Page 55 of Lying Lainey

“Okay, what if we cut it in half lengthwise and then cut the top half down the middle so there are two pieces with crust,” Halstead offered.

There was no way I could hold back my laughter at watching them figure out how to divide up this last slice as if it were some quantum mechanics equation to find the missing formula for the meaning of life.

Instantly, they fell silent, looking at me intently. “What?” I asked once I got my giggles under control.

“Did you get enough to eat?” Quintin asked. “Here we are talking about thirds when you’ve only had one serving. If anyone should be eating this, it should be you.”

“Oh no, I’m stuffed,” I answered, waving off his concern. “Really, I don’t normally eat as much as I did since I would have made one or the other, not both dishes. You three have worked way too hard to figure out how to make this work. I wouldn’t want to ruin the whole endeavor.”

Quintin’s face scrunched up in disapproval. “I’m sure this will sound rude, and I don’t mean it to, but please know there is no reason for you to diet on our account. While you are a physically stunning woman, to expect anyone to maintain that their whole life isn’t realistic. We work out and eat healthy to ensure our health is in a good place but not for any sort of vanity like the majority of people.”

Kerian groaned and dropped his head into his hands, his locks creating a curtain around his face as if he couldn’t bear to look at Quintin. “Quin, you don’t ever tell a woman what to do about their physical appearance.” Lifting his head, he looked at his partner with a slightly pained expression. “If she’s healthy, happy, and likes how she looks, then that is all we need to concern ourselves with. Also, I’d like to point out that even though you didn’t mean to, you just called her vain.”

“I did not,” Quintin snapped, then looked at me. “Did you think I called you vain?”

Taking a moment to compose myself so I didn’t end up on the floor from laughing so hard, I answered, “Some might have taken what you said as calling them vain. I, however, did not because I know you well enough to understand where you were coming from. As for what Kerian said, he is right in some ways. It’s best to keep your opinion to yourself when it comes to a person’s view of themselves. Then again, if they are doing something that will cause them harm, then you absolutely should speak up.”

“That makes sense, yet I don’t see how it would be wrong of me to tell you that I like more than just your body. No matter what we do, bodies will change, but your personality and intelligence won’t, and that I find even more attractive about you,” Quintin clarified.

“Good Lord, you three are good for a woman’s ego.” I chuckled. “Thank you, Quintin. I appreciate you saying that and meaning it… not everyone does. For me, it’s more of a checks and balances. I love sugary foods and munching on snacks if they are left out. Since I know this about myself, I try to keep a little more control over how much I eat during meals, knowing I will inevitably indulge in something else during the day. It’s as you say, to keep myself healthy and be more aware of what I’m eating.” This explanation seemed to appease the man as he relaxed into his seat, sipping the last of his tea.

“Lainey, could I steal you for a bit once we’re done here?” Halstead asked.

“Sure, it shouldn’t take too long for the four of us to clean up the kitchen, then I’m all yours,” I answered.

“Oh, you’re not cleaning up,” Kerian cut in. “You cooked, we clean… that’s the house rules. We even do it for Ruth since her work hours end for the night once dinner is done and ready to be served.”

Blinking at them for a moment, I relented as Quintin grabbed my plate and stacked it with his. “Wouldn’t want to break house rules.”

“That a girl,” Halstead said with a wink. “Now you get to come with me.”

“Wait, why aren’t you helping to clean up?” I questioned.

He looked at the other two then back to me. “They hate the way I do things, and no matter how many times they’ve tried to teach me, I never seem to match their standards. So I do the kitchen clean up once they are all done, like taking out the trash, sweeping the floor, things like that.”

“You must be really terrible then,” I reasoned as everyone nodded their heads.

Halstead got up and pulled out my chair, offering me a hand. “Shall we?”

“I don’t know… are you two sure you’re okay with this?” I asked, needing to be certain.

“Yes, go, we got this handled,” Kerian assured me, waving us out of the kitchen.

twenty-three

Lainey

Halstead escorted me through the giant maze of a house, pointing out various things or rooms that I’m not sure I’d be able to find again without some trial and error. He then led us outside via a side entrance that placed us on the driveway. It was like a cul-de-sac of garages or what I assumed were garages that almost looked more like stone cottages. The driveway was made out of brick which only added to the aesthetic.

“Where are we going?” I inquired as Halstead tugged me along after him.

“I thought while you’re here with us, it would be nice for you and me to get to know each other on a more personal level. We have the added challenge of being boss and employee, so I feel like I need to make damn sure you know who I am outside of that building. When we are at work, we work. However, the moment we clock out and get in our cars, we are Halstead and Lainey, a scent-paired couple,” Halstead explained as he typed the twelve-digit number into the keypad on the door to one of the buildings.

The lock beeped, then he turned the handle and started to push open the door. “This is my most prized collection, and not many people know about it. As I’m sure you’ve more than gathered, I like to keep my private life to just my family and close friends. The reason I’m telling you that is because if you were only a coworker or employee, you’d never know this existed.”

He pushed open the door, stepped to the side, and flicked on the lights. It took them a moment to warm up and blink to life, but when they did, I gasped. The whole building was full of stunning, mint-condition vintage cars. Blown away at the sight, I slowly walked the main center path taking in each vehicle’s beauty. There were some brands of cars I didn’t recognize, making me curious to know if they were imports or just that rare. I spotted one in a bright cherry red color that was a two-seater with the soft top folded back, revealing the cream-colored leather interior.

This little beauty looked sporty with its curves and bright coloring, drawing me to it. “This is gorgeous,” I whispered in awe.