Page 53 of Liar

“It’s expensive.”

“You’re worth every peso.”

I hide my frown. A dinner date with Eduardo, with him giving me doe-eyes and far more compliments than I deserve? It’s a horrible idea. Yet do I lead him on or hurt his feelings? Despite the beating, he’s still committed to performing. How do I let him down easily without sabotaging our partnership?

Wait ...“Dinner at El Torero sounds wonderful.”

His eyes light up.

“When?”

“Saturday night? How about after you close?”

I nod, then spring my surprise on him. “You know who loves El Torero? My friend María. She’s been wanting to meet you. You have a lot in common. How about we invite our friends? This way, it’ll be less awkward if you don’t like her or if she doesn’t like you?”

As I speak, his grin slips further and further until his lips draw into a tight line.

I feign ignorance, then send a little prayer up to the heavens that María and Eduardo fall fast in love and this awkwardness between my dance partner and me disappears.

Eduardo grows quiet and looks nervously away.

I pretend to misinterpret why. “You’ll love her.”

His attention lingers on the towel obscuring the security camera. It dangles from the hard piece of machinery, just like I’m dangling him along.

“Can I ask you for a favor?”

I bite my lip. Say yes and regret it? Or say no, and regret it even more? “Anything ... within reason.”

“Do you have room to store three large, burlap bags for me? Well, for my aunt? She cleaned out her closet ... spring cleaning. You know how it is. She asked me to find a safe place to store everything. The bags are in the back of my car.”

To say his request surprises me, is an understatement. No room? “How big are the bags?”

“Big. And heavy.”

I cock my head, confused. “From old clothing?”

“She might have added more than clothing.” He shifts back and forth on his feet. Nervous. But why? We rarely talk about his family. Is he embarrassed by my questions?

“Sure. I’ll wash everything for free—”

“No.” He sucks in a breath. “Don’t go to the trouble. My aunt doesn’t like people touching her things.”

So strange.

“Thanks, Luciana. Be right back.”

He turns, but I need to be certain we’re okay. “Hold on. There’s something else.”

Eduardo seems to shrink into himself. Like he hopes to avoid what I’m about to say. Like he senses I’m about to disappoint him.

“Thank you. Most people would have quit the competition after the injuries you received.”

“I thought you were about to say something else.” Eduardo visibly relaxes. “You wouldn’t have quit.”

“No.” I shake my head. “When I want something, I’m as tenacious as they come.”

“Yes, I know.”