Page 35 of Let's Kiss and Tell

I take a deep breath in and think carefully about my next question.

“If feelings aren’t reciprocated,” I offer, “can you really say that anything ismutual?”

“I don’t believe in being blindsided. On some level, if you’re being taken advantage of…you know,” she says. “You’re a smart man, Mr. Oakley. In a relationship, a partnership, or a sexual agreement, if you’re being wronged, don’t you think you know on some level?”

My jaw clenches and I have no desire to continue this interview. I turn off the recording, pick up my phone, and close my notepad. “I think we have all that we need for today. Thank you for your time.”

“All right.” Christina looks pleasantly surprised. “Sounds good. Thank you both.”

Once Christina is out of view, I gather my things and head straight for my car with Lucy following behind me.

“Are you okay?” she asks, trying to keep up.

“Yeah,” I say. “Why?”

“I don’t know.” She stops, her hand over her eyes blocking the sun. “You seemed…triggered?”

“Why would I be triggered?”

“You tell me.” She stays in place. “There were like six more questions on the list.”

“If I need anything else, I can always ask for a follow-up phone call.” I pivot and continue walking to my car. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

7

Lucy

“Remind me to always upgrade my flight.” Jonah plops in his chair beside me. “No matter how much it costs.”

“Hey!” I spin from my laptop to face him. It’s been a week since we’ve seen each other but somehow it feels like a lifetime. “How was Vegas?”

“Vegas,” he says. “There was a woman who was literally eating her own foot on the Strip. Then the airline double booked my flight, so I was sandwiched between two people I know for certain don’t own deodorant,” he says, and I scrunch my face. “But work was great. Probably the smoothest music festival I’ve ever been to.”

“Wow,” I say. “Also, please never work from home ever again.”

“How were things here?” He turns on his desk monitor. “How was the rest of Jay’s party?”

“I am sad to report that I still have not spoken to Jay,” I say regretfully.

“Well, RIP Jay,” he says. “And okay, tell me more about this Marsh person,” he adds, reminding me of our phone call. “You were chatting with him at Gold Line…then what?”

Chatting with him is a little bit of an understatement.

“I’m, uh, kind of his plus-one to his ex’s wedding.”

“Wait, what?” Until this moment it seemed like Jonah was maybe half listening, but now I have his full attention.

“It’s a long story,” I say.

“Okay, well, tell it as we get coffee.” Jonah stands.

Immediately I follow him. “So, after you left, I ended up meeting Marsh, and we really hit it off. He was telling me about his ex’s wedding and how he has to go—”

Jonah makes a face. “Oh, that’s awkward.”

“No, totally,” I say as we get on the elevator. “And, you know me, I love a wedding—”

“You really do,” Jonah agrees.