Fat Cat Liar

“Dishonest with me?” My throat goes dry.

“My dad is an extremely successful business man, Lawson. Successful enough to have this house in the Hamptons, a penthouse on Fifth Avenue, and several properties around the world.”

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah, I’m a part of a very wealthy family. I’ve chosen to live my life on my own, but he knows how much I love this place. Mom and I used to spend summers here. It became hard when she died, but every time I’m here, she’s with me. Dad thought about selling it, until we agreed we couldn’t let it go. When I met my friends at college, we came here one weekend and the guys went wandering. Jonas came back and declared they’d found the perfect place to camp. He convinced us to try it. Since then, we have one weekend a year when we do the primitive thing, but in the summers, we spend our time at the house.”

A mixture of jealousy and longing comes over me, and it has nothing to do with the mansion in the distance. I want to be a part of her summers in the Hamptons for the rest of my life. I want us to make our own memories. My heart clenches in my chest that the chance of this may never happen.

My conscience screams at me that this is the perfect time to start untangling my web of lies. Question her more and then tell her my ‘construction’ company is actually a development group as well. Convince her this is all a coincidence. But my brain can’t find the words.

“Lawson, say something.” She continues to chew on her lip, her eyes rimmed with worry.

“Wow,” is all I can find to reply.

“It’s a little overwhelming, I know. That’s why I keep my identity quiet. When people discover I have money, it changes things. ”

I step into her space, cup her face in my hands, and rub my thumbs across her cheeks. “Nothing changes with us. Money or not, you’re still my Greer.”

Relief flashes in her eyes, and she wraps her arms around my waist. “Are you upset I’ve kept it from you?”

“I don’t consider this a secret. It’s a part of getting to know you.”

“Thank God! I’ve been so worried this would scare you off, especially the part about not being completely honest.”

My stomach rolls at the word ‘honest’. “There’s nothing in this world that would scare me away from you.”

A small smile forms on her lips right before she rises on her tip-toes and brushes her mouth against mine.

Usually, her kisses would sooth any worry away, but a realization slams into me and I tense.

“Lawson, what’s wrong?”

“I realize there’s nothing I can give you that you don’t already have. I can’t compete with this level of wealth.”

Coming into this scam, I knew Greer was rich, but it didn’t matter because it was all a farce. Now, it occurs to me that I have nothing to offer.

“That line of thinking is exactly why I was afraid to tell you.”

I cup her chin and cheeks, lifting her face back to mine. “You misunderstand me. I told you nothing would scare me away. I just need to up my game.”

“Up your game?”

“Yeah, baby, your money is irrelevant because I’m going to be the one to take care of you.”

“You already do. I’ve never been this happy. You give me something money never could. I feel loved.”

“You’re surrounded by love, baby. It’s in your voice every time you talk about your dad. Your friends adore you, and your clients think you walk on water. My job goes deeper. My job is to let you know you’re cherished, adored, and worshipped. Love is only scratching the surface.”

Her breath hitches. Without saying the actual words, I’ve declared my feelings. The worry fades, and her eyes start to shimmer, the beautiful green glowing so bright they pierce into my soul.

“What are the chances I can get started on that worshipping part right now?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“It starts with stripping you naked and ends with you yelling my name.” I lean down and nip her bottom lip, touching the tip of my tongue to hers.

“We can’t,” she whispers into my mouth.