Page 41 of Carrying Your Lies
He unbuttons the top button of his shirt. “How often do you visit your mum?”
“Whenever I can. A couple times a week.” If he’s asking questions, so will I. “Are you close to your family?”
“Yes. What was your favourite childhood snack?”
“Ice cream with a handful of cereal. How many siblings do you have?”
“One. A sister. What colour was your childhood bedroom?”
And it continues. A back and forth of simple questions – ones that aren’t too personal but give an insight into who we are. I learn that Huxley is a family man. His parents are madly in love, and he would do anything to protect his younger sister, Hadley. His favourite colour is green, but he hates eating olives. His go-to meal is a burger, and he works out every day.
“Playtime is up,” he whispers as a middle-aged man and a young-looking woman sit beside us.
The starter I devoured churns in my stomach now that playful Huxley has vanished. It’s almost as if a switch has flipped, and he is tuned into every one of his senses and not me anymore.
We order our mains, and I think of a way to start a conversation with the stranger next to me. She is beautiful, and I wonder if she knows her date is dangerous. Huxley didn’t say as much, but why else would he be difficult to get close to? She clings to every word her date says. The gentleman looks nothing out of the ordinary.
“Excuse me,” I say, tapping her shoulder. “I was wondering where you got that dress from? I’ve been looking for something like that for my sister’s wedding.”
She looks down at her pink sparkly dress that barely touches her thighs. Her eyes roll down the length of my long legs before smiling. “There’s this boutique. It’s quite expensive.”
Under the table, I clench my fists at her obnoxious tone. “My husband doesn’t mind. Do you, darling?”
At the mention of him, she diverts her gaze to Huxley. I don’t miss the way her eyes linger on him for a few seconds too long. Her date doesn’t seem too bothered about her wandering eye.
“Janie.” She puts her hand out, offering him a handshake with a not-so-subtle seductive smile.
He smiles at her. “Alex,” he lies smoothly. “And this is my wife, Lily.”
“This is my boyfriend, Graham.”
I have to physically bite down on my lips to stop my snort. The man of the hour looks up from his phone. My vagina curls up as he gives me a perverted smile. He doesn’t hide his interest despite hisgirlfriendbeing sat opposite him.
“How did you two meet?” I ask, with a smile so sweet it could give someone diabetes.
She reaches over and takes his hand. “I slipped down some stairs and fell into him,” she laughs. “Call it fate. How about you two?”
“Would you like to do the honours?”
Fuck. I hate him for throwing me under the bus.
“Childhood friends. I moved away, but this guy couldn’t forget about me. He waited for me, believing one day I’d return. He even took a vow of abstinence while we were apart,” I throw in at the end.
His eyes narrow. His words come out forced. “Anything for you.”
She gasps and feigns fainting. “Isn’t that so sweet, Graham?”
“How did you find one like her?” he jokes with Huxley.
His jaw ticks, and I take his hand to bring him back. “If I tell you, I’d have to kill you.” His stony tone is broken with a forced chuckle. “I think God made her just for me.”
I know this is all fake, but nobody told the swarm of butterflies in my stomach. They don’t stop fluttering as we look at one another.
“That ring is gorgeous!” she exclaims, taking my hand without permission. “How did you know she was the one?”
Huxley looks uncomfortable while I sit with a smug expression. I wonder how the unemotional man is going to say something nice.
“I spent my life alone. I never understood why people get attached. I didn’t crave someone until her. There was no one before, and I don’t believe there will be anyone after. So whatever time we have, I want to make the most of it.”
