Free Irresistible Lies by Juliette White

you.”
    “Don’t
even worry about it. Just try and get some rest while you’re in New York. Don’t
let him work you too hard.” She frowned. “I hate seeing you like this.”
    “Hey,
maybe if I’m lucky he’ll decide not to come back to Virginia,” Grace said. “A
girl can hope.”

 
    JAMIE
WAS WAITING for Grace outside at Richmond International Airport. He saw her
before she saw him. She was pulling a small suitcase behind her and was wearing
dark jeans and a white button down blouse. Her hair was in loose waves, and she
had dark sunglasses on so he couldn’t see her eyes.
    He
waved to her and could swear she almost recoiled when she saw him.
    “Hey.
Right on time!”
    He
took her suitcase, his hand lightly brushing hers. She yanked her hand away as
though burned and mumbled her thanks.
    “How
are you?” he asked. “Sorry the flight is so early, but I’m eager to show you
the place. We have a lot to do today.”
    “It’s
okay. I’m an early riser.”
    “I
remember. That’s why I figured you wouldn’t mind. So, when was the last time
you went home to New York?”
    “It’s
not really home anymore,” she said. “But we go see my parents every Christmas.”
    “You
and Caroline?”
    “Yes.
It’s just the two of us.”
    “How
is Caroline? The last time I saw her she was studying to become a teacher.”
    Grace
nodded. “She has her own classroom now. She’s a great teacher. All the kids
love her.”
    “I
knew she would be. I always thought she would make a great mother someday.”
    Grace
looked at him. “You did?”
    “Of
course. She’s got that motherly thing going on.”
    “She
certainly does.”
    “You
both have it,” he said quickly, sensing that he had somehow upset her.
    Grace
changed the subject, her voice flat and disinterested. “She’s engaged.”
    “No
kidding! That’s great. Who’s the lucky guy?”
    “His
name is Will. He’s the best. Really good to her.”
    “When
is the wedding?”
    “It’s
in April.”
    “And
they live together?”
    “No.”
He wished she would take off her sunglasses. “She lives with me. She’ll move
out when they get married, but we’ve still got some time left.”
    He
got the feeling this was another sore subject and tried to shift gears. “I
can’t believe you haven’t been to New York since Christmas. Don’t you miss it?”
    “Not
really.”
    For
a woman who used to be so talkative, she sure was using her words sparingly.
    They
didn’t speak at all on the line to get their boarding passes or as they were
walking to the gate. They found their terminal and sat across from each other.
Jamie couldn’t believe how uncomfortable they were together. Grace used to be
the one person he was most comfortable with in the world.
    He
hated himself for ever putting this distance between them.
      Grace rummaged through her purse, acting
like she was too busy to pay attention to him.
    He
was happy when she finally took off her sunglasses, but the feeling faded when
he saw the dark circles under her eyes. She looked like she hadn’t slept in
days.
    “Are
you okay?” he asked her seriously.
    She
looked suspicious. “Yes. Why?”
    “You
look tired.”
    “I
am tired. It has been a long week.”
    Her
tone gave him the impression that he was responsible. He knew he had been
giving her a lot of work to do, but he had a good reason. Every time he called
her meant hearing her voice. Every minute she spent working on his account was
a minute she spent away from Charlie.
    He
had justified it to himself many times, but he did feel guilty now seeing how
exhausted she was. He hadn’t meant to suck the life out of her.
    Jamie
smiled, trying to lighten the mood. He wanted this trip to be perfect, and he
was determined to get them back on track. “Can I get you coffee? I remember how
you take it.”
    “No,
thanks. I’m fine.”
    Her
voice was light, not angry, but it still bothered him. He knew she was trying
to put distance between them. He was even