luckily, he’s giving me another crack at it and I’ve already been back to the plot since then and have reworked a new design that I hope to present him soon. I’ll show it to you when it’s ready.” Not a total lie. The basic designwasreworked, it was just that most of it was in my head.

“Wasn’t your last meeting on Friday?” I nodded, wondering where he was going with this. “So you’ve been to Harrington House over the weekend? Riley never mentioned that.”Doublecrap.How was I going to explain this? I was spared the ordeal by a knock at the door. Mark answered it to find a small, plump woman holding a basket almost as big as her, full to the brim with the biggest blueberry muffins I’d ever seen.

“Delivery for Lola O’Connell?” I signed for them and when she was gone I found Mark’s eyes narrowed at me.

“I guess you have an admirer. Who are they from?” He nodded at the card attached, clearly wanting me to open it.

“Oh, it’s probably just from Keira. I’ll read it later.”

He nodded slowly, as if he knew I was feeding him bullshit. His gaze was starting to make me itch and I felt a surge of relief when he finally left.

I moved my orchid to the other side of my desk, away from the muffins, and pulled the card out of the basket. I opened it, mentally preparing for the emotional wrench it was sure to cause.

We need to talk.

A.

Yep, there it was. The emotional wrench. The note was written in his own hand and I could imagine him speaking the words, the coldness in his eyes as he said them.

I picked a muffin out of the basket and pulled off a small piece, chewing it slowly, savouring the taste. Of course it was delicious, the highest quality. Everything with Alfie was always of the highest quality.

The end of the day finally came. I flung my bag over my shoulder, trying to juggle it with my keys and the Orchid from Mark. The thing had bothered me all afternoon, sitting on my desk, staring at me.Judging.I was going to take it home and put it somewhere I wouldn’t have to see it too often.

I also carried a muffin for Natalie and Ryan in a take out box from the cafe. The rest I’d handed around to the staff.

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