Kiss Don’t Tell

‘By him. And the lesson was over.’

‘What were you wearing?’

‘My navy blue suit.’

‘And the other time?’

‘My navy blue suit.’

Erica pantomimed banging her head on the table. ‘So. Much. Becomes. Clear.’

‘Clothing is incidental in our case,’ Lane said, in her own defence. ‘I’m paying him, remember?’

‘If you really believe clothing is incidental,’ Erica said, ‘I want to know why we’ve spent the past three hours looking for something for you to wear tonight. At your instigation I might add.’

‘It’s … complicated.’

‘You’re a smart girl, Lane. I’m sure you can find the words.’

Lane took another sip of margarita. ‘Because the button-unbutton episode got me thinking, which is what a lesson is supposed to do.’

‘Thinking about …?’ Erica asked.

‘David Bennett.’

‘Did you know we all have a tell when we lie? Sarah’s is easy—she blushes. Yours is more subtle. Your eyes flick to the left.’

‘My eyes aren’t flicking,’ Lane said.

‘No?’

‘No!’ Lane insisted, and tried hard to keep them still.

‘Okaaay, keep going and I will ignore that little twitch of your right eyelid as it struggles under the pressure of not flicking.’

Lane took a deep breath. ‘The point is, clothing won’t be incidental when it comes to David, but with Adam … Well, with Adam practice will make perfect, so I might as well practise.’

‘Practise,’ Erica said, and licked a patch of salt off the rim of her glass. ‘So we went shopping for three hours because in three months’ time, when we will be in an entirely different season, you want to look good for David Bennett. It has nothing to do with seeing Adam Quinn tonight.’ She smiled. ‘Well, good to know the legendary David Bennett is still in the picture, anyway. I was starting to wonder. You know, since the only guy’s name I’ve heard since I got back is Adam Quinn.’

Lane frowned. ‘Of course David’s still in the picture. It’s just …’

Erica cocked an eyebrow. ‘Just …?’

‘Well you only got back last night. And ever since I told you about Adam, all your questions have been about him, so of course it’s his name you’re hearing. That’s all.’ She forced out a laugh. ‘There’s no mystery.’

‘No mystery. Got it. Just a job. Got it. Nothing more than a practice run. Got it. And you may or may not decide to wear your blue suit tonight and maybe just show Adam the dress because it doesn’t matter if he likes it or not and it’s no big deal if he doesn’t undo your buttons.’

‘Zipper.’

‘Zipper?’

‘The dress has a zipper, not buttons.’

‘Ah, I see. You’ve thought it all out.’

‘No. I mean yes. I mean … no? I mean of course I’ll care