Page 38 of One Twisted Lie

I look at her dumbly. “Um—”

“Yes,” Carter says quickly, shoving his phone in her hand as he drags me in front of a green tiger.

We pose a little awkwardly to start, just standing next to each other. The lady looks at us disapprovingly. “Come on. Like you like each other.”

I snort, but Carter takes her seriously. He wraps his arm around my waist, and I can’t believe he’s actually smiling. It’s not like the man is completely emotionless, but I’ve never seen him grin like this. So startlingly bright and shiny, all with the implication that I’m the one making him ridiculously happy. It makes me smile on a reflex.

“Perfect!” the lady cheers. “A few more!”

This time, Carter closes in on me. His lips brush my cheek, his hand creeping up to hold my chin. I don’t know what my face will look like in these because I’m shocked at the audacity, baffled by his actions, and touched by his affection. For the last frame, he kisses me on the mouth.

“You two make such a cute couple.” The lady coos, handing Carter back his phone before disappearing into the crowd.

We look through the pictures, and I can’t help but smirk. “We look hot together.”

“We really do,” he whispers. He turns to me with a soft smile, so caring and tender. “I really did miss you, princess.”

I smile back because murderous butterflies are currently going haywire in my chest. “Me too. Want to share some cotton candy?”

He snorts, pocketing his phone as he takes my hand. “Fuck that. I’m getting one for myself.”

We spend the rest of the evening pretending we’re different people, that our situations aren’t what they are, much like we did during the farmer’s market back in Switzerland. Enjoying each other’s company, enjoying the moment, and it’s when I realize there’s something I need to do.

I can’t do this anymore. I can’t pretend like I’m not starting to feel things for Carter I’ve never felt before. I can’t go on acting on my father’s wishes.

That’s why, for the first time ever, I’m going to tell my father no.

Chapter 19

Ozymandias

I have a smile on my face when I finally make it home. It’s a little past eleven. When the zoo closed at nine, Carter and I spent some time just walking around the busy streets, talking about jack shit, but still just enjoying time together.

I drop my keys in the bowl by the door, not bothering to turn on the lights as I make my way through the dark penthouse.

“Where have you been?”

I nearly shit myself when my father appears. I’m startled when he suddenly pops out of his study, and I’m even more shocked that he actually cares where I was.

“The zoo,” I say, eyes squinting when he turns on the living room lights. “They had a light show tonight.”

My father hums, but I can tell he has no interest. He swirls his scotch around his glass and smiles. “Sounds fun. Did you go with the boys?”

I hesitate but realize there’s no point in lying to him. “Just Carter.”

Now it seems like he actually cares. He stands up straight and, while his smile turns a bit sinister, it does get wider. “Even better. I hope you had a good time. Well, as good a time as you can have with an Everett.”

When he turns to leave, I panic. This is the moment that I need to bring up my promise. I need to tell him that I no longer want to spy on Carter for no apparent reason. I’ll confess that I actually like the guy now, maybe even—

I won’t tell him we’re fucking. That’s just too cringy, and the word relationship doesn’t really seem to fit. Friends. That’s what I’ll settle for. Close friends.

“Hey, Father…”

He stops, turning to me with raised brows. It should be concerning, or at least a little bit weird that we’re both so surprised to be engaging in conversation.

He doesn’t speak, so I start. “About this thing with Carter—”

“Yes, I know,” he interrupts with a look of ill-suited sympathy. “It must be torture, but your part in all of this is appreciated.”

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