About to answer, I saw all the half smiles and shut my mouth. With my plate full, I went into the living room and sat in a club chair. The others joined me, and we dug in.
“Lauren, this is as good as Gigante’s,” Weston said around his chewing.
“Oh, wow, thanks, Weston. That’s incredible praise. I ate there once, and it was the best dinner I ever had.”
“It’s true,” Manny agreed. “Johnny and I ate at Rao’s and Carbone, and we both thought Gigante’s topped them. And this is better.”
Having neither the money nor the inclination to eat at places where the bill cost as much as I took in as profit for a day, I stayed silent. It was as I feared. Another reminder that I didn’t fit in with these corporate types. Truth was, if Grady wasn’t my brother, I’d have already gone home.
“I don’t know about those places, but growing up, I had a neighbor who made the best Italian food, and this tastes just like hers.” Bailey popped a meatball into his mouth and licked his lips. “Just like Mrs. Russo’s.”
Like I believed him. I rolled my eyes, and Bailey’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong, Keston?”
With deliberation, I tore off a piece of garlic bread and chewed. “Nothing.”
Tension rose between us, but Lauren interrupted, defusing it. “How about a game? Two truths and a lie. That way we get to know each other better.”
God, this was torture. Was this really what rich people did at parties? Grady’s horrified face met mine, and I had to duck my head to keep from laughing. Okay, he was as uninterested in participating as me, but for his lady love, he’d do anything. And I went along because corny as it was, I’d do anything for Grady.
“I’ll start,” Weston said, rising to his feet, as Brenner snorted.
“You just love a chance to talk about yourself.”
Weston raised a brow and patted his boyfriend on the head. “You’re disqualified from playing, so hush.” He rubbed his jaw. “I once let out all the air in the tires of my college president’s car. I wore the same underwear for a week as a fraternity hazing, and I’ve never seen a single episode ofLaw and Order.”
Bailey bounced in his seat. “The underwear is a lie. And everyone has seen at least one episode ofLaw and Order.”
“I haven’t,” I volunteered.
Bailey rolled his eyes. “Okay, I take it back. I’m not surprised you haven’t.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I challenged him.
“Nothing.” Ignoring me, he turned to Weston. “Was I right?”
Weston gazed around the room. “Anyone else?”
“No way would you wear the same pair of underwear for a week.” Manny made a face. “That’s disgusting.”
Grady and I shared a look. “Sometimes people have no choice,” Grady said softly, and my stomach clenched.
“Well, Manny was right.” Weston pointed a finger at him. “All pledges were supposed to wear the same briefs, but I cheated and changed. So, Bailey, you were wrong. I’ve never watchedLaw and Order. You and me, Keston. Birds of a feather.”
My smile was faint.Oh, yeah. Weston Lively and Keston Harris. Destined to be best buddies.
Lauren clapped her hands. “That was fun. Okay, Bailey, since you were wrong, you’re next.”
Bailey, who’d left his seat to put his plate in the dishwasher, paced the room for a bit. He stood in the center with a mischievous grin. My lips twitched. He did have a flair for the dramatic.
“I won barista of the year at the coffee shop I worked at during college. I kissed my first boy at my high school prom. I’d never been away from home until I went away to law school.”
“Ooh. These are good ones.” Lauren’s brows scrunched together. “I think the lie is you were never away from home.”
“No way,” Brenner called out. “The lie has to be that he kissed his first boy at the high school prom. Bailey was a hottie. He had to be getting some early on.”
I snorted, and Bailey’s gaze rested on me. “You have something to say?”
“The coffee shop. I bet you didn’t have to work during school at all.”
