Page 40 of Every Silent Lie

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m taking that as a resounding yes.” Dec nods toward the bar, and we both wander through the crowds to the quieter side. “Two dirty martinis, please.”

“Only champagne and beer are included in the open bar, sir.”

“I’ll pay.” He pushes his card across and faces me, making no bones about drinking me in, up and down. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you.”

He nods mildly, thoughtfully as he reaches for my cheek, stopping himself before he feels at it. Checking my cut, that’s got more concealer on it than I’ve used all year. “How’s it been for you?”

“This evening?” I ask, and he nods. “I could think of better places to be.” Like in a hotel bar, any hotel bar, with Dec sitting next to me talking about everything but nothing, being silent from time to time. Nearly kissing me again. “My boss roped me in. It’s been challenging.”

“How so?”

“I had a call with the company accountant today. It’s all a bit of a mess, and in truth, I’m not sure how to handle it.”

“What’s the problem?”

“My boss is shit with money.”

“It’s your job to handle the finances.”

“Tell him that,” I quip, virtually smelling the martinis as the waiter pushes them toward us.

Dec picks one up, takes my elderflower drink, and replaces it with my favourite. “Drink up.”

I reach for the other on the bar and hand it to him, and he shows his amusement as he takes it, holding his glass toward me. “What are we drinking to?” I ask.

Tapping his glass with mine, he comes close to my face, his mouth at my ear. “I’ll tell you later,” he whispers. It feels as if a missile could have hit me in the chest, the force of my exhale audible, as the warmth of his breath creeps across my skin. “Don’t leave without me.” A light squeeze of my wrist before he wanders away, leaving me a shaky wreck, my drink jumping up the side of my glass. It’s not long before I lose him in the crowds, and the loss hits me deep.

Don’t leave without me.

Liquor hits my fingers, trickling down to my wrist, and I dip to lick it up but stop myself. No. Placing the untouched martini on the bar and grabbing a napkin to wipe my hands, I start weaving through the room, heading for the ladies’. “Excuse me,” I mutter constantly, turning from side to side to squeeze through various crowds of people. “Pardon me.” I’m taking fairy steps in my heels, unable to walk with any pace. “Exc—” I stop dead in my very slow tracks when I literally bump into Thomas.

“Camryn,” he says, looking all kinds of awkward.

“What?”

“You’re leaving?”

“No, I need the ladies’. But I’m already over my promised time, Thomas. Is there anyone else you want me to bullshit before I leave?”

Laughter erupts from him, sending his body bending back. “Yes, yes, ha-ha-ha-ha!”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, yes, I’m very all right.” He clears his throat. “Camryn, this is Dec Ellis.”

My heart feels like it grinds to a stop in my chest as I cast my eyes to the left. And I stare at him. Just stare at him, as he stares at me, a drop of his martini left in the glass. “Camryn,” he says, his voice doing all its usual things to me, his hand extending. “What a pleasure.”

Ha. Ha.

So we don’t know each other? Right. Okay.

With slightly narrowed eyes, I put my hand in his, certain it’s not a good idea. And it’s not. Merely his skin on mine sets off tiny explosions across my body. It takes everything in me and more to keep myself steady and poised in front of my boss. “The pleasure is all mine.” Something scarily similar to a sickly-sweet smile breaks my pursed mouth without instruction, and a cocky one definitely ghosts Dec’s.