Page 155 of Sugar
I relayed Josh’s extortion attempt before talking.
And talking.
And talking some more.
No matter how many times I tried to find a different exit in my verbal roundabout, I ended up at the same place.
“I need to tell Greer,” I said.
“Sounds like it.” He tilted my head back. “I’m sorry.”
“Can I take your car?”
His gaze went above my head to the big window that showed only a hint of sun peeking over the horizon. “You want to go now?”
“If I leave soon, I can catch her before yoga.”
He didn’t try to talk me out of it or say I should be patient or encourage me to think it over. He embraced my impulsive surety, and I could’ve kissed him for it. “Let’s go.”
“It’s late. Er, early. You don’t have to…” I trailed off at the look he shot me. “Never mind.”
“Smart.”
“This is a surprise,”Greer said when she peeked through the crack in the door. She continued talking as she closed it to slide the chain lock off. “Did you decide to join me for yoga so you’re more flexible for all your hot and steamy lawyer sex?” A dark blush spread across her face when she opened the door enough to see that Easton was behind me. Her angry glare shot to me. “Why didn’t you give me a heads-up?”
“It’s more fun this way,” I said, though the moment didn’t feel fun.
Not.
At.
All.
Her curious gaze went from me to Easton then back again. “What’s up?”
“Can I come in?”
She nodded.
Easton handed me the plastic cups he held—a green smoothie for her and a banana peanut butter one that was basically a glorified milkshake for me—before pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be in your apartment.”
I gave him a grateful smile. It was all I could muster when my queasy stomach was on the verge of revolting.
As soon as she closed the door behind me, Greer launched in. “Okay, what’s going on? Are you pregnant? Do you want to be pregnant? Are you getting married, and I beat Wren for maid of honor? I’m just nervously babbling here, so please say something because you’re starting to freak me out.”
“I saw Josh last night.”
She rolled her eyes. “If he was with another woman… Good. Let him be her problem now.”
“It’s not that.” With a deep inhale, I launched in and told her about what I’d seen, his confession, his threat. Everything.
Once I was done, she remained silent for a few long beats before finally saying, “Well, he’s lying. Obviously.”
“Maybe,” I said. “I hope he is.”
She paced her tidy living room. “My dad wouldn’t. He doesn’t need to. I mean, he’s got money because he works hard and sees a lot of patients. And he’s popular because he’s so charming. You know that. It’s how he brings in so many new… But he doesn’t… It’s not like he… Josh was lying. Covering his own ass.” But the way her voice faltered and her hazel eyes darted around betrayed her doubt.
I tried to channel some Easton firmness into my tone. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
