Page 81 of It's a Date (Again)

“I’m stubborn,” Maya interrupts as she enters the kitchen. She places the flowers next to the sink and turns toward me with a smile. “How else was I going to size up these guys?”

I point at her. “I knew that’s why you planned this.”

“But.” She holds her finger up. “I know you’ve been struggling with figuring out who you love, so Robbie, Debbie, Anthony, and I are here to help. It’s a win-win.”

“How are you going to help?” I ask, throwing my hands on my hips.

“I’ve already got Anthony grilling them.”

“Maya!” I groan.

“I mean talking to them. He’s a great judge of character.” She raises her chin. “And Debbie will be able to sniff out the liar too.”

“That’s right,” Debbie says, strolling into the kitchen. “I got a nose like a bloodhound for lies.”

Robbie takes the bags of groceries from her and starts putting them away.

I gesture to the cake, wine, and flowers. “Wait, is most all this stuff for my surprise party?”

Debbie nods.

“You told me it was for a retirement party!”

She lifts her chin and smirks. “And you didn’t even realize I was lying. That’s why you need me to figure out who the liar is.”

My hands slip from my hips. There’s no getting out of this. It’s clear Debbie and Maya have their minds made up. Plus, everyone is already here. It’d be rude if I just left.

Debbie stands in front of me, staring into my eyes. “We want to help. That’s all.”

I sigh. “Fine,” I say. “But please no more surprises.”

She gives a firm nod in agreement.

“Hey,” a voice from behind me calls out.

Debbie’s face lights up, and she turns me around so I can see the person attached to the voice. Shawn fills nearly the entire doorway. I didn’t realize how tall he is. I guess because the last time I saw him I was laid up in a hospital bed. He smiles, but it’s not the big, bright smile I witnessed before. It’s small. Actually, it’s barely there. His face isn’t clean shaven either. It’s scruffy like he didn’t have time to shave.

“Hi, Shawn.” I smile.

“Can I talk to you?” His eyes bounce around before landing back on me. “Privately.”

“Yeah, sure,” I say, and I follow him down the hallway. He veers off into a guest room and closes the door behind me.

I turn to face him. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good,” Shawn says, but he wears a serious look, one that says,I’m not good.

Although he’s standing four feet away, it feels like we’re miles apart. Things have clearly changed since I last saw him, and I’m not sure why or how they could have.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Okay.” The word comes out slowly.

“I’ve been lying to you.”

I take a step back. My mouth slightly parts. He’sthe liar.

“No. Actually, I’ve been lying to myself.” Shawn’s gaze falls to his leather oxford shoes and then climbs back to me. “For a long time now.”