Page 98 of The Next Lie

“Go walk. Eat. Do…tourist nonsense. Come back in two hours.”

Sonny’s face lights up. “Okay…weird, but fun.”

“No,” I say.

Ever’s expression does not change. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

“Oh be so for real right now.”

Sonny snorts. “Maybe I should leave you two alone…”

Shiloh comes through the back hallway fast enough to make me turn. He stops behind me, places both hands on my shoulders, and starts steering me toward the door.

“What are you doing?” I demand.

“Encouraging enrichment.”

“I am not a kindergartner⁠—”

“No, kindergartners are easier to manage. They have schedules.”

Sonny hops off the stool and grabs her purse. “I’m taking her before someone gets hurt.”

I plant my feet. Shiloh keeps pushing.

“Shiloh.”

He leans close to my ear. “I have shit to do. Ever is closing the bar for a few hours while Nash handles meetings, and he’ll keep an eye from a distance. You and Sonny are going to go have fun like normal girls who aren’t actively trying to give me gray hair.”

I twist enough to look at him. “That was a lot of words for nothing’s going on.”

“Everything is fine.”

I groan. “That’s even worse.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Promise?”

Something flickers across his face and disappears before I can catch it. Then he lifts his pinky.

I stare at it. “Are you serious?”

“Deadly.”

“You are one of the weirdest men I have ever met.”

“High praise, considering your recent social circle.”

I hook my pinky through his.

His smile comes back, softer this time. “Pinky swear.”

I want to believe him. That bothers me more than the lie I’m pretty sure he’s telling.