Loving the White Liar by Kate Stewart Page B

on,” Alexis added with a laugh and a snort.
    Sabrina stiffened as she prepared to defend herself. “I like it, Mom. Screw you, Alexis. When is the last time you got action?”
    “In the courtroom yesterday, sasquatch,” Alexis defended.
    “Ladies, act your age,” my mother scolded before turning to Sabrina. “Then wear it your way,” my mother said softly as she diffused the situation then smiled at her daughter.
    It was the look she gave Sabrina that confirmed my mother meant her words. She wasn’t keeping score; she was measuring smiles. I knew then no matter what decision I made about my life, she wouldn’t let me live with it until I’d found what made me do that the most.

 
     

     
    I walked into my bedroom that night, grabbed my laptop, and looked up the location of the travel agency versus the address of the building of the architect as I weighed the pros and cons of each job. Money was a concern, but in the end, I took Jayden’s advice and was attempting to do “what made me happy.” It wasn’t long before I went with my gut. Being a flight attendant had always been on my list of possible career choices. Becoming a travel agent was the next best thing. I was off in the morning— Monday being our slowest day at the diner—and decided to make the call first thing to request an interview. I thought of Jayden, as I had the last twelve hours, and wondered if he was thinking of me. I knew our date went well, I didn’t wonder if he’d call. I just wondered if he had any sort of game to play or none at all. I didn’t want to over analyze, but I liked him.
    Jayden: I’ve been thinking about you all day, fishnipple.
    I gave it a minute or two before I replied.
    Me: Is that nickname really going to stick? I mean, it doesn’t even roll off the tongue naturally.
    Jayden: I disagree. Your nipple rolled off my tongue quite naturally.
    Both me and my sex moaned in agreement.
    Jayden: Sorry. Too much?
    Me: No, I was thinking of something clever to say but I’m too tired. I’m going for the agency job. Wish me luck.
    Jayden: I would but it’s already yours. Dinner tomorrow, my place?
    I smiled as I answered.
    Me: Can you cook?
    Jayden: Bring dessert. Seven.
    Me: :)

 

     
    I set my alarm and woke up the next morning to call the agency. As promised by Jayden, Adam welcomed my call and we set up an interview for noon that day. Adam was kind, but explained to me quickly that I would be working under his wife, Marcy. After a brief but thorough interview with the two of them, I was set to start the following Monday after I worked my two week notice at the diner. I was more excited than I had been in years. The pay was decent—more than I was making now—and there was the added bonus of fringe benefits such as travel discounts, which appealed to me more than anything. I started making a mental list of the places I wanted to go and quickly filled the passenger seat on the imaginary plane with the blue-eyed man who filled my thoughts. During the drive, I felt nothing but gratitude as thoughts of Jayden crossed my mind.
    In my kitchen, I prepared a strawberry rhubarb pie from scratch and spent the rest of my day waxing, buffing, and polishing every surface of my body. I wasn’t sure if tonight would be the night, but I was going prepared with no reservation. I didn’t want Jayden to think I was easy, and so far between my big “O” in his lap and my topless escapade at the pool, I probably wasn’t making a good impression of being a good girl. But with him, the attraction was undeniable. I’d decided to let him take the lead, and in all truth, he already had. Because if at any time on our first date he’d attempted to take off my clothes, I would have easily let him. And the truth was, I didn’t know him well at all.
    At five after seven, I knocked on the door in my prettiest sundress, made-from-scratch pie in hand. He opened the door and drank me in one sweeping movement, making me instantly