Fat Cat Liar

“I haven’t told him either. Waiting until we finalize an outline. Dad’s the only other person who knows.”

“You sure do keep a lot of secrets from him.” Jenny looks pointedly with one eyebrow arched.

Her accusation hits a little too close for comfort. She’s right. I’ve kept a lot of pertinent information from Lawson about myself.

“Jenny, that was uncalled for,” Bessie cautions.

“It’s okay; she’s right.” I offer a small smile. “But, for all of your information, that’s changing this weekend.”

“I’d hope so, considering where we’re going,” Jenny remarks coolly.

“Are you going to tell him everything?” Bessie asks.

“I think you should lay it out gently. See how he takes the news that he’s dating a multi-billionaire,” Jenny advises. “Let’s not scare him away with our astounding brilliance quite yet.”

“Do you think it will change things?” Haley looks at me worriedly.

“I hope not, but it’s definitely a concern. I like what Lawson and I have. Each day, I wake up with an excitement and thrill I’ve never felt before. It is so easy between us. On the few occasions I wonder if we’re moving too fast and think that I don’t really know a lot about him, he finds a way to ease those thoughts. We have so much in common, share so many values. It’s not only about both of us losing our mothers; it’s our love of family, our commitments, our hunger for life. My hesitation to share certain things isn’t because I’m being dishonest. It’s because I have the overwhelming need to protect him, to protect us.” Their eyes sear into me when I finish my statement.

There’s an uncomfortable quietness as I swallow half my wine in one gulp.

“Holy shit, you’re in love with him.” Jenny breaks the silence.

I nod, unable to deny it. “Yes, I think I am.”

“This is an occasion for more than wine.” She waves her hand wildly to the waitress, who rushes over to get her order for a bottle of champagne.

“I can’t believe I didn’t see it. Must be losing my touch. I thought you were in a cloud of sexual haze, seeing as it had been so long since you’d been laid.” Jenny disregards that everyone around us heard her announcement.

My face flames, and I drop my chin to my chest, allowing my hair to shield me. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

My embarrassment is short-lived when Bessie and Haley burst into a fit of giggles and I can’t fight my own smile.

“I knew,” Bessie chirps through laughter. “I could tell when we were planning the menu. You had a glow about you that I’d never seen. It was the glow of a woman in love.”

“It was a glow of being thoroughly and completely fucked all day,” Jenny shoots back at her. “That’s why I stashed more condoms all around your house and left a carton in your bathroom.”

At this, Haley completely loses control, howling until tears roll down her cheeks and she’s gasping for breath.

“Can we please stop this insane conversation?” I try to keep a straight face, but it’s hard when Haley snorts.

“No, it’s the most fun I’ve had in a while.”

“Greer, if you want my opinion, I think he’s in love with you, too. He seems pretty intense, but with you, his face takes on a gentleness every time he looks at you.” Bessie’s own expression goes soft as she reaches over and pats my hand.

“You’re a hopeless romantic, Bess.” Jenny scrunches her nose and pretends to be disgusted.

Our champagne arrives, and the waitress pops the cork and pours our glasses as a feeling of warmth settles inside at Bessie’s words. She’s right about Lawson. He’s intense. But there’s so much more to him than the man on the surface.

It’s definitely time to bring him into my world.

Chapter 12

Lawson

“Holy Shit!” I shout, freezing mid-stride. “What the fuck?”

Clay crosses his arms, his face hard as stone. “What the fuck back at ya.”