Fat Cat Liar

Enrique sneers openly, his eyes flaring with disapproval. Greer steps away and comes to me.

“Thank you.” She leans up to kiss my cheek and glances over to Enrique. “You ready to go?”

“Actually, I’d like to speak to Enrique alone for a second,” I interject.

“Lawson, please don’t make this harder than it already is,” she pleads quietly.

“You have nothing to worry about,” I assure her.

She looks between us apprehensive

ly and sighs, leaving without another word. I give her ten seconds then peer out into the hall to make sure we are alone.

“I guess I can add eavesdropper to your ever-long list of endearing qualities.”

I glare at him, every fiber in my body fighting to knock the shit out of him. Greer’s worried face flashes through my head, and I inhale deeply to tamper down the urge.

He speaks first. “How much did you hear?”

“You need to stop giving Greer such a hard time. She’s gone through enough without being lectured and beat up by her friends.”

“So, you know?”

“If you’re referring to the baby, then yes. I’ve known for a while now.”

“Why am I not surprised you’re still lying to her?”

“I’m not lying. I’m giving her the respect to tell me in her own way. Not that it matters because I’m not going anywhere. The baby is an added blessing.”

“I’m sure it is. Gives you a perfect excuse to stick around, knowing she’d never cut you out with a child involved.”

“I love her,” I say plainly.

“What’s not to love? She’s rich, successful, gorgeous, kind, generous… The list is endless. I’m sure you love the way her brilliance pads your bank account, too.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not taking a dime of the money.”

His head jerks, and I get a small amount of pleasure at his surprise. The satisfaction is short-lived when he opens his mouth again.

“Doesn’t matter. You had us all fooled. I should have followed my gut instinct when I first met you. Something wasn’t right, but I trusted Greer. Poor judgment on my part.”

“Fuck me. You’re in love with her.” The words scald my throat as the memory of that night in her apartment flashes in my mind. I teased Greer about his flirting, assuming it was harmless, maybe I was wrong.

He flinches, his jaw visibly tensing as a storm builds in his dark eyes. “If I thought it would make you disappear, I’d say yes. I’d do anything to get you out of her life. But as usual you have no clue. Greer is family, and I believe in protecting and taking care of my family.”

I study him, watching for any sign he’s lying, but there is nothing. A rush of relief travels through me. “Nothing will make me disappear.”

“You’re still a fucking asshole, and you’ll never convince me you’re good enough for her.”

“There is one thing we agree on. I won’t ever be good enough for her, but I’m going to spend every day until my last dying breath proving to her how much I love her.”

“You keep saying you love her, but I have to wonder if you even know what love is.”

“We could argue the merits of my concept of love all day, but it’s a waste of time. You’ll have to take my word for it.”

“Your word means jack shit to me. You’re nothing but a conniving motherfucker.”

“Your insults are getting repetitive.”