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“But still, you can’t be sure—”
“I’m not reckless.” I hold his eyes. These lies are for his own protection. Already he
looks relieved.
I press on. “They should give me a few days outside. I didn’t tell my mom because she
wouldn’t want to risk it, but I—”
“Because it’s risky. You just said they’re not FDA—”
“They’re safe enough for a few days.” My tone holds no doubt. I wait, hoping that he
will swallow the lie.
“Jesus.” He drops his face into his hands and holds it there. When he looks up, it’s a
less obstinate Olly staring back at me. Even his voice softens. “You could have told me
this five minutes ago.”
I make my best effort to lighten the mood. “We were kissing! And then you were
getting angry with me.” I’m blushing from the talk of kissing and from my easy lying. “I
was going to tell you. I am telling you. I just did.”
He’s much too smart to fall for this, but he wants it to be true. He wants it to be true
more than he wants the truth. The smile that breaks across his face is cautious, but so
beautiful that I can’t look away. I would lie to him again for that smile.
“Now,” I say. “What’s under that thing?”
He hands me a corner of the tarp and I pull it aside.