Lie, Lie Again(3)

Sylvia shifted her gaze to the left, and there stood Lily, waiting for her coffee mere feet away. Hugh was good. Keenly aware. It was odd that he’d dated a woman like Lily. She looked like a flimsy scarecrow in her sloppy leggings and a peach tunic that nearly swallowed her. So very different from Sylvia, who never would’ve worn such an atrocious ensemble, even for scrubbing the toilet.

Hugh prattled on about goals and numbers and bottom lines while she nodded, still contemplating Lily. That shade was dreadful on her.

Hugh’s expression suddenly relaxed, and his shoulders dropped. “She’s gone. Sorry about the ramblings.”

“Don’t worry. I completely ignored every word,” she said brightly. “By the way, who’s Hunter?”

“That!” He’d rolled his eyes. “A Pomeranian. We got him together, but now he’s Lily’s. She treats him like a baby.”

Hugh had scoffed about Lily a few weeks ago, but maybe he wasn’t as over her as he’d claimed. It was mind-boggling. Sylvia had so much more to offer. And she was not about to stand for being second best. Hell no. She dipped a spoon in the jam and pulled it back out. Clotted red clumps hung from it. She laid the dirty spoon on her plate and jumped to her feet. “I have to go.”

“But we just started eating.”

Drawing her lips into a tight line, she said, “Sorry. You know how I love buttermilk biscuits, but I just remembered I’m supposed to meet with Belinda and Sarah. It’s a work thing. I’ll text you later.” Her vagueness was purposeful. It was important he understood she’d lied. She checked his face for signs of frustration and smiled slightly at the way his thumb and pointer finger gripped his chin, as though he were trying to find the solution to a problem.

It’s right in front of you, babe. Stop mentioning your ex, and we can move forward.

“I hate that you have to go. Can I see you next weekend?”

She took her plate to the kitchen and stopped to kiss him full on the lips. “Call me. I really do need to run. Bye.” With a flourish, she swung her purse to her shoulder, grabbed her overnight bag, and left. She took a few steps, then stopped in the carpeted hallway of his apartment building.

Now what? Usually her Sundays were filled with Hugh. All day and into the night. But leaving had been necessary. The only option, she reassured herself as she started for the elevator. So what if she wouldn’t see him for a week? He wouldn’t see her either. It went both ways, didn’t it? He would miss her when he was off in Vegas or Phoenix or wherever his job took him. Traveling for work was something that had sounded so glamorous until she met Hugh. Now it was only a drag. But she played it off as though it didn’t bother her in the least. She was fun and carefree, after all. The opposite of Lily.

She rode the elevator to the lobby, deep in thought. As much as she wanted to believe she had the power in this relationship, a swing in balance was threatening, and it was giving her a stomachache. Strange. She was typically adept at keeping her feelings separate from her relationships. Some might claim it wasn’t healthy, but for her, it was necessary. Better to cut a man off before he could do the cutting.

That said, she wasn’t ready to sever ties with Hugh. But he needed a nudge in the right direction. If he mentioned Lily again, she would leave again. It would be like electric-shock therapy. He seemed like a fast learner. She certainly hoped he was.





CHAPTER TWO

Wednesday, March 8

Embry Taylor smoothed the paper napkin in her lap and watched her husband of four years tuck in to his plate of baby back ribs. It was the most relaxed she’d seen him in days. If only she felt that calm. What she’d learned that morning had her nerves sparking like live wires.

But she couldn’t tell him. Not tonight. It’d be best to let the news simmer for a bit.

A smudge of barbecue sauce sat like a brushstroke on Brandon’s chin, but he was enjoying his food too much to notice. His entire focus was on savoring every bite. Mindfulness in action.

That was important, wasn’t it? Living in the moment. Being mindful. Ever since they’d moved to Los Angeles, she’d felt a shift in her thinking, as if the City of Angels were alive with real angels. Angels who whispered in her ear at night, prodding her with their silken voices.

Be present.

Think.

Listen to your heart.

She had done just that this morning. Those angels had stopped her from rushing out to Brandon and telling him what she’d learned. Persistent little things with their fluttery wings and sage advice.

Be calm. Just be.

Telling Brandon would relieve her stress, but what would it do to him? Send him right over the edge, that’s what.

She exhaled and tried for a smile. It was their fourth anniversary. Reason to celebrate. They should be sipping fine champagne and laughing recklessly at their good fortune. But fine champagne wasn’t their reality. Hollywood was to blame. If that fickle city had welcomed him with open arms instead of devastating punches, sharing the news right now would require a toast. How she wished things would change for Brandon. He was such a good man. Even with the voracious eating, he was the sexiest man in the restaurant. The sweetest too. Sometimes it was hard to believe she was the lucky one he fell for all those years ago. The first time she’d laid eyes on him in their crowded high school hallway, she’d dropped her folder and stood motionless as her papers had drifted across the slick floor. He was opening his locker in the bank next to hers, his firm teenage biceps flexing as he spun the dial. His dark hair fell across his eyes, and he brushed it aside before suddenly turning to her. All she saw was startling blue. Her heart hammered against her chest as he swept over to gather the papers.