One White Lie: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book One by Jeannette Winters

everything.”
    And here is where it becomes more awkward. “That was a long time ago.” Or Friday night, depending if hot sex in the office counts or not.
    “Well, I’m glad to hear it. So tell that brother of mine I am going to be there at noon for lunch. I don’t want any excuses that he can’t make the time for his one and only sister.”
    “I’ll add you to his schedule.”
    “Thanks. It’s worth the try, right? What’s the worst thing that can happen? If he says no, we can do lunch and catch up.”
    Lena wanted to laugh, but she knew Zoey wasn’t joking. She liked Zoey, and they were not far off in age either, but having lunch with the boss’s sister, never mind who that boss was, wasn’t a good idea. Please don’t blow this off, Brice.
    Unfortunately, her gut was correct. Zoey arrived on time for a lunch date, and Brice blew her off without hesitation, using the same excuse he used for everything: “I’m in the middle of something critical and can’t break away.”
    Lena felt so bad, and Zoey was just standing at her desk, so when she said, or demanded, they have lunch together, there really was no way to back out.
    Surprisingly lunch was more relaxing than she had anticipated. The conversation turned to things she felt comfortable speaking about: local events happening in Boston.
    Lena had reached for her purse but knocked it and its contents to the floor, and that was when everything went sour.
    Zoey, being the sweet and helpful person she seemed to be, immediately got up and started helping her pick up everything. Lena could feel her heart pounding in her chest as the words were spoken. “I didn’t know you had a child. What’s his name?”
    Lena took the toy truck and children’s book from her. Lunch was a huge mistake. What have I done? The last thing she wanted to do was talk about her son. Not to anyone, especially not someone close to Brice. Her personal life was exactly that, personal, and she didn’t want anyone’s opinion on what she should or shouldn’t do. Not answering was only going to imply she was hiding something, so she had no choice but answer her. “Nicholas.”
    “I like the name. Guess I was wrong.”
    Lena arched a brow puzzled by her statement. “About what?”
    Zoey smiled. “I heard something in Brice’s voice the other day when we spoke. I thought . . . well hoped, that maybe the two of you had hit it off again, and maybe you were dating. I didn’t know at that time that you already had someone else in your life.”
    Oh my God. I don’t know what she thinks she heard, but it wasn’t about me. Unless it was anger, then maybe it was me. I can’t let anyone think there is anything going on between Brice and me. It will lead to questions I don’t want to answer. “No. We’re not seeing each other. That was a long time ago, and we have both moved on.”
    “Apparently you did if you have a son.” Zoey finished her soda then said, “I’m not so sure about Brice. When he was dating you, he was a different person. He smiled, laughed, and was a joy to be around. I actually thought he was going to marry you. I’ve never seen him look at anyone like that, before or since.”
    Are you trying to kill me here because it feels a lot like a knife to the heart? “He is a very busy man. I’m sure once this project is complete things will be different. Back to the way they used to be.” Minus me.
    Shaking her head, Zoey continued, her voice no longer holding the upbeat tone it had earlier. “I don’t think so. Something changed in a blink of an eye. He wouldn’t say what it was, so I’d assumed it was your breakup. If that wasn’t it, then I’m not sure if we will ever see the man we once knew.”
    Lena knew what that felt like. That breakup practically killed her, and she still wasn’t the same person she was then. And I’ll never be again. There were things that happened that permanently changed her. There were times she wished she could turn back time