White Lies Read Free

discussing, and you and Claire can do whatever you need to . ”
     
    He nodded .“ That would be perfect, if you do n’ t mind. If i t’ d be more convenient for you, I can have David take you back to your house, and follow when w e’ re done here . ”
     
    “ Please do n’ t , ” Claire said, and they both turned to look at her .“ Look, I’ m sorry to say this in front of your girlfriend, Alex, but I do n’t— I do n’ t want to go back home. I do n’ t want to be alone with Mom right now. Somethin g’ s going on, an d— fuck it, Alex, I’ m scared . ”
     
    He nodded .“ Of course. Have you seen Sophia? Have her make you a snack while I show Zoey to the guest room and get her settled . ”
     
    “I’ m really sorry that I’ m interrupting your night, Zoey , ” Claire said, and there was something about her eyes. This kid had seen more than she was going to let on in front of a stranger, but she needed her brother. No matter how horny Zoey felt, it was n’ t possible to be mad at her, not really.
     
    “ Do n’ t worry about it , ” Zoey said .“ Truthfully? If he told you to get lost so that he and I coul d— carry on our conversation, ther e’ d be bigger issues to talk about anyway . ”
     
    The gir l’ s eyes glowed with relief, and something else. Fright, maybe. And tears. Holy shit, what had happened to this poor kid ?“ Thanks , ” she said, her voice barely a whisper .“I’ ll go find Sophia, and I’ ll meet you in the living room, okay, Alex ? ”
     
    “ Absolutely , ” he said. His fingers stayed twined with Zoe y’ s as Claire disappeared down the hallway, and Zoey picked up her leather bag .“ This way , ” he said, leading her down another hallway.
     
    He led her into a guest room that was as big as her entire studio. It was as personal as a hotel room, but a thousand times more lush. The bedding was a deep shade of violet, with a duvet in chocolate brown, and teal accent pillows. There was a chaise with a reading lamp, and a desk, set up with pen and paper, but it was about the right height to be used for a laptop as well .“ Let me see your laptop , ” he said ,“I’ ll put in the wifi passwords for you . ” He set the laptop on the desk, waited while she punched in her own password, then connected it to his wireless .“ I rather ran us out before either one of us finished dinner. Can I have Sophia make something for you ? ”
     
    “ Sophia i s—? ”
     
    “ My housekeeper . ” She must have had a look, because Ale x’ s face got that quiet expression that Zoey was starting to associate with him choosing his words carefully .“ You wo n’ t be keeping her from anything; sh e’s‘ on dut y ’ for another half hour, and if I needed anything from her after that, she gets a hefty bonus, and she knows it. I pay her well, because she does excellent work, and my household would n’ t function without her . ”
     
    “I’ m sorry , ” Zoey said .“I’ m not trying to judge you, this is all jus t —” She trailed off.
     
    “ New to you . ”
     
    “ Yes . ”
     
    He stepped close to her again .“ Let me put this another way. I promised you dinner tonight. Then I took it away before you got to eat it. I’ m asking you to research something that could make your career even as I make it so that you feel you ca n’ t use it . ” His hands made a whispering sound over her sweater. She could practically hear conflict of interest on the air currents .“ At least let me help you out while yo u’ re doing it . ”
     
    Put like that, it was a lot harder to turn down. Mama would walk to New York City just to smack her if she heard about it, bu t— well. It was for one night .“ Sure , ” she said .“ I do n’ t know what I want, though. Something simple, I guess . ”
     
    “ Grilled cheese and soup? You look like you could use something comforting . ”
     
    “ That sounds great , ” she said .“ And maybe some coffee, if ther e’ s decaf