Page 151 of Bound Lies

I’ve never had much of a conscience, but apparently, it likes to rear its ugly head the moment my brother leaves me in charge. I left him a few clipped voicemails earlier, asking him to call me, but my phone has been quiet most of the day, so I’ve decided he’s got until tomorrow morning to call me back. Otherwise, I’m going to seal this deal, with or without his approval.

On the way home, I swing by the Chinese takeout and pick up some food for dinner as well as a bottle of wine.

I feel guilty for how distracted I was when Riley called earlier to tell me about the internship, and I want to make it up to her.

She deserves to celebrate her good news, and I’ll make sure to show her how proud I am of her all night long.

When I arrive home, I find Riley sprawled out on the couch with her hair piled on top of her head as she scrolls on her phone. She looks up when the elevator doors ping open, and her face breaks out into a huge smile that makes my chest swell.

God, she’s so beautiful. How did I ever survive coming home to an empty apartment before her?

“Look what I’ve got.” I set the takeout bag and wine on the coffee table.

“What’s this for?”

I don’t answer. Instead, I lean in and kiss her.

It’s quick at first, but when her lips part, I deepen the kiss, slowly stroking my tongue against hers until she’s moaning at my touch.

“Congratulations,” I whisper when we break apart. “I’m so proud of you.”

She bites her lower lip to hide her smile, and I quickly kiss her again before heading into the kitchen to grab some glasses and plates.

I pour us both some wine, but when I hand Riley a glass, she sets it down immediately without taking a sip.

I lift my own glass to my lips and quietly watch her as she starts opening the takeout containers, the smell hitting us both immediately.

“Smells so good.” She starts plating up her food.

But after half an hour, she’s barely eaten anything, and her wine still remains on the coffee table, untouched.

“You okay?” I’m suddenly unsure of my choice of food.

Maybe we should have gone out to eat instead, somewhere fancy.

Is that what she was hoping for?

“Yeah,” Riley says a little too quickly. “I’m fine. Just… Lucy came over earlier, and we had a few too many drinks, so I’m feeling a little queasy. Nothing some greasy Chinese food won’t fix.”

I don’t believe her. The slight furrow in her brow and the faint flush on her cheeks give her away.

Something is off, but whatever it is, she clearly doesn’t want to talk about it.

“Are you home for the rest of the night?”

“I’m all yours.” I reach out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear.

She leans into my touch, and I gently stroke her cheek.

“Maybe we could watch a movie?”

“That sounds great⁠—”

My phone starts buzzing on the table, and one glance at the screen has my food threatening to come back up.

Ronan.

I get to my feet and snatch up my phone. “Sorry. I really need to take this.”