Free All's Fair in Love and Lion by Bethany Averie

hand. While admiring the ring, I realized I was late for lunch and forgot it was on my finger. Nerves bubble up in the pit of my stomach and I attempt to ease my hand from her grasp.
    Mel refuses to let go. “What are you wearing?”
    “A ring.” I shift uncomfortably in my chair.
    “What does it mean?” She leans over to get a closer look. “Is it from your mystery man?”
    I finally slip my hand from her grasp. A few people on the patio turn in our direction, then go back to their own conversations. “Keep your voice down,” I hiss. “I don’t want everybody staring at us.”
    She lowers her voice. “Tell me about your man and the ring.”
    “Hello, ladies,” a voice interrupts.
    We lift our heads as a waiter sets water in front of us. “Would you like something to drink?”
    Mel a quick glance. In it, I read her curiosity loud and clear. She’s going to demand an explanation. I swallow.
    “I think I’ll have,” Mel says, appearing unruffled, “an iced tea. Sasha?”
    “The same.”
    “Very good, I’ll be back in a moment.” The waiter leaves us alone again.
    “Okay, what’s going on?” Mel asks.
    “I’m not sure what to tell you. Monroe and I haven’t been involved very long.”
    “I figured as much. After all, I’ve only been gone a month. You aren’t the type to throw yourself at a man.” Concern seeps into her voice.
    I unfold and refold my napkin. “It was going on before you left. For about four months, but it wasn’t serious.”
    Hurt overshadows her face. “You never said a word.”
    “There wasn’t much to say.”
    “Now it’s serious?”
    I twist the ring back and forth. “Very.”
    “Which means?”
    “We’re planning on getting married.” Silently I add, I think. I don’t dare give Mel that detail. It’s apparent I already let her find out way too much.
    Her mouth drops open while her shocked eyes sweep over my face. “Married? Wow, Sasha. You two aren’t rushing into this, are you?”
    I duck my head. Her sarcasm hurts. It’s not as if we ran off and eloped. “The ceremony isn’t tomorrow.”
    “Jeez. I thought you were the grounded, sensible one.”
    My heart picks up speed and I rub my sweaty palms against my blue jeans. “The circumstances are rather unusual.” And I’m still figuring it all out for myself.
    “How unusual?”
    “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
    “Try me.”
    “Um . . .” I stall, my stomach in knots.
    “We’ve been friends for twelve years. You can tell me anything.”
    My mind races. “I’m afraid I can’t, Mel. Not this time.” Can I sound any lamer?
    She glares across the table. “You’ve never kept a secret like this from me before.”
    “I haven’t ever been in this situation, Mel.”
    She purses her lips. “Will you tell me something ?”
    “Such as?”
    “Where’s he from? What does he do? How did you meet?” She taps her fingernails on top of the table. “The important details.”
    “He’s from near here. He works for a government. Like the CIA.” My cheeks grow warm. “I can’t really say much else.”
    “You didn’t answer my other question. How did you two met?”
    The knots in my stomach tighten. “We sort of ran into each other and started talking.”
    Her eyes narrow. “There’s more, isn’t there?”
    “Please, don’t press me.”
    “Don’t you trust me?”
    “I’m sorry.” I wring my hands. “There are things about Monroe I can’t divulge.”
    The waiter returns and sets tall glasses of iced tea in front of us. “Now, what will it be, ladies?”
    “A grilled chicken sandwich for me,” Mel says.
    “What about you?” he asks.
    “The house salad,” I answer, my appetite gone.
    The waiter nods and walks away.
    “I wish you’d tell me everything,” Mel says, after the waiter disappears inside. “You’re not normally secretive.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Yeah, so am I.”
    “You know I’d tell you if I could. I mean, I don’t even understand it