Free Lie Next to Me by Sandi Lynn Page B

vintage cabernet that I had flown in from France. So, I really hope you like it because it was very expensive.”
    “And if I don’t like it?”
    “Well, just humor me and pretend you do.” He winked.
    I couldn’t help but laugh softly as I cut up the tomatoes. It was amazing to me how sweet Ian was being especially after I told him I was moving out. It also made me wonder how many women he did this with. As I was in thought, I felt a sharp pain in my finger.
    “SHIT!” I yelled as I held my finger.
    Ian came running inside. “What happened? Are you all right?”
    “I just cut my finger. I’m okay.”
    “You don’t look okay. Let me see,” he said as he took my hand. “Rory, in order for me to look at it, you need to let go.”
    I was scared. I didn’t want to let go. “Ian, seriously, it’s no big deal.”
    “You’re scared; I can tell. It’ll be okay. Just let me see if you need stitches. Please, Rory.”
    His pleading eyes forced me to let go and show him my finger. He looked at it and smiled. “I think you’re going to survive, since it’s barely bleeding.”
    He walked over to the drawer and pulled out a Band-Aid. As he removed it from the wrapper, he asked me to hold up my finger. I did. He softly kissed it and put the Band-Aid securely around it.
    “There, all better.”
    “I’m sorry. I overreacted,” I said as I looked down.
    “You didn’t overreact and it’s understandable with what you’ve been through,” he said as he pressed his lips against my forehead. “I have to go check on the steaks. Do you need me to finish the salad?”
    “No, I can finish it.”
    Ian smiled and walked outside. He smiled a lot tonight , and he was making me fall deeper for him. I finished the salad and set it outside on the table. I cut up a fresh loaf of bread that Charles had made earlier in the morning, boiled some redskin potatoes, seasoned them, and set them on the table while Ian set down the plates and silverware. He brought the bottle of wine outside and poured some into my glass. He handed it to me as I sat down.
    “Now remember, pretend.” He winked.
    I took a sip and smiled. “It’s perfect.”
    “No pretending?” he asked as he held up his glass.
    “No pretending. I truly like it.” I smiled as I brought my glass to his.
    The steak that Ian grilled was prepared to perfection. I cut into it and took a bite. He stared at me as I chewed. “Is something wrong?” I asked.
    “I’ve sort of gotten used to having a house guest. It’s going to be weird around here when you move out.”
    I looked at him and pursed my lips together, smiling softly as I replied. “You have house guests almost every night, Ian. You won’t miss me.”
    “Those women aren’t guests, and I will miss you, Rory. Whether you want to believe it or not, I will miss having you around here.”
    “Your dad will be happy when I’m gone.”
    “Fuck him,” he snapped.
    I could feel an argument coming on and I wasn’t going to let that happen. I wasn’t about to ruin our perfect dinner.
    “Adalynn invited me to her birthday party Saturday.” I smiled.
    “Ah, yes. That’s this Saturday. I was going to ask you if you wanted to go with me.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me that she’s your ex-wife?” I blurted out.
    He set down his fork, wiped his mouth with his napkin, and stared at me. He picked up his glass and slowly brought it to his lips, staring at me the whole time he drank his wine.
    “She told you about that, eh?”
    “Yes. And I couldn’t help but wonder why you didn’t tell me when you introduced her to me.”
    Ian sighed as he took a bite of his steak. “It was a mistake and it only lasted two days. We were drunk out of our minds. I seriously don’t remember anything about that night. People make mistakes. We did and we took care of it. Adalynn has been a long-time friend and that’s it. I don’t see her as anything but that. I never have and I never will. Trust me when I say that marriage will