Page 28 of What Started In Deception

She nodded. “In all honesty, I wasn’t devastated. I should’ve been, but I wasn’t. Sad, yes, but not the way that I would’ve been if he’d been the love of my life.” She touched her fork again but didn’t pick it up. “I heard from a mutual friend that he’s been dating someone for the last six months. I actually think they’re engaged.”

He frowned. “That seems fast.”

She shrugged. “I guess when you know, you know.”

“You’re not upset? Not even a little?”

She shook her head. “I’m truly not. I love my life just the way it is. I hope he loves his, too.”

“Good for you.”

“Thanks.” She fiddled with the edge of her napkin. “So, you don’t date at all?”

He shook his head. “Dating in my line of work is rarely successful. I have a friend with benefits thing with one of the agents I work with, but she and I are both so busy that it’s probably better to say that we’re friends who have seen each other naked a few times.”

She laughed. “Well, don’t let our imaginary relationship get in the way of your arrangement. I promise I will not be your friend’s cockblock.”

He laughed, enjoying the hell out of her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

She chuckled. “Our conversation took quite a turn.”

He shrugged as he still smiled. “It’s certainly been interesting.”

She took his empty plate, stacking hers on top of his. “Dinner was really good, Ty. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. We’ll have to think of something else to do. We can’t just keep eating together.”

“I imagine you’re right.”

He took a drink of his water. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since our conversation at lunch.”

“About?”

“This entire situation. About how we’re figuring this out as we go.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“I think if we want this to work, we need to enmesh our lives. We need to find plenty of ways to be involved in each other’s day-to-day.”

She nodded again. “That makes sense.”

He nodded this time. “My job right now is to get to know you—for us to make things feel less forced and more natural.”

“Finding that rhythm you were talking about.”

He nodded again. “Pretty much.”

She added their silverware and dirty napkins on top of her plate. “I was going to—I’m planning to go to Movie in the Park tomorrow night. It’s the first feature of the summer.”

He perked up. “That sounds fun.”

She nodded. “I think they’re playing The Goonies.”

“That sounds even better.”

She nodded again as she smiled. “I usually pack a picnic and bring some snacks.”

“You don’t mind if I tag along?”