Page 21 of What Started In Deception

She shook her head as her gaze tracked around the room. “Nothing. You saved me a ton of work. Thanks to you, all I have to do is submit these to the office, and I’m finished for the year.”

“That must feel good.”

She nodded. “It really does. The next two months are pretty much mine.” She sent him a small smile. “Thank you, Ty.”

He smiled back. “No problem.”

“I could, um—I could buy you lunch,” she said as she sat up again. “There’s a food truck at the park that serves really great burgers.”

He nodded, recognizing that she was trying to do her part after their earlier conversation. “You certainly don’t have to pay for my lunch.”

“I don’t mind. It’s the least I can do.”

“Okay, then. Are we driving over together, or am I meeting you there?”

“How about we meet up? It’ll take a couple of minutes to get everything submitted to the office.”

“Sure.”

“Give me about twenty minutes. The food truck usually parks by the fountains. Right off Twelfth Street.”

He stood. “All right. I’ll see you there.”

She sent him another small smile. “Okay.”

Lydia sat across from Ty at one of the small tables close to the pretty fountains in the park, trying to feel as relaxed as he appeared to be. She took a bite of her massive cheeseburger as Ty bit into his.

“Mmm. This is really good,” he said around his mouthful.

She nodded, putting her hand in front of her mouth as she chewed, pleased that they’d grabbed one of the last tables with an umbrella as the lunchtime crowd stood in a long line at the truck. “They’re my favorite.”

“It’s not hard to see why.” He picked up his large paper cup as he swallowed his bite, taking a drink of the thick, chocolaty shake that he’d ordered. “What’s the seasoning they use on it?”

She shrugged as the warm breeze played with her hair. “I’m not sure, but it’s great.”

“Agreed.”

She snagged a waffle fry, studying his striking face and sexy muscles, still trying to get used to the fact that he was supposed to be her boyfriend. “So, where are your favorite places to eat in DC?”

“It’s hard to pick. I have several.” He went after his burger again.

“I imagine you don’t eat a lot of cheeseburgers in the park when you’re back home.”

He shook his head. “I’ve never eaten a cheeseburger in the park in DC.”

She smiled as he did. “So, what’s your real life like?”

He shrugged. “This is my real life.”

She frowned as she grabbed another fry from their basket, dipping it in the little cup of ketchup. “Nothing about this is real. Everything about this is smoke and mirrors.”

He jerked his shoulders again. “I’m authentic when I can be. With you, that’s pretty easy. I don’t need to keep my guard up because you’re not the scum of the earth.”

“But it’s still pretend.”

“I guess.”

Her frown was back. “We’re having lunch at the park. We’re conversing over a meal. For all intents and purposes, this should be a date.”