Page 39 of Papers Don't Lie

“She’s the girl that sent him the D,” my brother says so Lacey won’t catch it.

It appears Kiaran didn’t either. “The D?” he murmurs, but then his eyes widen. “Ooooh, it’s no doubt that won him over.”

Esmeray chokes in an attempt to hide a laugh, raising a hand to her mouth. “Sorry.”

We all try to keep our cool, keeping our laughter inside so Dad won’t realize or catch up on any part of this story.

“No need to apologize. You made our day, Esmeray.” Kiaran nods his head at her, smiling. “Was that song yours as well?”

Esmeray glances at me, asking for permission, as if she’d ever need it. They already know about this, so there’s no need to hide.

“I’m curious about this too, actually,” I admit.

“What song?” Dad asks.

She panics next to me and releases a shaky laugh. “A love one.”

“And?” He raises his brows. “Did you write it?”

“Yes,” she admits, barely keeping in a laugh.

Dad signals to the housekeepers to bring the food, ordering his forks once again as if they weren’t professionally placed justfor him mere moments ago. He looks up at Esmeray, putting a hand on top of hers.

“Well, if that’s what you like to do, I know a few artists that would love to work with you,” he suggests, but the rest of us burst out laughing, not able to contain it anymore. “What? What did I say?” Dad murmurs, watching us wiping the tears at the corner of our eyes.

TWENTY-ONE

ESMERAY

After dinner is over, our stomachs are full, and I'm certain I made a good impression. All I can think about is Kai’s surprise. Of course, I bug him all the time to go, even if the presence of his family is lovely. He does nothing but repay me with a kiss on the forehead and powerful grips on my hips as he talks with one of his brothers, seeming completely unaffected.

Even now, he’s testing my patience. I look up at him, my lips almost touching his cheek as I breathe out. His head snaps to mine, one tilt of a head away from a kiss, and his eyes drop to my lips.

I brush my cheek over his, aiming for his ear when I whisper, "Please?”

Kai’s spine snaps into a straight line, his hand grabbing mine under the table before he stands up. The table falls silent, all eyes pointed at us. “If you’ll excuse us, my wife can’t stand another second without the gift I promised her.”

Kai’s dad shakes his head, laughing. “You can go. I was heading to my room anyway.”

“Thank you for this lovely dinner, Mr. Graves.” It’s all I get to say before Kai whirls me on my toes until we reach the space behind the staircase.

He takes out the handkerchief from his coat—a really long one—shakes it down once, folds it in two, and puts it over my eyes. Instinctively, my palms reach over the material, not understanding what’s happening.

“What are you doing?" I ask as I feel him tying the material.

“Showing you your surprise since you’re so eager,” he tells me, then guides me further.

I let him take the lead as I take hesitant steps with my arms stretched out in front of me. The big chances are that I look like a monkey, but it’sthator falling right on my nose.

Where the hell is he taking me?

Kai stops, removing his touch from me, and even if he’s close, I don’t dare to move. “Just a second.”

The sound of his shoes echoes in the hall, soon followed by a door unlocking. I patiently wait while my heart beats like crazy in my chest until I hear his voice again. “Come on."

Kai walks behind me, undoing the handkerchief he put over my eyes with cautious moves. Just when I think he’ll drop it, he keeps it there one more second.

“Are you ready?”

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