Read Online Truth or Dare (Liar Liar #2) by C.A. Mason - Free Book Online

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    “Oh, things will work out for you two, I can promise you that.”
    I rolled my eyes, not caring whether he was offended by the gesture. “You can’t convince her to feel something she doesn’t.”
    “You underestimate my influence over my daughter. You forget I was the one who convinced her to give Jeff a chance.”
    I was getting pissed. “Yeah, and look how well that turned out. I think you need to back off and let me handle this my own way.”
    “Okay, so tell me what your plan is.”
    “I don’t have one yet. I’m still working on it.”
    “It’s not enough for you to simply be where she is. She’ll ignore you. She’s good at that.”
    I could tell the wheels were already turning in that manipulative mind of his. While I suspected I may regret it, I asked, “What do you suggest I do, Eric?”
    “You need to spend time with her.”
    “No shit.”
    He frowned at my response. “You need to furnish that apartment, you know. It’s empty right now.”
    “I know. I’ve got a call into Rosen’s. They’re sending one of their consultants over to have a look at the place a little later. They said they should be able to fix me up within a day or two.”
    “No, no, no,” Eric said, shaking his head. “That’s a missed opportunity.”
    “What are you talking about?” I was tired of his games. I preferred my interactions to be direct, and if anyone played games, it was usually me.
    “I’ll tell Maura to go with you to select furniture as a personal favor to me. She’s very good at that sort of thing.”
    “What makes you think she’ll go along with it?”
    “She doesn’t know that I know about the two of you, and she wouldn’t want to raise any red flags. She’ll go along with it.”
    I felt a little guilty conspiring with Maura’s father, but all was fair in love and war, and she was the one who’d thrown down the gauntlet. “Okay, that could work. Later today?”
    Eric looked at his watch. “Now. You can take her to lunch.”
    “How do you know she doesn’t have any appointments booked?”
    “I checked with her assistant before I came down here. I wanted to take her out for lunch, to get a feel for how she was handling the Jeff thing and let her know her mother and I would always be there to support her.”
    “I’m sure she would appreciate that.” I knew how important family was to Maura. Her parents were probably the reason we weren’t married. Acknowledging that only renewed my dislike for the man sitting across from me, but I couldn’t deny I needed his help, so I’d just have to suck it up and let him work his magic with Maura.
    “Good, I’ll go talk to her now. I’ll tell her to come down here when we’re done.” He paused with his hand on the doorknob. “You said you’re going to be in town for a few days at least?”
    “Yeah, why?”
    “My wife and I would love to have you to the house for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate the sale of our properties. Let’s make it casual, a barbeque, and bring your swim trunks. I’ll make sure Maura’s there too.”
    The thought of going back to the house where it had all started was daunting. Could I really continue this façade with all those memories rushing back to the surface? I had no choice but to respond, “Sure, that sounds great, Eric. Thanks for the invite.”
     
    ***
     
    Maura stood in the doorway of my office twenty minutes later, her arms crossed and her beautiful face twisted in annoyance. “You’re such an ass.”
    I grinned as I laced my hands behind my head and tipped my swivel chair back. “Well, hello to you too, angel. Long time, no see.”
    “My father just left my office. He tried to guilt me into taking you furniture shopping and to lunch!” She tapped her high heel on the hardwood floor. “I don’t appreciate being railroaded, Walsh.”
    She was so cute when she was angry. “If it makes you feel better, lunch is on me.”
    “It doesn’t make me feel better!” She stepped inside and