Free Liars' Games (Project Chameleon Book 1) by Susan Finlay

scratched his head. “Our school board believes that if we installed those things, we’d be admitting to the public we have problems, like it wasn’t already obvious.”
    They talked for a few minutes about the school and the district, and when that subject petered out, no one spoke. Claire hated awkward silences. She toyed with the cloth napkin resting on her lap and focused her attention on the song playing through the overhead speakers, but the noise level in the crowded restaurant made it difficult to hear the lyrics.
    To her relief, Steve broke the silence. “What are you interested in outside of work ? Do you have any hobbies? Special things you like to do?” 
    Should she tell him what she really liked to do, or should she make up something the way she’d been instructed to do? She’d read plenty of books on assorted topics, so she could fake interest in something she didn’t like, couldn’t she? But could she act ? Better play it safe. “I guess I’m kind of boring, really,” she said. “I’m an avid reader. Sometimes I feel like I’ve read every book ever written.” She smiled and took a sip of wine. “I also play musical instruments.”
    Steve raised his eyebrows. “Really? So do I. Piano, for one. My mother forced me to play when I was a kid. I’m more of a guitar man now, though.”
    Claire smiled at that. “I play both also. And electronic keyboard and synthesizer.”
    “Do you sing?” Steve asked.
    “A little. Mostly I compose.”
    “Now that’s intriguing. And you said you were boring.” He was grinning again, and Claire bit her lip. Maybe she should have made up a story. Telling him too much about herself could be a mistake.
    “What about you?” she asked, turning the focus on him and hoping she might get him wrapped up in talking about himself.
    “Believe it or not, I like to read, too. I suspect most educators started out as avid readers. As for music, I started playing guitar in high school. Frank Lawrence and I went to school together in Palo Alto, California. Did he tell you?”
    She nodded.
    “We’ve actually known each other all our lives. Anyway, he and I formed a rock band with some friends years ago. We played at parties for a while.”
    The waitress stopped at the table and told them their food would be out shortly ; Steve thanked her, then looked back at Claire. “Now where was I? Oh, yeah. I also played football. Later, I got involved to snow skiing, water skiing, boating, fishing, dancing, and hiking. I like going to movies and plays, and the occasional monster truck show. Oh, and last but not least, I’ve been taking flying lessons. Got my pilot’s license a few weeks ago.” 
    “Flying lessons? A license to fly? Wow. No one could ever call you boring.”
    Conversation halted when the waitress reappeared, carrying a large tray. The conversation idled for a while as they ate, and then Claire returned to an earlier topic. “Tell me about your flying. Will you buy your own airplane?
    “Oh, I’d love to do that. Maybe someday. I’m a real sucker for planes; even collected model planes and remote control planes for years. Of course owning a real plane takes a lot of time and money, neither of which is in abundance right now.” He shrugged, gave a melancholy smile, and sipped his chardonnay.
    She studied his face, the way the light and shadows played on his features and accentuated his eyes, warm and expressive blue eyes, a lovely kind of blue that reminded her of a Caribbean-sky on a summer day. “That’s fascinating,” she said. “I don’t know if I could ever ride in a small airplane, let alone fly one. I’m impressed that you can do that. It must be exciting.”
    “It really is. There’s freedom in the clouds. Maybe sometime you’ll give it a try— as a passenger at least.” He smiled and his smile was contagious.
    Although t here was a brief silence, it didn’t bother her this time.
    “What kind of music do you like?” Steve asked, taking her