Page 61 of The Lies I've Told
“Well, you’re welcome.”
“But let’s not forget, you have a tendency to make rash decisions when shit hits the fan.”
My eyes found Millie once again in the mirror as I let out a long-winded sigh. I leaned against the counter, suddenly feeling heavier than I had before, like I was carrying the weight of the world.
“When do I leave?” I asked.
“Tomorrow,” he said. “Just in time for—”
“I know,” I said, cutting him off. “I’ll be there.”
I hung up before he could say any more, feeling the walls drawing closer.
Reality was coming, and I wasn’t ready for it.
Not even close.
By the time I finished up with James, Millie was more or less ready to go. Deciding to skip the sketchy shower after all, she’d gotten dressed and packed up what little things she had back in her purse. Her hair was braided to the side, and even though she wore little to no makeup today, she was still gorgeous.
Maybe even more so.
I liked seeing the normally polished, put-together woman a little disheveled, especially knowing I was the reason she was so out of sorts.
“You ready to go?” she asked as I finished tying my last sneaker.
“Yes, you?”
She nodded. I could sense a tension that hadn’t been there earlier.
“You heard my phone call?” I said, stepping closer, the warmth from her body like a beacon to mine.
“Yes,” she simply said, her eyes focused on the grungy carpet.
Cupping her chin, I tilted her head upward until those baby blue eyes I adored were gazing into mine.
“You’re leaving?”
I simply nodded.
I could see the struggle in her eyes as she shifted away from me. “I should probably go, too.”
Panic filled my lungs.
“Come with me,” I said without thinking. I did a lot of that around her.
“What?” Her eyes were wide with shock.
Mine probably were, too.
“Come with me,” I said again. “Have you ever seen New York through the eyes of a real New Yorker? I’ll take you to all the best places. You can watch me geek out at museums.”
She grinned, excitement already blooming across her beautiful face.
“Are you sure? It sounded like you were needed for something.”
I scoffed, “That? It’s not a big deal. And, besides, it’s at night. You won’t even know I’m gone.” I tried not to look away as I lied.
It was a big deal.
