Page 73 of What Started In Deception

He shrugged. “Mostly, I eat a meal, catch a few Zs, shower and shave, then head out again.”

She frowned, not liking the sound of that at all. “Well, I love my house. It’s one of my favorite places to be.”

“I can’t blame you. It’s a gorgeous space that’s easy to sink into. I feel more at home there than I do at the condo or at my apartment.”

She beamed. “Aw, I love that.”

He opened his mouth to say something else as her phone alerted her to a text.

“Hold that thought,” she said as she plucked it out of the front pocket of her purse, wincing as she read Mac’s message.

Gram-Gram just shared some very interesting news about your recent visit to DC. There was talk of a handsome personal trainer. Apparently, he’ll be joining you at the compound?!?

“Great,” she whispered, feeling the quick rush of dread flooding through her body, knowing that the curtain was officially up on her and Ty’s act.

Ty glanced her way. “What’s up?”

“Mac just texted. She talked to Gram-Gram.”

He raised his brow. “I take it you’re going to give her a call?”

She nodded as she blew out a long breath. “I’ll wait until we get home.” Which now seemed much too close when she wanted to avoid the inevitable conversation.

Ty slowed, turning into her neighborhood. “It’s going to be okay, Lyd.”

“Mm-hmm,” she said, bobbing her leg up and down, hoping that the sick feeling in her stomach would go away.

And then Ty pulled into her driveway.

“Oh God,” she whispered as her heart began to race. “I don’t know what I’m going to say.”

He turned off the truck, looking at her. “Let’s get out. Come inside and talk to me.”

She got out with her phone clutched in her hand, not bothering to grab anything else as she followed Ty up the walkway.

He used his key, opening the door for them.

She walked in before him, heading for the living room, pacing back and forth instead of sitting on the couch.

Ty stood in the kitchen, watching her. “This won’t be any different than when you talked to your grandmother.”

She huffed out a laugh as she turned for another walk across the room. “And that went so well.”

“It did. You did exactly what you were supposed to do.”

She adamantly shook her head. “Mac is different. This is entirely different. She knows me, Ty. She knows every little thing about me. She’ll see through all the lies.”

He stepped in front of her, stopping her in her tracks, holding her gaze as he captured her hands in a firm grip. “Do you and I go out on dates?”

She frowned. “Yes.”

“Do we like each other and spend a ton of time together?”

She shrugged. “I’d say I like you most of the time.”

He grinned. “I think you like me all of the time.”

She struggled with a smile because he was right. “I probably do like you more than I don’t.”