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“Like you did with my yogurt?” Natasha said, pursing her lips.
I shrugged, but she was right. “Okay. We’re even.”
“You won’t eat carbs anyway. Better not to waste them,” Natasha said as she polished off the pastry. “Running tomorrow?”
“I might have to go to Barneys tomorrow,” I said.
Natasha facial expression reminded me of winners of the lottery. “Oh. This is serious. But you need help. I’ll go with you.”
I bit my lip. I already didn’t want to go, but with Natasha it would be just that much more difficult. “I have a shopper.”
She rolled her eyes. “Stop being silly. This is the one thing I can help you with. You traveling?”
My mouth turned down. I leaned on the counter and rested my head on my hand. “Yeah. San Francisco.”
“Did he send an agenda?” she asked crossing her arms.
I shook my head. “No.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well then, he will have to pay for that mistake.”
I scrunched my face and winced. “Oh no, he will not. I was only getting a dress.”
“Forget it,” she said, glaring at me as she grabbed another pastry. “Do something about your face. I might have some cream that could help. I’ll leave it on your bed.”
I sighed. “If I go, you can come with.”
Collecting the photos I returned to my room and picked up my phone.
I wanted to send a text to Dani, thanking her for the basket.
Thank you. I’m feeling better.
I wiped my face and erased the message.Lying. I keep lying.My body shook as I typed out a new reply.
I’m not sick. I hit my head. Sorry. I didn’t want Jonas to worry. Thank you for the beautiful basket.I pressed send. Still lying. My phone buzzed.
“Lily, you fell? You’re hurt?” Dani asked.
I closed my eyes, the back of my throat aching. “Uh. Yeah.”
“I’ll come over. Maybe you should get checked out by the doctor,” Dani said.
I swallowed hard. “No. Please. I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine,” Dani said.
Tears squeezed out of the corner of my eye. “I am. I just fell. I didn’t want Jonas to worry. And I was… I am… embarrassed. I’ll be fine. So, thank you for the basket. I must go now. Thanks again.” I ended the call.
Staring down at the phone, I realized Declan was still hurting me. Every lie felt like another hit. I knew I should report this. Yet I was willing to help him instead. Every lie ate away at me. I’d been lying for years. I didn’t even think. After all, he was getting help.I can’t interrupt that.I didn’t want to destroy his life. Did he care he was destroying mine?
I rubbed my empty stomach. I should eat, but I didn’t have an appetite.
Telling Dani something close to the truth left a window for Jonas. This need for comfort and care was making me risk everything. And it was dangerous. In truth, I wanted and needed Jonas more than he wanted me. He didn’t set out to hurt me. Still, I was hurting.
My phone buzzed and my heart and thoughts raced.Jonas. Pain seared my chest There couldn’t be San Francisco or anymore with him. There was no time left and I knew what I needed to do. What I’d have to do.
“You fell? Get on the webcam,” he said the second I answered.
