Page 30 of The Liar in Room 5

“We are. Drew here agreed to go on a third date with me,” Henry said with a broad smile to the server.

She returned it with equal enthusiasm.

I wanted to melt into the ground.

“Sir, you’ve got great taste because,” she said, turning to wink at me, “he’s cute as hell.”

“Thank you?”

“Truth is the truth,” Henry chimed in.

“Here’s the menu for you to look over. Our wine, beer, and cocktail list is on the back.”

She handed me the leather-bound menu, opening it to the drinks before doing the same for Henry. Then she slipped away to help another table.

Henry hadn’t taken his eyes off me during the entire exchange.

Mine dropped to the menu.

Not even the drinks had prices next to them.

Everybody knew what that meant.

I couldn’t afford it.

A moment later, the server returned carrying a carafe of ice water.

“Gentlemen, I’ll let the maître d’ know so we can celebrate the occasion properly. What can I get you to drink?”

She set the water between us before looking at me first.

“Water is fine, thanks.”

“Can you give us a moment, please?” Henry asked.

“Of course. I’ll be back shortly. In the meantime, I’ll have some bread brought over for you.”

Henry watched her walk away before turning back to me once she was out of earshot.

“What happened to ‘water is ew?’” he asked before adding, “Although you definitely should drink it.”

“Turning over a new leaf.”

“Within five minutes?” He smiled. “Try again, and this time, be honest, please.”

His voice had taken on that patient tone, which I already knew meant he’d dug in and wouldn’t be letting go.

“Because there aren’t any prices on the menu.”

“And that means…?”

“It’s expensive. They don’t even tell you how much a Coke costs, so you know it’s a lot.”

“And you think I can’t afford it?”

“No.” I looked down at the table. “I remembered I can’t.”

“I invited you, so I pay. When you invite me, you pay. That’s how this works.”