Page 40 of 7 Dirty Lies

“It’s amazing.Iloveit.”

“Good.I should walk you back.It’s late.”He cleared the plates and wiped off the counter before taking my hand and leadingmeout.

It was an intimate gesture, but also cold.As if he wanted more—wanted to be right back where we were the last time we saw each other—but also not ready.We walked silently through the dark halls, stopping at mycloseddoor.

He brushed my long hair over my shoulders, then ran a thumb over my cheek, his eyes studying everything without actually looking at me.“Good night LilyLawrence.”

I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes.“Whathappensnext?”

“You make a movie and I...work.Just like we would have if we hadn’t run into eachother.”

In other words, noromance.

But he also wasn’t turning me away.“Will I see youaround?”

His thumb moved to my lower lip, his touch feather soft.“Would it make you happy, even if it were only forconversations?”

My eyes shot up because—what did that even mean?Was he accusing me of only wantinghisbody?

“Of course.Imissyou.”

“Hmmm...I’m a very busy man.Maybe you’ll see me.Maybe youwon’t.”

He was playing with me.I pushed away.“Please don’t put yourself out on my count.I wouldn’t want to interfere withyourwork.”

“Any more than I want to interfere with yours.”Then he backed me into my own door and kissed me lightly on the lips—all without touching meanywhereelse.

“GoodnightAnnie.”

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