Page 87 of Sugar Coated Lies
“Yes. Every day since Daire made the announcement to the farm and showed it off.”
“That was a week ago.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Millie, why didn’t you tell me? I don’t want you to stress because of me.” I noticed a difference in her behavior and was worried it was because I’m engaged to the boss now. To learn it’s just her nerves has me relieved but also flooded with guilt.
I get the ring from my purse and place it on my finger. “I’ll take care of it right now and be right back.”
Millie’s shoulders relax in a way I haven’t seen in, well, a week.
I patter up the steps to Daire’s office. The double doors are open. Huh? I thought he was out doing rounds with the farmers, taking inventory this morning.
I enter the room and find a young man with his back to me, staring out the window that overlooks the parking lot.
He’s tall with dark hair, dressed in a golf polo and casual pants.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
The man turns, his electric blue eyes catching mine, as a smirk forms on his hauntingly beautiful, familiar face.
I stumble back, my heart lodged in my throat. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I would ask you the same, but after seeing the announcement on the farm's Instagram page, I know the answer.” He eyes the ring on my finger. “Congratulations.”
“How do you know I work here? Are you stalking me again?” I thought those days were over.
“Stalking you implies interest. I was simply repaying you with misery for stealing from me.”
“I never stole from you.” I back up toward the doors, ready to call for help. How did he get into Daire's office? Why is he here?
Instead of chasing me, Benedict lowers onto Daire’s desk chair. “Before you go, I thought you might want to know the truth about Daire.”
“You don’t know Daire,” I snap.
“No.” He lets out a dark chuckle and reclines as he hooks his fingers together, his elbows resting on the arms of the chair. “You don’t know Daire. He and I, though, have been friends for years.”
I freeze. “You’re lying.”
“Have a seat and I’ll tell you all about it.”
I shake my head and inch closer to the doors.
“Don’t you want to know why he was in your diner the night you met him, and why he gave you a job here?”
I stop.
“Pity.” He crosses one leg over the other. “He felt sorry for you. Daire’s always had a guilty conscience. Although he’s never gone this far to right his wrongs.”
“What are you talking about?” My heart pounds in my ears, my brain telling me don’t listen while my gut screams don’t move.
“Daire lied to you. He’s been lying to you from the beginning, obviously, because you don't know about me. If you did, you’d know it was my idea to show up at your diner that night. But Daire volunteered to play the prank this time. He pretended not to have money and to be stranded. It was all part of the payback. He also said you lookedbeatwhen I asked for all the gritty details. Could be why he’s gone out of his way to help you.Beatis a strong word. Although you don’t lookbeatanymore.” He gestures to my body, his gaze devouring me.
I shiver, wishing I was wearing pants instead of shorts. I don’t want him ogling any part of me.
I glance at the door, wanting to run.
“Daire won’t be back for a while,” he says. “He told me to wait in his office.”
