Page 14 of The Lies
I continue looking at Blake when the waitress walks off.
“What?” he asks with a smile.
“You just surprise me sometimes, that’s all.”
“Because I know wine and I like to eat olives? I hope you didn’t think I was some stereotypical builder type, Addison, because that would be really hypocritical of you after complaining about me thinking you were a princess.” I can tell by his tone that he’s not annoyed, but nonetheless, I feel pissed off with myself that what he’s just said is true.
“I guess you can call me a hypocrite then,” I say with a shrug.
“I think we’ve both been a lesson to each other and I can’t wait for you to smash a few more stereotypes I may have,” he says with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“Like what?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he says while he thinks. “That you don’t spend every Saturday morning getting your hair and nails done.”
“I used to,” I admit, much to his amusement. “Juliette and I had a weekly date, although I think it was more of an excuse for her to have a couple of kid-free hours and I was more than happy to oblige. Anyway, those days are long gone,” I say, looking down at my hands. “I can hardly have my nails all the colours of the rainbow while making people food.”
“You don’t need all that anyway; you’re beautiful just as you are,” Blake says, just before the waitress returns with our wine. I have to look away because the sincerity in his voice brings a lump to my throat. Edward never complimented me, ever, so it’s a bit of a novelty having Blake be so open with his opinions of how I look. I didn’t realise it before Blake started saying all these things but I really needed to hear them.
“Perfect, thank you,” Blake says after tasting the wine—another thing I never would’ve expected him to do. We both place our food orders and we’re left alone again.
“Are you fan of good wine? I’d have had you down for a beer drinker.”
“I’ve learnt to like it over the past few years,” is all he says before changing the subject. “So, tell me about Kenny?”
“Ugh, really?”
“Yes, I want to learn about little Addison.”
“I was a shy little geek back then,” I admit. “I was miles away from the cool gang that Jason was a part of. I had no idea he knew who I was really and I’d put that nickname behind me a long time ago.”
“Where’d you get it?”
“When we first started primary school I used to hide in the corner with my coat hood up. Someone, who obviously had older brothers and sisters, had seen South Park—or the characters at least—and they started calling me Kenny. I think most of the kids had no idea why I was called it and presumed it was because of my surname but it stuck. I didn’t mind it so much but as I grew up it always reminded me of the shy little timed girl I was. It was a reminder that I was never going to be one ofthem.”
“You had a crush of Jason, didn’t you?”
“I…uh…” I stutter feeling my face heat. “A little, I guess.”
“It’s okay, Addison. It was a long time ago, I’m not going to be threatened by it.”
“Fine then, yes I did.”
When Blake starts laughing, I can’t help but do the same. I’m not sure if it’s the company or the wine on my very empty stomach, but I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.
I really want to ask more about Jason but I feel a little awkward showing too much interest now I’ve admitted I used to fancy him. Thankfully, the food arrives and distracts us from the previous conversation.
“I’m going to have to go back to London at some point. I’ve got a load of stuff to sort out. My darling ex-husband’s said I can have the contents of our apartment so I need to figure out what I’m going to do with it all.”
“I’ll come with you,” Blake states, surprising me.
“Don’t be silly. You’re needed here.”
“I’m not,” he argues. “I don’t want you going back there to deal with that on your own.”
“I won’t be on my own. Juliette will help.”
“Maybe so but I don’t like it. Tell me when you’re planning on going and I’ll sort it.”
