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. Be my guest. She fought a groan as thespicy tomato sauce danced on her tongue. Alexa, what s going on with your bookstoreexpansion? The strand of spaghetti caught in her throat and she choked.He flew up from the chairand began pounding on her back, but she shook him off and guzzled a few mouthfuls ofwater.The poem flashed in mocking horror past her vision.Oh, the tangled web weweave, when first we first practice to deceive& Are you okay? Fine.Just went down the wrong pipe. She changed the subject. We have to go overmy parents for Thanksgiving. No, I hate holidays.You didn t answer my question.You got the cash and I was underthe impression you needed to start the cafe right away.I have some ideas I d like to goover with you. Her heart beat so fast the blood roared in her head.This was bad.Very, very bad. Umm, Nick, I don t expect you to help me with the cafe.You have enough on your platewith the waterfront project and the board hounding your every step.Besides, I alreadysort of hired someone. Who? Shit.She waved her hand in the air in a dismissive gesture. Forgot his name.A customerrecommended him.He s, um, drawing up the plans and we ll start soon.I may wait untilspring. He frowned. No reason to wait.I don t trust this guy already.Give me his number andI ll talk to him. No. Why not? Because I don t want you involved. The words seemed to punch him like a surpriseright hook.He winced, then quickly recovered.The misery of her lies festered, but shereminded herself to stick to business, even though she knew in some strange way shehurt him.His face reflected disinterest. Fine.If that s what you prefer. Her voice gentled. I d just like to stick to business in our relationship.Getting youinvolved in my cafe project isn t a good idea.Don t you agree? Sure.Whatever you want. The silence beat around them and verged on awkwardness.She cleared her throat. Back to Thanksgiving.You have to go, there s no choice. Tell them I have to work. You re going.It s important to my family.They d suspect something s up if we don tattend. I hate Thanksgiving. I heard you the first time but I still don t care. Family holidays weren t in the contract. Sometimes we can t follow the contract to the letter. His head popped up from his plate like she suddenly had his full attention. You reprobably right.We have to allow for some flexibility and maybe some mistakes along theway. She nodded and forked off the last mouthful. Exactly.So, you ll come? Sure. His total turnaround made her pause, but she ignored it.Her empty bowl mocked her.Damn, what had she done? Funny you mentioned the contract, he said. A little problem came up but it s solvednow. Maybe she d do some extra work on the treadmill.And lift some weights.Maybe evengo back to yoga class. I wasn t going to say anything but I wanted to be honest.You probably won t evencare. She d call Maggie tomorrow and go to kickboxing.The class burned more calories andwas good for self-defense. Gabriella kissed me. Her head shot up. What did you say? He shrugged. She called and wanted to meet me.She said she s moving to California.Ididn t initiate, so I guess it was her idea of a good-bye kiss.End of story. Her eyes narrowed.His seemingly casual attitude masked a deeper truth.She alsoknew the way to get it was to play the whole thing off. A good-bye kiss, huh? Well, that doesn t sound too threatening. She watched himpractically slump in the chair with relief.She pretended to be engaged with the leftoverleaves from her salad to take the pressure off. Cheek or lips? Lips.Quick, though. Okay.So no tongue, right? The chair squeaked with his definite squirm.The son of a bitch was busted. Notreally. Sure? Maybe a little.Happened so fast I don t remember. Even when they were kids, he d sucked at lying.He got in trouble every time andMaggie escaped punishment because she was damn good.Nick s nose practically grewand screamed the truth to the world. Okay.The main thing is you told me the truth.Where did this happen? Down by the river. After your meeting? Yep. She called on your cell phone
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