Page 28 of Tell Me All Your Lies

Tomorrow. Courthouse at noon.

Cara

See you then, Sinclair.

I pocket my phone, not liking the way she’s still using my last name.

“Sorry about that,” Luke says as he returns.

“It’s no problem. Tell me about how your partnerships are going.”

“Right, where do I begin?”

I flag the server for another round of drinks as my old friend tells me about his business. It’s a comfortable and safediscussion for us to have instead of me thinking about how I’m his daughter’s type after all.

After leavingthe golf club with Luke, I decide to take a quick trip out to Charleston, South Carolina, for the afternoon. Well, quick isn’t exactly true, but I’ll be able to make it back in time to meet with Cara tomorrow afternoon. Flying private does have its perks.

The pull to do this somewhat right felt overwhelming as I drove home. That’s when the idea hit me of what I need to do before we meet at the courthouse.

Even if this is a marriage of convenience, I need to make sure Cara has the best experience possible.

This is why I’m currently at my favorite jeweler in downtown Charleston, picking out an engagement ring and wedding band. In my packet from the agency was a simple gold band for me to wear. I’m assuming they gave her the same.

If Cara is going to be my wife in any capacity, then I’m not going to let her wear something simple like that. Not when it’s my name on the marriage certificate with hers.

“What do you think, sir?” the jeweler, Pierre, asks.

I hold the three-and-a-half carat emerald-cut diamond ring in my hand and know it’s perfect for Cara. It’s something she would wear, not that I expect her to ever admit it.

“It’s perfect.”

“Excellent!”

“And the matching band?”

Pierre looks around his trays and finds the match to the engagement ring. It’s in platinum, too, and a thin set of diamonds surrounds it.

“Is this it?” I ask.

“Yes, sir. We can always find something else for you to compare it to.”

“No, this is wonderful. I’ll take them both.”

“Excellent news. I know you are assuming her ring finger size, but please come back, and we can adjust it at no cost to you if needed.”

I am taking a gamble, but one part of my job is being able to size people up correctly—even when it comes to their ring sizes.

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Pierre takes both rings and begins preparing their packaging.

Maybe it was a gamble taking it this far, but it feels like the right move.

Since I’m in Charleston, I’m going to visit with my friend Fisher, who moved here somewhat recently. He lives downtown with his fiancée, Ellie. Fisher agreed to meet me at a bar I own in the area—one of my many investments that a team runs in my absence.

The Blue Marlin Lounge is a go-to place in downtown Charleston and is named after the very elusive white whale of my own, the Marlin. A little homage to the villain of my story, whom I haven’t been able to capture. Hopefully, that all ends with this next mission I’m about to embark on.

“Here you are, sir.”

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