Why Lie? (Love Riddles #2) Read Online Free Page B

turning my way. “The house is great. I don’t miss living in an apartment at all. I have the whole second floor to myself so it’s more space than I’m used to, but I thought I’d see Julie and Dylan more since they’re right downstairs. With our work schedules I hardly see them. It’s like living alone but not.”
    Gigi comes down to pour Reilly a coffee and take her order.
    “Is Sydney working today?” Reilly asks.
    Gigi looks at me. “Getting Reilly to do your dirty work. For shame, Heathcliff.”
    Frowning, I argue, “I didn’t ask her.”
    Reilly’s eyes light up. “Why were you asking about Sydney’s schedule?”
    Lifting my mug to my lips, I take a sip before I reply, “None of your business.”
    She purses her lips and taps her fingers on the countertop. “I heard she poured a soda over your head.”
    I look over my shoulder at the filling diner. “You and everyone else in town.”
    She shrugs. “That’s the blessing and the curse of a small town; you get to have your neighbors all up in your business.”
    “Curse is right,” I mutter.
    She ignores my comment. “Speaking of business, who is handling the press release on the Commons project?”
    Grateful that she’s changed the subject, I reply, “When I get in, I’ll check with Derek and text you.”
    There’s a new complex of retail space going in on the east side of town. A new road and traffic signal need to go in before they can begin construction. Planning where to put the road and the signal is part of my job.
    “Thanks, Heathcliff,” she teases.
    I give her a look. There are only three people in town who use my full name, my parents, and they do it infrequently at that, and Gigi.
    “So, I’m guessing by what Gigi said earlier, that Sydney is avoiding you.” When I don’t say anything, she elbows me. “Well?”
    “It sounded like a statement. Or was there a question in there that I missed?” I reply.
    She inhales. “Why are you being difficult?”
    Gigi returns, my order in her hand.
    “Thank you,” I murmur as she slides it in front of me.
    Once she moves away, I return my attention to Reilly. “Look, I wasn’t joking when I said it wasn’t your business.”
    She lifts her mug. “What if I could help?”
    That piques my interest. “How so?”
    “First tell me why she’s pissed at you.”
    “Has anyone ever told you you’re nosy?” I ask.
    She gestures at herself. “I’m a reporter. It’s an occupational hazard.”
    “That’s an excuse if I ever heard one,” I mutter.
    “So, what’d you do to piss her off?”
    I shake my head, pushing my plate away and downing the rest of my coffee. “Still none of your business.”
    Gigi comes out with her food. As she places her napkin in her lap, she looks my way. “You change your mind, you let me know.”
    “Change his mind about what?” Gigi asks.
    “Nothing,” I reply, stepping off my stool and dropping some bills on the counter.
    “Help getting Sydney to talk to him again,” Reilly adds.
    Gigi grins. “See you at lunch, Heathcliff.”
    I walk out of Lola’s hopeful that Sydney is working the lunch rush.
    At work I’m distracted, spending more time checking the time than working. Other than following up with Reilly on her question from earlier, I haven’t accomplished much.
    When my clock finally shows twelve, I don’t delay in driving to the diner.
    Shifting my car into park, I scan the windows for a glimpse of her. When I don’t see her, my chest deflates, only to expand with the rush of my inhale as she comes into view.
    Her black hair suits her even though it confuses my memories of our time together. Blonde or raven haired, I’m undecided as to which I like more. Could be it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s her.
    I’m out of my car and across the lot to the door of Lola’s in no time. My feet are more sure than the rest of me.
    There’s a bell that sounds as I step through the doorway. It’s subtle normally, but today it seems much louder.