Lies in Love Read Free Page A

She could really use a friend.”
    He
turned around and looked Sara in the eye. “What’s her
name?”
    “Talia.”
Sara began to smile.
    “Shawn.”
He held out his hand to Sara and returned her smile.
    Maybe
all hope wasn’t lost. Maybe he would be the one to bring Talia
around, even if it was solely for revenge or on the rebound. “She’s
upstairs at a table by herself. I was just down here getting her a
drink when I saw you. Would you mind taking it to her for me? She’s
wearing a black shirt and denim skirt. I’m sure you can’t
miss her in here with all these hearts and flowers.”
    “Sure.”
    Sara
led him to the bar and grabbed Talia’s martini then passed it
off to Shawn. “Remember, her name is Talia.”
    “Got
it. Thanks.”
    Sara
nodded, concern flooding her as he walked away. She hoped this wasn’t
a totally bad idea. Anxious about the outcome, Sara followed him,
hanging back a bit so he wouldn’t notice. From a few tables
away, she saw the whole exchange between Shawn and Talia. He was
genuinely trying to be nice, setting the drink before her and asking
if he could sit down. Of
course she said no . She’s
so hard headed. Shawn
was still standing, staring at Talia. Sara wished she could hear what
was being said. Shawn looked so sincere and Talia looked what,
pissed, sad, amused? She’d become so hard to read since the
breakup. What
is going on in that head of hers?
    Shawn
reached for the seat again and Talia threw her drink in his face. Seriously?
What is her deal? Shawn
marched away, wiping the martini from his face and looking worse than
before. Sara chased after him, trying to find out what happened. She
felt like this whole thing was a disaster, a lost cause.
    “Shawn,
wait.” Sara was practically running, pushing through the bodies
in the club. Obscenities were screamed behind her as she continued on
after him. “Shawn.”
    He
stopped and spun, seething. “Was this some kind of sick joke?
Did Avery put you up to his?”
    “Who?”
She could only assume he meant the girlfriend. “Look, I don’t
know what she said, but I’m sorry. I really thought you guys
could be good for each other.”
    “Whatever.
You might want to reevaluate her sexual preference, because she
definitely has no interest in men.” Shawn didn’t say any more. He turned
and walked away, leaving the club.
    Sara
felt terrible for doubly ruining his evening. Sending him in blind
was a terrible idea. She returned to the bar in search of Reina, who
was lost somewhere in the chaos. The bar was now three people thick
with the barstools concealed. On tiptoes, she walked behind the
crowd, looking for the top of Reina’s coal hair. She found her
behind a group of men placing their orders and flirting. “Reina!”
she yelled over their heads, trying to get her attention.
    Reina
turned on her stool and stood on the leg supports to see over the
crowd. “Sara?” She pushed through the mass of people and
appeared at Sara’s side. "¿Qué
pasa?"
    “That
guy was a huge mistake. Talia threw her drink in his face.”
    Reina
tried to suppress a giggle, with no luck. “¡Que mamada!”
    “This
is so frustrating.”
    “Why
don’t we find Camey and see if she’s had any better
luck.” Reina took Sara’s arm and squeezed past patrons
who were now a little more intoxicated than before. They found Camey
grinding on the dance floor with a very attractive blonde who had to
be in his mid-thirties. Reina tapped Camey on the shoulder, stilling
her rhythmic movement.
    “Hey.
What’s up?”
    “I
take it you didn’t have any luck?”
    Camey’s
eyes shot open. She’d obviously forgotten all about their plan.
“I’m sorry. I met Ken and Talia totally slipped my mind.”
She gave her signature puppy dog eyes and pouty mouth. It was her way
of getting out of trouble and, for some reason, it always worked.
    “Whatever.
I’m taking Talia home. This is a bust and God knows she’s
not having any fun around all of these lovebirds.”