Page 55 of Dare You to Lie

I took a sip of my whiskey and dove into my life. Charles had a lot of questions, and I answered them as best I could. By the end of the conversation, it seemed like he respected me. He wasn’t as closed off, and I almost felt like he approved of me marrying Kat. Too bad it was fake.

“I’M SORRY I PUT you through that,” Kat said when we were in the car and pulling out of her parents’ driveway.

I stopped the car and put it in park, turning to face her. “You didn’t put me through anything. I agreed to come. We’re in this together.”

She smiled, but I could tell it was fake. This night had done a number on her, and I didn’t know how to make it better. Kat was normally bubbly and outspoken, so this quiet, timid woman next to me felt like a stranger. I’d never seen her act this way before.

I reached over and caressed her cheek with my thumb. A lone tear slid down her cheek, and I wiped it away. She took a deep breath and then turned on the radio, making it clear the conversation was over. I took the hint and put the car in drive.

“At least I got peaches,” I said.

Kat giggled. “Enough to last a year.”

It was true. The trunk was full of peaches. Once Charles found out they were my favorite, he led me out to his yard, where he had an actual peach grove. I was in heaven. I might have heard a chorus of angels sing while I walked the rows. Charles had two staff members follow us with baskets, and we picked peaches and talked. I almost liked the man by the time we were done.

“Your dad really is proud of them.”

“Yeah,” she whispered. Damn it, why had I said that? Kat turned up the music and rested her head against the seat. Normally, I hated listening to music this loud, but I knew Kat needed to empty her mind.

It was late when we pulled back into Oak Springs. Kat was asleep with her head resting against the window. I had turned the music down to play in the background the way I enjoyed. The heat was on, and the window was cracked. It was comfortable. Kat smelled amazing, like vanilla and honey. I breathed deeply and felt relaxed for the first time in a long time.

I pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. Kat was still asleep. She looked so pretty and at peace for the first time this evening. I wanted to let her sleep, so I quietly got out and ran around the front of the car. As gently as possible, I opened her door and put my hand under her head to steady it while I maneuvered her into my arms.

She mumbled something, but I couldn’t understand it. Her head fell against my chest, and warmth spread through me. It felt good to hold her in my arms.

Shiloh barked and danced around my feet when I finally got the door open. Kat stirred but still didn’t wake up. The night had worn her down emotionally.

“Shh,” I whispered to Shiloh while I carried Kat to her room.

I pulled off her ankle boots after I laid her down. Her hair fanned out on her pillow, and a faint smile pulled at her lips before they settled into a straight line. Blood pumped south at the memory of those lips on mine. The kiss at my parents’ house had been one of the hottest kisses of my life.

I knew we had chemistry—I could feel it whenever we were together—but I hadn’t expected it to be explosive when we acted on it. Which was why we could never do anything more than kiss. It would further complicate our situation, and it was a mess already. Also, I knew I’d eventually break her heart, and I wouldn’t allow that to happen.

Backing out of the room, I left the memory behind and closed the door. Shiloh danced around me again, and I nearly tripped. I fed her and then put her outside while I drank a glass of water, thinking about the night.

Ultimately, we were doing all of this because of Kat’s parents. I wanted to please my mom, too, but I didn’t need to be engaged for her to be happy. Just committed to someone. No, this was because of the way Gwen had treated Kat at the gala. Tonight confirmed it was the right thing to do. But what would happen when it ended?

As long as we ended things amicably and I made Kat look good, it wouldn’t be a problem. I’d even be willing to look like an ass if it made Kat’s relationship with her parents better. I couldn’t fix it for her. That was something she had to do, but I could help. Maybe. I hoped I was helping; otherwise, what the hell were we doing?

Chapter 17

KAT

THE BUZZING OF MY phone on the nightstand added to the headache that was starting at the base of my skull. Normally, I slept well, but last night I’d tossed and turned. I kept replaying the dinner with my parents, and I was embarrassed that Sid had to see the way they treated me. I was angry that I still gave a shit what they thought of me.

When I left the room last night, my mom came to find me. Instead of apologizing like I had hoped, she told me how much I embarrassed her and how disappointed in me she was. It tore me down more because, for once, I didn’t have my armor up around them. I had hoped that with Sid there, they wouldn’t be their normal selves, but I was wrong.

The buzzing stopped and started again. I rolled over and grabbed my phone to check the time and to see who was calling. I was still in my clothes from the day before, and my shoes were on the floor beside my bed. Sid must have carried me in last night. That was incredibly sweet and out of character for him. Or was it? He was a complicated man.

My phone lit up. It was seven in the morning, and Mindy had called a few times, which sent me into a panic. I wasn’t supposed to be at her house for another hour.

It rang again, and I answered on the first ring. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes. Well, actually, no. I’m sorry I woke you up, but can you come over early? The twins and I had a terrible night. I’m trying to feed them and the men before day camp. I’m failing miserably at all of it.” Her voice sounded strained, and I could hear at least one of the twins wailing in the background.

“Calm down and take a deep breath, Min. You’re doing a great job. How about I stop and get donuts and coffee today? That way, you can just focus on the girls.”

“That would be great. You’re a lifesaver.”

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