Page 29 of Tell Me All Your Lies

I look up to see that Pierre has the gifts wrapped and bagged already.

“Thank you,” I say as I slide over my black credit card.

“My pleasure. I’ll be right back,” he says with the card in his hand. He disappears once more, only this time to a nearby cash register.

As he returns with my card, I realize I may be in over my head when it comes to Cara. I’ve never had the urge to settledown, and I still don’t, but the pull to make her happy is an overwhelming sensation.

It must be because of my relationship with her father. Luke would kill me if he knew I was marrying Cara. His finding out is a bridge we hopefully won’t have to cross.

My plan is to marry Cara for the time being. I’ve secured all the necessary paperwork for us, so she won’t need to worry about me taking her money or the companies she owns. Then, when all this is finished, we can get divorced. Clean and simple. No mess and nothing to worry about after the next few months.

“Here you are, sir. Thank you once again for your business.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“And if I may, I’m glad to see someone has finally captured your attention after all these years. She must be very special.”

I study Pierre for just a moment. He has been my go-to for years.

“Thank you. She is.”

Isn’t that the damn truth?

She’s the only one I’ve ever been tempted enough by, but also the one with whom this can never be real.

He gives me a warm smile as I take the bag and leave.

“Didn’t thinkI’d find you in Charleston again anytime soon,” Fisher says as he slides into my private area at the Blue Marlin Lounge.

“Never thought you’d give up your life in Seattle for a woman,” I taunt.

Fisher smirks and then orders a whiskey.

“What brings you here for such a short amount of time?” he asks.

“I had to pick something up. You know I favor Charleston over any of the businesses out in California.”

“Which I’m sure are just as good.”

“They are, but you know my pull to the area.”

“That I do. Thinking of coming back for longer any time soon?”

The server distracts us both as she hands Fisher his cocktail. He takes a small drink before setting it down on the table.

“No. I have another trip that’s going to take me away for longer than usual.”

Fisher knows about my work, but we don’t dare talk about it in detail in a busy public setting like this.

He gives me a curt nod before looking around the room. It’s busy at this time of night.

“Where’s Ellie?” I ask.

“She’s out with her friend Harper.”

“Harper?”

“She’s one of the women who went out on the bachelorette party cruise a couple of years ago. The one you gave her VIP here for.”

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