Scandal: The Lies We Tell (Volume 1) Read Online Free

brain had gone blank and I had to struggle to remember what the note had said. “You forgot to leave a number.”
       “I didn’t forget.” Nick shoved his hands in his pockets and lowered his voice. “I prefer to get my answers in person.”
       “Even if it’s a rejection?”
       He shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I never take no for an answer.”
       “So you really are just as cocky as they say.”
       “As who says?” He tilted his head just a little.
       “ The Daily Scandal , for one.” I was challenging Nick and he knew it. For his part, he didn’t take the bait.
       “People like to talk. The internet let’s them do that anonymously. I’ve got more important things to worry about than what the internet says about me.” Nick tried to sound nonchalant but I detected annoyance in his tone. “You’re not avoiding the question, are you?”
       I honestly didn’t know. He had given me the entire day to decide what my answer would be and I was still undecided. “Thank you for the flowers,” I said instead. “That was very sweet of you.”
       “I have my moments.” His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You still haven’t answered my question. Should I be worried?”
       A cloud passed over us, literally, blocking the sun momentarily. The sudden darkening was ominous. Nick’s face was more angular in the shadow and made him seem slightly dangerous, like his inner bad boy was being exposed. I had a weakness for bad boys.
       “Fine.”
       “Fine?” His eyebrows rose hopefully.
       “My answer is yes, I guess.”
       Nick laughed awkwardly. “Please, try to contain your excitement.”
       “I’m sorry. You’re right.” I was being rude and we both knew it. “Let’s give it a shot.”
       “I was hoping you would say that.” He gestured down the road in the direction from which I had arrived. “Let’s go.”
       “Let’s go?” I asked in alarm. “Like, right now?”
       “Sure. Unless you have other plans...” A quick smile that made it impossible to say no.
       “Okay, let’s go,” I agreed. “What’s the plan?”
       “What makes you think I have a plan?” This time his smile hinted of mischief and there was no doubt that he actually did have a plan.
       “So I’m just supposed to blindly follow you?”
       “It’s called trust, Charley.” Nick held out his hand. “So do you trust me?”
       I gave his hand a long look before cautiously placing my hand in it. “Don’t make me regret this.”
       I didn’t know what to expect as Nick led me down the street. He walked leisurely but with confidence, keeping up a steady stream of small talk. I wasn’t usually a big fan of small talk but Nick had a special charm in his demeanor that I couldn’t resist. Before sitting down for dinner, we had both run through our biographies and we were ready to tackle more serious matters.
       “How did you find this place?” I asked, looking around the bar. It was nearly empty and we were seated at a small table near the back, while four other patrons lined the bar. We were able to talk freely without anyone overhearing us.
       “My ex lived a couple of blocks over. I spent a lot of time in here when I needed to get away.” Nick took a long drink of his beer.
       “The ex-fiancé?” My interest was piqued. It was no secret that Nick’s recently failed romance had been the talk of the town. His broken engagement had made him the most eligible bachelor in Congress.
       Nick’s jaw clenched for several seconds before he nodded and said, “Heide.”
       I leaned forward and lowered my voice even though no one could hear a word we were saying. “Details please.”
       “What details?”
       “All of them. How did you meet? How long did you date? Why did you break up?”
       “At a charity event. Two years. And it’s a long story.” Nick tilted his beer at me. “Your turn.”
       “Fire away.” I leaned back