Page 35 of A Real Good Lie

“It’s fine,” Callahan said.

“Alright.”

“I should get cleaned up, too.” Callahan stood up and shifted, angling his back to Jace, and Jace hoped Callahan was trying to hide an erection because it would be cruel if he was the only one drowning in want.

“Wait.” Jace stood, unsure of what he was going to say now that he had Callahan’s attention.

“Yes?”

“Nothing,” he said, smiling and shaking his head. “Nothing. Sorry.”

Callahan looked like he didn’t believe him, but he didn’t push Jace to explain further. He went into the bathroom so quietly, Jace heard the lock on the door snick closed. Once he heard the water turn on, he allowed himself to relax, collapsing onto the couch with a stifled and needy groan.

It was going to be a long and frustrating weekend.

Chapter Eleven

Callahan is a Passable Liar

“I wanted to apologize,” Callahan said as they walked toward the elevator.

“What for?”

Beside him, Jace tensed. Callahan groaned inwardly, knowing Jace’s reaction was entirely his fault.

“For this.” He gestured to Jace’s posture.

God, the man dressed up nice. Jace was always attractive; the confidence he leaked just by existing in a room had been enough to trip Callahan’s triggers, but when he was in slacks and a button down? It was hard to not swoon.

“For my clothes?” Jace plucked at his shirt again, wafting that noticeably not eucalyptus scent down the hallway.

“For how you’re feeling. For the way I’ve acted since this morning on the plane.”

Jace made to stab the elevator button, but Callahan reached for it first, covering all the buttons with his hand.

“Can we talk before we go down?” he asked.

Jace stepped away and shoved his hands into his pockets. He took a breath and blinked, looking down at Callahan in silence.

“I want to apologize if I’ve been…”

“Rude,” Jace supplied.

“Rude.”

“Cruel. Abrasive.”

“Alright.” He held up his hands and dropped his head. “You’re right. I haven’t been the best version of myself.”

“Your first impression has been made, Callahan.”

“Two weeks ago, right?” Feeling bold, Callahan looked up and raised one of his eyebrows in question.

Jace straightened, squaring his shoulders. “Was that the real you?” he asked. “Or is this?”

“Did you know I was with Sebastian that night? He’d just left and I was getting ready to go, but decided to go to the bathroom first.”

Jace swiped his hand across his mouth.“You wouldn’t come home with me.”