Page 21 of Before Broken Vows

She scoffs, “I just find it a little interesting that you have spare dresses lying around, and that you thought I should wear something left by other women.

I laugh, “A woman, not women.”

“Well, it’s not my taste. I’d never buy it. So whoever this belongs to is probably a real winner.”

I nod. “She’s amazing, actually. I love her.”

The look that comes across her face almost makes up for what she did. Almost.

“Oh, well I’m happy for you, Theo. Congratulations.”

“You know her, actually.”

“Who?” she asks, her eyes narrowing in on me. “Is it that redhead Irish girl that came around during the summers with her father?”

“What?” I ask, her being so specific catches me off guard. “No, they’re family friends.”

“The girl who works the front desk at your hotel? You know her tits and lips are fake, right?”

“Are they? I hadn’t noticed.”

“Oh please. Whose fucking dress is this, Theo?”

I take a sip of wine, savoring both it and this moment.

“Calli’s.”

Her face turns more red than the wine as her hands cover her mouth.

“Your sister’s?”

I shake my head yes. “I'll be sure to tell her what you think of it.”

The food comes. Lamb with roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and a Greek salad.

"My favorite," she says, smiling to Elena, who nods. Apparently, she didn't even take her own advice about something light.

We eat in silence for a few minutes. She pushes food around her plate. I cut my lamb like I'm carving through every lie she hasn't told me yet.

Halfway through dinner, she finally speaks.

"You're quiet now."

"So are you."

"I'm trying not to say the wrong thing."

"There are no right things."

She sets her fork down. "Is this how dinner's going to be?"

"No," I say, leaning back. "Eventually, you'll stop delaying and I'll get the truth. Then dinner will be over."

She exhales, long and slow. "I'm not ready."

"That's too bad."

She looks up, and her gaze is steel now. "You want answers? Fine. But they won't fix anything. They won't make this easier."