Page 57 of Tell Me All Your Lies

“Hi there?” he asks, somewhat questioning who we are still.

“Hi, Brad. It’s been a long time.”

Brad steps forward, and realization dawns on him that it’s me.

“Get over here, you fucker,” he jokes.

I close the distance and shake Brad’s hand as I balance the bag of pies in the other.

“It’s been a while,” he says as he lets go of my hand and steps back in amazement.

“I did tell you I’d be coming.”

“You did, but that house has been sold for over a month. I didn’t know when you’d be moving in.”

I glance over to Cara at that bit of news. The agency has owned this house for over a month. They must have been onto Brad in that case. A piece of news they hadn’t shared with me at any point. I wonder if they knew about Brad’s and my relationship that far in advance and didn’t let on.

“You know how it goes. Had to make this one my wife.”

Cara beams as she extends her hand out to Brad.

“I’m Cara. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Cara, the pleasure is mine,” he says as he takes her hand in his and places a kiss on top of it.

Cara giggles at the gesture.

“Alright, hands off my woman,” I tease.

Brad lets go and brings his hands upward, pretending to be caught.

“First time you’ve ever raised your hands up like that, mate?”

He lets out a deep, bellowing laugh as he lowers them.

“Don’t you know it.”

Brad continues to chuckle.

“We’re just about to eat some burgers. Interested in staying for a bit?”

“Oh, we wouldn’t want to impose,” Cara lies.

“Nonsense,” Brad says.

Just then, Noelle starts to open the sliding glass door.

“Baby, can you get a couple more burgers?”

“No problem! Do y’all want cheese on them?” she asks.

Cara nods, and I do the same.

“Two cheeseburgers, coming right up,” she says before disappearing back inside.

“Thank you,” Cara calls out.

“Take a seat.” Brad gestures to his patio set.

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