Fat Cat Liar

“No more waiting.”

I lead us through the back entrance to my truck and sit her inside, snapping her seatbelt in place.

“Lawson, I can’t just take the day off.”

“It’s not an option anymore. You’re mine for the day.” I kiss her nose and shut her in, going to my side.

“Now, who’s the one being bossy?” she grumbles when I pull onto the street. “Was this your plan, to ambush me and force me home?”

“I didn’t have a plan, but I couldn’t go another hour without seeing you this morning. Short phone calls weren’t cutting it. The only thing I could do was meet you at the office with the hope you’d give me a morning kiss. Then I saw you and knew a kiss wouldn’t be enough.” I reach for her hand and bring it to my mouth. “You are a sight for sore eyes.”

I glance over to see her frown lines disappear. “Thank you.”

“Thank me when we get back to my place.”

She takes her hand back and starts to fidget. “Actually, can we go to my place? There’s something I need to show you, and there’s a lot I need to tell you.”

I get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach at the tone of her voice. The traffic is light, and I get us to the parking garage in record time. “We need to go by the lobby and get my bag the driver dropped off for me.”

“We’ll get it later.”

“I should—”

I haul her to my side and press my lips to her temple. “Later.”

“Okay,” she relents.

When the elevator delivers us to our floor, I let her lead us to her apartment, unsure of what to expect.

“Have a seat and give me a second.” She drops her purse on the counter and goes straight to her spare room.

She comes out toting a huge frame and hands it to me, a worried expression etched on her face. My heart hammers in my chest, and I blink rapidly to ensure I’m reading correctly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Greer Elizabeth Palmer

School of Architecture + Planning

The phrases Urban and Environmental Engineering, Honors, and Magna Cum Laude all run together and my vision becomes cloudy.

“MIT?” I croak. “You graduated from MIT?”

“I did,” she whispers. “And so did they.”

She holds out a picture, and I take it, seeing her and her friends standing together in caps and gowns.

“Jenny went the farthest with her education. She has her PhD in Biological Engineering and Chemistry. Jonas and Enrique have their graduate degrees in General Chemistry, and Bessie is General Technology and Information Planning.”

“Why the secrecy?” I glance up to find her twisting her hands nervously.

“It never came up,” she offers weakly.

“Why tell me now?”

“Because Dad made me realize I’ve been too closed off.”

“Closed off?”