The Perfect Liar (Last Stand #5)(69)
Author: Brenda Novak

" More news?" his mother said.

Kalyna toyed with the corner of the envelope she held. "Don’t worry.

This is good news. This is the kind of news that deserves a celebration."

"I hate surprises. Are you really going to make me wait?" she said with a laugh.

Kalyna smiled as she fell back on Luke’s bed. She and his mother were getting along so well. It was just one more sign that she and Luke were meant to be together. "I’d tell you, but I think Luke would want the honors."

"I’l act as if I’ve never heard it before, I promise."

Laughing, Kalyna hugged Luke’s pil ow to her. "Okay, but mum’s the word. Are you ready?"

"I’m ready."

"You might want to prepare for a small addition to the family."

"A baby? You’re expecting a baby? "

"Yes. A boy–Luke, Jr.–I hope. Can you believe it? That something so fantastic could come out of what’s happened these past few weeks?"

Silence. Then she said, "I…I don’t know what to say. I’m going to be a grandmother and I haven’t even met my son’s, er, my grandchild’s mother?"

"He’l bring me to visit. But we might want to get married first. You know, a quick trip to Vegas. Ever since he learned about the baby, he’s been in a big hurry."

"His father and I…well, we’re a bit old-fashioned," Robin explained.

"We’d like the baby to have our name. But we’d also like to be part of the wedding."

"I’l talk to Luke about it."

"Okay."

Kalyna sat up and withdrew the letter from its envelope. "You’re not disappointed I can’t say yes right now, are you?"

"No. I thought this would happen differently, that’s all. But…that doesn’t mean we’re not thril ed. If Luke loves you, we’l love you, too. No question. How far along are you?"

"Just a month."

She counted the months aloud. "So it’l be a February baby?"

"Yes. Just in time for Valentine’s Day."

"How exciting."

This woman was so trusting. She believed it all–and so easily. Kalyna supposed it didn’t hurt her credibility that she’d answered Luke’s phone at a time when ordinary guests wouldn’t be visiting. "I’l send you a copy of the ultrasound. I should be getting one very soon."

"I’d love that."

Kalyna ironed out the letter so she could read it. "Can you give me your address? Or should I just get it from Luke?"

"Who knows if Luke even has it? He drives here, but I don’t think he’s ever mailed us anything," she said. "Do you have a pen?"

"Just a sec." Kalyna hopped up and dug a pen out of the odds and ends in Luke’s drawer. "I’m ready," she said and jotted the address on the envelope of Phil’s letter. She finished it off by writing "Mom and Dad" at the top, then told Luke’s mother goodbye and stuffed the envelope in her purse. She’d definitely go down and visit them. Soon.

Chapter 27

It was Geoffrey. Ava stared up at him in shock. He was standing there with a Starbucks cup in his hand and his jaw hanging down to his knees. And she was lying naked with Luke and couldn’t get up without sacrificing their only cover. She’d never been at such a disadvantage in her life.

"Is this some kind of optical il usion?" he asked. "Because it looks to me like you just slept with…with this soldier boy."

Luke’s entire body had tensed the moment Geoffrey’s shadow fell across them. Ava could tell he was reluctant to confirm his nudity by standing up, but if he didn’t she’d have to or they’d be stuck cowering on the ground. Either he recognized that, or he didn’t want to be caught on his back in case Geoffrey decided to throw a few punches, because he relinquished the blanket to her, got to his feet and pulled on his pants.

Wrapping the blanket securely around her, Ava got up, too.

"Geoffrey, I…I–" She felt sick at heart. She was pretty sure she hadn’t cheated on him, but some warning would’ve been nice. She would’ve appreciated such a courtesy had their roles been reversed. But last night had…gotten away from her. She hadn’t thought of what she and Luke were doing as having any impact on reality. It’d been pure fantasy–that was all.

"Geoffrey. That’s good. At least you remember my name."

"I’m sorry," she said. "I didn’t mean for this to happen. I never expected you to come out here. You hardly ever do. But…if it makes you feel any better, I would’ve told you. I wouldn’t have tried to hide it."

"I can already imagine the conversation. ‘Hey, how’s work? Excellent.

By the way, I’m f**king another guy.’"

"Watch your language," Luke growled.

"You stay out of this," Geoffrey snapped. "You’re the interloper here, not me."

Luke’s eyebrows shot up. "I’m the interloper who’l lay you out if you don’t watch your mouth."

Ava put a hand on Luke’s arm to keep him where he was as she addressed Geoffrey. She didn’t need this to escalate into a fistfight. "I’m just saying I wouldn’t have lied to you, Geoff. I would’ve felt obligated to tell you that…that there’s no point in our seeing each other anymore."

He stepped forward but Luke warned him off with a wave. Luke obviously thought he was protecting her, but he couldn’t protect her from her own humiliation. She’d let herself down as much as Geoffrey. Maybe more.

Geoffrey scowled at her. "Who is this guy, Ava? Where’d he come from?"

"He’s a client."

"Since when? "

"Since…" Dared she say it? Honesty demanded she do so. "…this week."

He cursed, seemed about to stalk off, but immediately faced them again. "You’ve got to be kidding me!"

If Ava hadn’t been so busy holding up the blanket, she would’ve covered her burning face. She hated being in such an indefensible position.

She was never reckless. She was logical, methodical, coolheaded. Until it came to Luke…Apparently, she had a weakness for handsome men, just like her mother.

"This guy doesn’t look like a victim to me," Geoffrey muttered.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him instead of responding.

"I flew into San Francisco because all the flights to Sacramento were full. So I figured I’d stop by on my way home and surprise my girlfriend.

Isn’t that hilarious? Who knew I’d be more surprised than you."

"Geoffrey, I haven’t been your girlfriend for months."

"I stil thought of you that way. Maybe we talked about seeing other people, but I haven’t done it. And to my knowledge, you hadn’t, either."

"Only because we’ve both been too busy or too lazy or…something.