Page 47 of The Secret
“Didn’t he have an accent?”
“Not really.” I sit up, somewhat buoyed by her straight, analytical approach. “I’d say it was African of some kind, but to be honest it was one of those indeterminate accents you get with people who’ve moved around a lot or watched a lot of American TV when they were kids.”
“Okay, well why don’t you see if you can find a Dan Andrews somewhere else in Africa?”
“I’m starting to doubt that that was even his real name.”
She grimaces. “If he gave you a false name, Liss, he could have lied about everything.”
That’s the logical conclusion of all this. Of course, it is.
What we had was real, I want to say.I know it was.
I’m not a quitter. What else can I do but keep looking? Perhaps I’ve reached the end of the road with Boni, but there must be something I can do from here.
21
LISS
Saturday, July 20, 2019
The script tattoos run like chainmail all the way down Fabian’s arms, and stray curls have escaped from the messy bun on his head. How did Kate landthisguy? He’s got trouble written all over him with a capital T. But also nobody better matches the phrasesex-on-a-stick. There’s a knowing tilt to his body, the way he leans in when he talks with one of those smiles that make you want to hand your heart over to him on a plate. I watch as he winds his long, battered fingers through the leather bracelets on his wrist, leg bouncing under the table.
“So, you and Kate, hunh?” I say.
“Is that what this is?” He squints at me. “The best friend intervention?”
I laugh. “No, I …”
“Listen, I know I’ve put her through a roller coaster.” He blows out a long breath. “Believe me, I know. I’ve been in hospital more than any sane man should be. My behavior has been”—he runs long fingers along his unshaven jaw and leans forward over the café table—“at best, erratic.” He shakes his head. “But we’re good now. I promise.”
His eyes meet mine in a flash of silver, like a sword. Like a knight in armor.I stare down at my coffee. Did he slip something into my drink?
A smile curves over my lips, and I lean back in my seat.
“What?” he says.
“That’s not actually why I wanted to see you.”
He frowns away from me at the queue at the café counter. “Fuck. All that worry before I got here, and that’s not it? I’m not going to be given my marching orders?” The gleam of silver turns back to me, amused.
I slap his arm where it’s resting on the table. “Don’t be a numbskull. You think I have that kind of power?”
He squints out at the busy street again. “You and Jo, yeah. Yeah, I do.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “With Kate? About you? No. On other things, yes. But you, no. I’ve never seen her so invested.”
Something rolls through him and his gaze warms. “Fuck, Liss. It’s …” He presses his short-trimmed nails into the corner of his eyes. “I’ve never seen that kind of commitment, not directed at me.”
I grin. “That’s Kate. She’s a terrier. An ocean of caring and drive.”
He nods. “I thank God every day … She’s everything to me, Liss.” His eyes are soft now. “I won’t let her down. You have my word.”
His eyes meet mine and then his lips curl up in a shy grin … and oh, that look of his … Goddamn you, Kate. How did you lasso the sexiest guy on the planet? And make him settle down? She’s a quiet, unstoppable force.
“So why did you want to meet?” he says.
“I want you to find someone for me.”
