Free Diamonds Are Truly Forever: An Agent Ex Novel 2 by Gina Robinson

him.
    “Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. Feed her first if you have to. Get her nice and full, drowsy and relaxed. Then hit her with the news.” He punched the air for emphasis. “Everyone loves story time after lunch. We’ve been programmed for it since kindergarten.
    “And a little pause or two would add authenticity. But only if you want to actually convince her. I’d hate to think you’re sabotaging the mission already.”
    Already? She raised a brow and continued scowling. Now he was just being sarcastic and trying to rile her up. “I wouldn’t dare.” Staci crossed her arms. “You told me once liars talk too much, give too many details. I’m only trying to stick to the script.”
    “Okay, misinterpret me. That’s not going to help us.” He took a deep breath.
    Staci could tell the strain of trying to be patient was wearing on him. Drew had never been a patient man. Nor was he cut out to be a teacher.
    “Stace, you have to read the situation. In this case, telling the ‘truth’ of us reuniting is going to be more difficult than lying.” He gave her a deadpan look. “At least for most people. So telling her we’re back together is going to look a lot like ineffective lying. You want to appear hesitant and guilty. In this case, lying plays to your strengths.”
    Her strengths, right. “Okay, what would you say, big shot?”
    “First, I’d use your natural hesitancy and pauses to add authenticity. Something like this isn’t easy to blurt out. You know Linda’s not going to necessarily jump for joy at this news. I’m sure you’ve painted me as an ass since the breakup.”
    “I have not!”
    He raised a brow. “Now you’re just insulting me with your barefaced lies.”
    He has me there. She felt her face flush.
    He laughed at her obvious discomfort. “You jumped in too quickly and vehemently with that one. Next time, tone it down a little.”
    “Too hesitant, too quick,” she said. “Seems a girl can’t win around here.”
    He grinned. “A girl can win. If she reads the situation, watches body language, and pays attention to her coach.”
    He got back to business. “Now I’m you. For simplicity, I’m also your mom.” He put down his beer, sat up straight, and crossed his legs in an effeminate manner, playing with his hands in his lap.
    “Now you’re just making fun,” Staci said. “I don’t sit like that.”
    He shot her a quick look that said she did, then jumped back into character and looked down at his lap, stealing glances at her with a nervous look in his eye. “Mom, I have something to tell you.” Heavy pause. “Drew’s back in town.”
    “Drew’s back? Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry!” He still didn’t sound like her mom, but he had some of her intonation down. “How are you handling it? Has that beast been bothering you?”
    Staci snorted and interrupted. “Mom doesn’t call you a beast.”
    He looked up at her from beneath his lids, appearing decidedly unconvinced. And well he shouldn’t have been. Linda didn’t call him a beast. She called him something far worse.
    “Hey! I’m in the middle of an instructive performance here.”
    “Sorry.” Staci wasn’t sorry, and it probably showed.
    He bit his lip as she often did.
    “Now that’s just a parody.”
    He stayed in character, ignoring her as he hesitated and stared into his lap again. “He stopped by the house to pick up a few of his things yesterday.” He glanced up and looked her in the eye. Speaking in a rush he blurted out, “Oh, Mom, seeing him again, I realized, we both realized, we’d made a big mistake.”
    He paused, looking at her as if he were pleading with her. “I love him. I always have. I can’t live without him.” He lowered his voice to a near whisper. “We’re back together. I’ve moved into his condo. The divorce is off.”
    The big-mistake part rattled her. He sounded so believable, he nearly convinced her, damn him. However, her mom was a tougher bird than she was.
    Drew