Page 92 of Sugar Coated Lies
“Can I let him in?” She stands.
“I’m in my pajamas.” I glance at the nightshirt and cotton shorts she gave me to sleep in. “My hair is a mess.” I touch the disheveled black strands. “I’m sure my face is swollen.”
“You look beautiful. I’m sure he’ll think so. But did you brush your teeth? Because there may be some kissing and making up, and you don’t want stinky breath for that.”
I jump up and race to the bathroom.
“There’s a spare toothbrush in the drawer,” she calls out.
I find a dentist to-go bag in the drawer, complete with a toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste. Smart. I brush my teeth and decide at the last second that I need a shower. As soon as the water runs, two soft taps knock at the door.
“It’s me. I have some clothes for you. Daire brought a small bag of your things in case you needed them.”
Aw. My heart warms more. I almost feel stupid for leaving the way I did, but he still lied to me. I take the bag. “Is he out there?” He can’t see me down the hallway from the family room.
“He’s on the couch, looking pathetic but, you know, still gorgeous. Men.” She rolls her eyes.
I take the bag. “I’ll be quick.”
“No need to rush. He can wait. It’s good for him. Take your time. Come out when you’re ready.” She winks.
I smile—my first smile of the day.
Chapter27
Everleigh
I blow dry my hair,leaving it damp at the ends, add a little makeup—Daire packed the mascara and ChapStick I left on his bathroom counter. He packed some clothes: underwear, a bra, a few shorts and T-shirts, a pair of sandals, and the sneakers I wear to the farm. He even remembered my deodorant.
Fresh and clean, I straighten my white V-neck and tug down the hem of my jean shorts. They’re not the super short ones, but the weight I’ve gained in my ass makes them a bit snug.
I enter the main room. Daire sits on the couch, watching the news. Wrinkles crease his pants, and his shirt isn’t tucked in like usual. His brown hair is a rumpled mess, and the light scruff on his chin gives him an edgy, sexy look.Men indeed.
He spots me and jumps to his feet.
“Where’s Sadie?”
“She, um, left.” He gestures to the door. “I think to give us privacy.”
I nod and walk farther into the room, stopping by one of the pink chairs across from the couch.
For a moment, we just stare, Daire taking me in as if he’s inspecting me for damage.
“Are you okay?” he says.
“How am I supposed to answer that?”
“Right.” He nods, his body wound tight in a way I’ve never seen before.
“I’m sorry for the way I left.”
“What?” His brows touch his hair line. “Don’t apologize. You had every right to leave. I’m so pissed that Benedict showed up and did what he did to you. I’d been avoiding him, trying to figure out what happened between you two. Then things changed, and I didn’t handle it well. I’m so sorry I lied, too. I hate myself for how I tricked you at the diner. I only knew what Benedict told me about you—what he told all our friends. But I never took part in his games. Those were his things, not mine. I only did that night with you because something felt off, and if I didn’t volunteer to do whatever stupid scheme he was up to, he or someone else would have, and it would have been far worse.” He rubs his tired-looking eyes. “I don’t know if you can ever forgive me for this clusterfuck of a mess, but if you let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
His fingers curl into fists at his side, but it doesn’t seem out of anger. He’s suffering. “Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it,” he murmurs, his mint-green eyes glossy.
I must love him a ridiculous amount, because all I want to do is soothe him. I walk around the coffee table in his direction.
He stiffens, his gaze watchful and a bit panicked.
