Page 53 of The Lies You Love
“What does that matter?”
“Maybe the accountant got confused. The shop’s business did pick up a lot.”
Ramsey is lying. Her tone is off, and she’s deflecting. Gaslighting.
“I don’t think so. My accountant was specific in what she said. Plus, she’s one of my oldest friends.”
My heart pounds faster as they walk.
“I haven’t seen Tess do anything shady. I mean, she does spend a lot of time on the laptop in the back. The business one not her personal computer.”
Auden picks up her pace as the dog tugs forward on the leash. Everything inside me wants to ask my own questions, but I have to hang in the darkness and listen. “I was afraid of that,” Auden says. “Beck trusts her. You know he was the only reason I hired her. He vouched for her. I’ll have to get the cops involved.”
Ramsey turns to look at Auden, and there’s a shift in the dynamic. Something malevolent seeps from Ramsey, and I’m looking at a person I don’t know. “Don’t get them involved. We’ll take care of it, Auddie. You can’t trust Beck. You know that now. He only told you to hire Tess because she was an easy fill. He just wanted to get laid. Men do stupid shit chasing pussy. I’ll handle this. Don’t worry.” She drapes an arm around Auden’s shoulder, and nothing has seemed more threatening.
“I want to take care of this the right way. I appreciate that, Rams, but I want to let the professionals handle it. My accountant said this was sort of huge. The influx of funds and stuff seemed scrubbed that I had in my documents.”
“Why don’t you let me take over the financial stuff? You have your hands full with everything else. It’s your least favorite part of running the store. My degree is in business and you trust me most. I’ll sort this out.”
Auden’s silence speaks volumes.
“You trust me, don’t you?” Ramsey adds.
“Of course,” Auden replies, tone low. “This isn’t something to be sorted, it’s a crime.”
“I see.”
“Don’t be mad at me, please. This is bigger than the both of us,” Auden explains. “You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t want you to get wrapped up in something messy because you are trying to do me a favor.”
“It’s fine,” Ramsey declares—the fight obviously rooted deep in her heart.
“I hope you mean that.”
“I do, what choice have you given me?” Ramsey counters.
“What would you do first?” Auden is trying to make Ramsey feel important. Like she’s asking for advice after upsetting her.
“Don’t confront Tess. Stay quiet and gather evidence. At least another week or so,” Ramsey replies, voice unmoving.
“I can do that,” Auden says.
“It’s getting late. I’m meeting Griffin at the diner off Park and I want to go home and shower first.”
Shower, again? It will be the third one today.
“Call me tonight and we’ll come up with a plan for this week before you turn the information into the cops.” Ramsey pauses. “Better yet, I’ll come over to your place. Wine on the rooftop and chat.”
“Okay. See you later.”
Quickly, I turn to the side, pulling my cap lower over my eyes. Why did she have to end the walk early? I need more information. It’s not ideal, but I have to figure out what exactly Tess is doing before I call Ronan. There’s a lump in my neck I can’t swallow down. One more fucking thing to deal with. Another negative that stems from my goddamn love for Auden. I wish I never met her at that bar, wish I didn’t give her my heart so easily. Hell, like I had a choice in it. Ramsey turns and heads back my way and Auden continues on down the trail with the dog leaping at another dog walking past.
I pretend to be overly interested in the leaves on a tree lining the rocky dirty path.
“I know it’s you. Meet me at my apartment,” Ramsey says loud enough for me to hear as she jogs past me.
The lump in my throat turns to a boulder. I don’t panic, I can’t afford to, this is my entire life on the line and it’s test time. The one that matters.
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