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“If I were to say yes, what would you do? Would you go into town and get a cop’s uniform?”

I look at her and laugh. “No, but I could possibly call L—” I stop. I was about to tell her something she shouldn’t know.

“You would call who?” She blinks at me in confusion.

“Nothing. I would just call or make an order on Amazon or something.”

“Hmm.” She narrows her eyes. “Were you going to say Lucinda?”

She sounds angry, and I put a blank expression on my face.

“No. Why would I say that?”

“Exactly. Why would you tell me you would call your other woman? Oh, my gosh! Is this something you’ve done before? Did you dress up as a cop with Lucinda?” she shouts. “Oh, my gosh, this is so disgusting! I think I’m going to puke. Are you really that much of a fake that you would tell me that you’re going to call some woman you’re seeing or not seeing or fucked in the past or whatever?”

“I have never fucked Lucinda.” I stare at her. “Trust me.”

“Why should I trust you? You say a whole bunch of things I don’t even know are true.”

“Lucinda and I have never been intimate.”

“Then, what was she calling you about the other day? And why were you about to say you were going to call her?”

I stare at her for a couple of seconds. I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to lie to her, but I know if I tell her the truth, then that’s going to open up a whole other can of worms. And I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

She crosses her arms and stares at me.

“Listen, Liam, I don’t know what’s going on here. I don’t care if you have a friend with benefits. I don’t care what’s going on in your life. I mean, if you have a girlfriend, a wife, or a fiancée, then I fucking care, of course. But, if you’re seeing someone else casually, that’s not going to stop whatever is going to happenbetween us. I’m an adult. I know these things happen, but I would rather just know the truth.”

Her voice cracks. “Please.”

As I stare at her trembling lips and her eyes that seem to be filling with tears, I know that I cannot keep this a secret anymore.

I run my fingers through my hair and take a deep breath.

“Promise you’re not going to get upset?”

“Oh, my god. Do not tell me she’s your wife and that you’re separated or some bullshit like that. Because I swear to God, I will?—”

“She’s my assistant,” I say, cutting her off.

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Lucinda is my assistant.”

“I’m your assistant, or I mean, Iwasyour assistant. Now, I’m your marketing advisor, or whatever you want to call it.” She rubs her forehead. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Lucinda is my assistant. She’s been with me for years. She’s based in England, and…”

“What? I thought your assistant quit. I thought that’s why you’ve been working with Skye and Juniper and Lila and why I had to work for you and why you’ve been doing so much at home because…” She pauses. “I’m so confused. Why did you need another assistant if you have an assistant?”

“There’s something you should know,” I say. “Something I need to tell you.”

“And, that is?”

“Look, I don’t want you to be mad, but…”

Then her phone starts ringing, and she grabs it.