Page 34 of Up All Night
“I can’t guarantee that."I counter."What if this thing all goes to hell?And he doesn’t want to do business with Lucy anymore, because he may see me at the office?"
“Then you’re risking it either way."
“That’s exactly my point."I say firmly.“I’ve already jeopardized my career, dammit."I rake a hand through my hair in frustration.“If I screw this up with Stone, I’ve already put my career at risk.There’s no denying it.What the hell was I thinking?"
She’s getting pissed off.“If you want to go around, thinking self-destructive things like that, thinking that you can’t live your life how you wish because you think that you might screw up your career by doing something human, you go right on ahead.But I think that there is more to this than you’re letting on."
Now I’m getting pissed off.“If you’re such an expert, then why don’t you tell me what you think is going on?"
“I think you’re just scared.You’re scared of starting something new, and you’re setting yourself up to ruin it.It’s classic.I could kill Steve for what he did to you.But you’re also to blame, because you refuse to get help.Well, I’m here to tell you, that if you really have genuine feelings for this guy, and you feel like he does too, then you ending it, you’re risking much, much more.You’re risking losing the love of your life, potentially.You’re risking your own mental health, giving into those inner demons.And that’s way worse than a stupid job."
That went a step too far.I grit my teeth.“It’s not a stupid job.It’s the best job and the best company that I’ve ever worked for."
“If it’s so goddamn wonderful, then why isn’t it letting you live your life?You said so yourself that there’s no written policy against relations with clients."
I’ve had enough of this.I feel like we're going in circles.I rise out of my chair, and leave my salad, which I’ve only taken three bites out of.“You don’t understand.You are self-employed.You don’t have anyone to answer to."
“That’s a cop out and you know it."
My nostrils flare.“Just shove it."
I don’t speak to Liv again, until it’s too late.
Chapter 9
Stone
“Youhaveasister?“
“A twin sister.We look almost identical, but we are fraternal officially."
“If I had a dime for how many times I had a fight with one of my siblings."I trail off, as a waitress walks away, having filled our water glasses and taken our orders.I knew that something was wrong because when she worries, her eyes crinkle at the sides and she gets this little wrinkle in between her brows.And her voice changes.When she’s happy, she almost has a ring to her voice, but tonight it’s sort of flat.
“I can count on one hand how many times Liv and I have fought.”
The hotel restaurant is quiet and quaint, thankfully.At this late hour, there are only a handful of people here.I picked a good night, because on some nights there is live entertainment, and tonight is not one of those nights.The shimmering lights overhead are dimmed, and the cream-colored cloth table linens give a warmth to the room.There’s enough space between tables for adequate privacy, which is why I felt it fair to query what’s bothering her.
“Do you want to talk about it?"
She doesn’t give me eye contact when she answers, which leads me to believe that she’s making up a lie.I’ve seen it before, but I know better with Lark, because every word she says to me, she’s always looking into my eyes when she says it.This is an exception.“I invested in her business to give her a leg up, so when I don’t like a product that she creates, she takes it to heart."
I decide the only way around this is to call her on it.“Why don’t you try now with the truth."My voice is gentle, soft.It’s what I call my radio voice, or what my mom calls it, anyway.I use it when I’m levelling with somebody.I’ve used it on Axl recently, and it usually works.
She licks her lips contemplatively.This time, her eyes are on mine.“The truth is I can’t tell you."
“I can accept that."I lay my hand over hers.“Everyone has a secret or two.And sometimes, when people keep secrets, it’s not because they’re being malicious.Most of the time it’s because they’re sorting things out.At least that’s what’s been my experience."
“It sounds like you don’t get hurt very often."
“There’s a key sentence if I’ve ever heard one."I raise my eyebrows.“So, this thing that you can’t tell me, it's because someone hurt you."
“Yes."She leaves it at that.
But of course, the nosey Lawson that I am, I have to pry a little.“Who is he?"
“More like whowashe.“
I nod.“A past lover.I won’t take credit for that one, since it is a pretty easy guess.I knew before you even told me."
