Read Online Truth Be Told by Victoria Christopher Murray - Free Book Online Page B

fear.
    He didn’t use the valet and instead parked his car at the far end of the lot. The entire time he lumbered toward her his heart pounded like a jackhammer.
    Pilar’s smile was warm enough as he approached. They stood, without words, in front of each other. It was an awkward stance, neither knowing what to do.
    Pilar leaned toward him. He wrapped his arms around her. They barely touched.
    â€œHow’ve you been, Conner?”
    He stepped back, swallowed, and nodded. “Great. And you?”
    â€œJust fine.”
    Conner opened the restaurant’s door, allowing Pilar to move in front of him. He frowned as she dragged inside, her steps taking effort. The hostess led them to a table near the front.
    â€œNot here,” he said, even though Pilar had pulled out her chair. He lowered his voice. “I’d prefer one of those.” He pointed toward the tables lined against the paneled wall.
    Pilar nodded as if she understood, and they followed the hostess. They waited until they were alone before they spoke.
    Pilar smiled. “It is good to see you.”
    He returned her smile but not her words. Conner opened his menu, and Pilar followed. Restless seconds suspended between them as they pretended to study the food choices.
    Over the top of his card, Conner assessed Pilar. He had been surprised when she said she had moved to New York, and seeing her now made him wonder why she’d left the city she once said would be the only place she’d called home. With her departure from L.A., she’d left much of herself behind. She was no longer the quintessential California girl.
    At the door, he’d noticed the way her mustard brown pantsuit hung on her much thinner frame. Gone was her smooth olive complexion, which had been a mix of her ethnicity and long summer days at Venice beach. Now she looked as if her blotchy-red skin never saw sun. Her blue-black hair, which once swayed past her waist, had been traded for a short cut that bluntly ended above her ears.
    But, it was her eyes that were most different. He remembered how they glittered and how he often caught himself staring just to see her irises dance. Now her eyes looked dark, almost blank, as if there was no longer any music to dance to. He wanted to ask if she were well, but it was difficult to press words through his throat.
    Pilar put down her menu, and Conner returned his eyes to his card. He could feel the strong glare of her glance. Still, he waited a moment before he put down the menu. “I was surprised to get your call.”
    â€œIt’s been a long time.”
    He glanced around the restaurant, then rested his arms on the table. “I was as surprised as when I walked into my office that morning and found your resignation.”
    She lowered her eyes. “It was the best thing.”
    He nodded, though he was sure she didn’t know how true her words were. It had all changed for the better the day she left. Thatmade him think of Grace. “My wife was elected to a council position last night.” He wanted her to know how good his life was.
    â€œI was there,” she said, and paused when he fell against the back of his chair. “At the hotel.” Her words came quicker as anger filled his face. “I stayed in the back. No one saw me. I needed to see you … and Grace together.”
    He frowned. He was filled with questions, but instinct kept him silent.
    Pilar said, “I have to tell you what this is about.”
    He nodded and pressed his lips together, thankful that she wasn’t going to make him suffer through minutes of chatter.
    Pilar’s water glass shook in her hand as she took a short sip. Then she slid her chair closer to the table. Her glance darted from him to the other tables.
    His heart returned to its frantic beat.
    â€œConner,” she started. “I don’t know how else to say this …”
    Suddenly, he didn’t want to hear. “Pilar, do you want