The Lies of Pride by Lily Zante

Author:Lily Zante [Zante, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lily Zante

Chapter Thirty-Five

CALLUM

* * *

Maybe I should have come yesterday, at least I’d have had a chance to escort Nina to night school. I push my plate away, the small victory I felt at tricking her so perfectly disappears. That said, I think she’s warming towards me. Lately, we’ve been getting on much better. I guess I’m disappointed that she has other plans because I was sure we could have spent a nice evening together. Not doing the kind of stuff I’m used to doing with a woman I like, but something simpler, something that Nina would feel comfortable with. She used to always be so defensive, so angry and irritated whenever I was around. I’ll take this new and improved level of our acquaintanceship.

I settle the bill and get up to leave when Frankie comes over. She asks if there was a problem with the food. “Uh, no, not really. I wasn’t hungry.”

She looks at me for a long time, as if she’s trying to figure me out. “Callum?”

I nod my head and grin. “Clever woman.”

She roars with laughter, then peers closer at me. “Unbelievable.”

“I had a bet with Nina.”

“I hope you weren’t trying to impress her.”

“I don’t think she’s easily impressed.”

Frankie makes a disapproving sound. “She’s not easy to work on, but that look is definitely not going to help you to impress her.”

“This isn’t the type of new man I’d aspire to be. I’m surprised you figured out that it was me.”

“Nina doesn’t talk to many customers, much less sit across the table from them. Besides, your eyes gave it away.” She looks me up and down in wonder. “It’s a miracle.”

“It’s a miracle that the make up department is at my disposal.”

She hangs her hands on her hips. “You did this for Nina?”

“I wanted to surprise her.”

“Boy, you are full of surprises.” She looks over my shoulder. “Seems like your trick worked. Good luck.” Before I can work out what she’s talking about, Nina appears in front of me. “Joni canceled on me.”

I silently thank the lord.

“I’ve got no plans, so if you’re still free, we could … hang out?”

“I’ve got no plans.” I’m about to shoot her one of my genuinely heartfelt smiles, but I rein myself back. “We could hang out.”

“Are you going out like that?” she asks, looking me up and down.

It’s going to take me a while to take all of this gloop off my face, and the fat body suit I’m wearing. But equally, if I keep this on, it’s going to be uncomfortable. Unless we go outside, for a walk. The upside is that nobody will recognize me. “Yes, unless you have a problem being seen with an old guy.”

“I don’t have a problem.”

We walk out, and I don’t even need to look over to see if Frankie’s staring at us. I can feel her stare on my back. She wished me ‘Good Luck’. I shouldn’t find it odd—given what I know of Nina, but it serves as a good reminder.

I

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