Page 27 of Tell Me All Your Lies

“Also, fair point.”

“And… someone who can peel back her layers and see she’s got the biggest damn heart of anyone I’ve ever met. She deserves someone who will be her equal and her partner. Someone who will show her she doesn’t have to go at it all alone.”

“She’ll get that. One day. She will. I’m sure she wants that too.”

“I hope so.”

“Who do you think Cara would want?”

“Someone witty, with a sense of humor. Smart, has to be smart, or she would eat that person alive.”

“Do you think she’s attracted to men?”

“Yes.”

“But you haven’t seen her bring anyone home.”

“No, but I see the types she gravitates toward. Cara wouldn’t have an issue flirting with anyone at one of our parties. She knows Catherine and I would love to meet whoever she was with.”

“Who is her type then?”

“Maybe tall,” he starts and then laughs.

“What’s funny?”

“Tall, dark, handsome, and older.”

He lets out a hearty laugh.

“That’s a good type to be.”

“Funny, I basically described you.”

Luke’s cell phone vibrates on the table. He picks it up and answers immediately. It must be Catherine.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he says.

He doesn’t catch the way I’ve frozen from his earlier comment.

Luke holds up a finger to indicate he’ll be right back and starts to leave our table. As he does, I settle into my chair.

I know Luke and Catherine just want what’s best for Cara. Hell, I get their concerns. I am an older version of the woman—living life only interested in the next chase I’ll find myself in and always hoping I’ll get the bad guy in the end. I wonder if I’ll be able to simply walk away once I catch my ultimate conquest.

It seems so simple, but I’m not sure I’ll be at peace after I catch the Marlin.

I take another sip of my martini and consider everything Luke said he would want for Cara. It’s everything I can provide her, at least temporarily, for our arrangement.

The way Cara does not want to marry me should hurt my feelings, but it doesn’t. We aren’t exactly friends.

Fine.

We’re the opposite of friends. Getting under her skin is one of my passions. Now, we have to be on the same team, and the thought of her becoming my wife is causing a strange feeling to stir inside. It goes beyond my pull to her. It feels almost primal.

Something about me wanting to be good for her, even under the circumstances, sounds… appealing. I want to be someone right for Cara.

I pull out my cell phone to text her to firm up our plans.

Grant

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