Page 34 of Fairy Tale Lies
“Be quiet,” Greta hissed, glancing at the elderly couple at the next table who were now watching them. “I’m with him because I like his company. And, like I’ve said, we’re meeting in public places, not each other’s homes. What are we supposed to do, be intimate in a dark parking lot or alley?”
If she were honest, the situation bothered her.A lot. This was supposed to be carefree fun, playing around with their crackling chemistry, but the more time she spent with him, the more she dreaded her return to Lansing.
Andthey hadn’t even done a thing to quell the crushing attraction, which sat front and center in her mind, driving her crazy. She never had him alone. And, darn it, she wanted him alone and naked.
This side of her was shameful but undeniable. The need to be in his arms again was almost compulsive. She wanted the pleasure, the comfort. He allowed her wild side to shine and didn’t shame her for it. The freedom to feel without restraint was freeing. Lately, she craved it like the sun or fresh air.
Greta caught sight of their waiter approaching and prayed Cindy wouldn’t answer her rhetorical question about where she and Jacob should have sex. She placed her napkin on her lap and tipped her head pointedly at the waiter, hoping her sister would get the point.
Thankfully, Cindy remembered her manners and dropped the conversation when their waiter set their plates in front of them and refilled their wine glasses. He asked if they needed anything else. After they said no and thanked him, he left.
Once their server was out of earshot, Cindy made a shooing gesture at Greta. “Enough of this chatter. Fret about your boy toy on your own time. Let’s get back to my original complaint.Again. I want time with you. I miss you.”
Greta swallowed her annoyance. “I miss you too, but I’m not interested in clubbing.”
“I wasn’t going to suggest it.”
“Uh-huh.”
Her sister lived for nightclubs.
“Honest.” Cindy turned her palms up in an ‘I’m-not-hiding-anything gesture’. “I want you to go with me to Jane Glengarry’s midsummer party. I bet some of your old friends will be there. When was the last time you saw them? Don’t you miss them? If not for me, do it for yourself?” She finished with saccharine sweetness, like a woman who knew she was getting her way.
With a sigh of defeat, Greta reached for her fork. “Forget modeling. You’d make a great lawyer or politician. You have the gift of persuasion.”
“Does this mean you’ll go with me?” Cindy’s smile was broad and triumphant.
Greta sighed. She was such a push-over. “Of course.”
Chapter Fourteen
Greta followed Cindy through the sliding door and onto the stone patio. Standing under its two tiers, Greta scanned the backyard. Jane’s party was a success. People milled all over the expansive yard and appeared in high spirits, laughing, dancing, and drinking.
They moved past the double balconies, and Greta took in the night’s gorgeous summer stars and the many fairy lights tangled in the branches of almost every tree. Her gaze shifted from the sky back to the yard. Candles floated serenely in a lagoon-style pool. Farther in, a band was playing old school hits to the delight of those letting loose on a large wooden dance floor.
“Meier, is that you?”
Greta recognized the voice and twisted around to find her old high school friend, Lily, standing a few feet away. Her smile widened, matching Greta’s. They hugged, squealing in delight. Lily’s chestnut brown hair and clothing style were more subdued than in past years, but she still had the same mischievous smile.
“I knew it was you,” Lily said. She leaned back, checking Greta out. “It’s great to see you, though surprising. Aren’t you supposed to be taking classes through the summer? What are you doing back home?”
“Sorry I haven’t called. I’ve been staying with my father while interning at his company. It takes up most of my time.” Greta’s gaze flickered away at the slight lie.
Cindy gave a sarcastic snort. “Work. Yeah, that’s it.”
Lily tilted her head, clearly waiting for an explanation. To Greta’s relief, her sister’s attention shifted to a man standing by the pool. She said something about needing to talk to Owen and left.
Greta nodded, though her sister missed it. She was already down the two stairs and moving toward the pool.
“Want to get a drink?” Greta asked Lily.
She agreed, and they walked to the bar built into one side of the balcony’s frame. Two bartenders were hard at work, mixing, pouring, and chatting.
They scooted between bodies at the packed bar, and Lily asked, “Did you come here with your sister or Blake?”
Greta’s blood froze; her buoyant mood turned sour in a single heartbeat. “He’s here?”
Lily raised her hand, getting the attention of a bartender. After they gave their orders, she faced Greta. “Yeah… and by your expression, I’d say you didn’t come here with Blake?”
